The father and son team of Rafael Lovato Sr. and Jr. have put their names forward for the IBJJF World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship. 

The three-day event -- scheduled for August 24-26 in Las Vegas -- is the biggest tournament in the world for jiu-jitsu competitors over the age of 30, and last year attracted almost 4,000 registrations. 


Lovato Jr. is well known as one of only a handful of American men to have won a gold medal as a black belt at the IBJJF World Championships. He also completed the Grand Slam, winning Europeans, Pans, Brazilians Nationals, and Worlds in the same year (2007). 

Lovato Sr. is a respected figure in the martial arts world, having been instrumental in the development of jiu-jitsu in the state of Oklahoma. 

Junior will compete in the Masters 1 (30-34) super heavyweight division, while Senior will compete in the Masters 6 (55-60). Lovato Jr. has a very competitive division of 17 total entrants, while Senior will compete in a bracket of four. 

Watch 'The American' Rafael Lovato Jr. documentary  

Watch Episode One of 'The American'
​Watch Episode Two of 'The American'