Joao Pedro Bueno Mendes spent 16 years dreaming about becoming an IBJJF World Champion, visualizing that moment since he first stepped onto the mats at 11 years old. When he finally achieved it in 2025, the emotional significance required two weeks to fully process — the realization that his childhood obsession had materialized into black belt gold.

Now the 28-year-old Brazilian faces an even bigger stage. Mendes makes his promotional debut against fellow countryman Fabricio Andrey in a featherweight submission grappling clash at ONE Fight Night 40: Buntan vs. Hemetsberger II on Prime Video on Friday, February 13, live from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok. The opportunity represents everything he’s chased since winning his world title — competing on the biggest platform in submission grappling against one of the division’s most dangerous competitors.

“To be honest, I’ve always wanted to fight at the big stage like ONE,” Mendes said. “I think it’s the biggest stage in our sport.”

The transition from gi to no-gi competition came almost immediately after securing his IBJJF championship. Mendes recognized that opportunities in no-gi grappling — including potential super-fights and massive financial rewards — would allow him to maximize his career potential while the momentum from his world title victory remained fresh.

“I think right after I won the title, I started thinking about moving to no gi, because I know there are more opportunities to do super-fights and the money and everything is better in no gi,” Mendes explained. “It was my plan: win Worlds and then transition to no gi.”

Andrey presents the perfect test for that transition. The creative grappler brings an unpredictable style built on flying armbars, crazy throws, and submission attempts that materialize from seemingly impossible positions. His reputation for innovation makes him genuinely feared among featherweight competitors — nobody knows what’s coming until it’s already happening.

“He is very unpredictable,” Mendes said. “He creates things that only he can create. He jumps for flying armbars, he does crazy throws, so his style is hard to predict. He always creates something new. I think that’s why he’s so dangerous.”

History adds extra intrigue to Friday’s showdown. The two Brazilians met previously at the 2021 Pan American tournament, with Andrey emerging victorious. That defeat remains fresh in Mendes’ memory, demonstrating the lasting impact losses have on competitive athletes even years later.

“Yeah, we fought one time in 2021, a long time ago,” Mendes said. “You know the expression people always say: ‘If you beat someone, you’re going to forget, but if you get beaten, you’re never going to forget.’ That’s why I remember it. To be honest, I don’t think about revenge too much. I don’t think about trying to make it one to one. I just see a great opportunity for me to test myself in no gi, because I know he’s one of the toughest guys in the division and I always like a big challenge.”

Preparing for Andrey’s creative chaos has required comprehensive training with elite partners who can simulate different looks and challenges. Mendes has surrounded himself with high-level grapplers at his academy — Andy Murasaki as his primary training partner, along with Marlon Tajik, Ronaldo Jr., and others pushing him daily through grueling preparation.

“The guy I trained the most with is Andy Murasaki,” Mendes said. “We trained together, we’re drilling together, we do pretty much everything together. And Marlon Tajik is a very tough guy. He won double gold at the IBJJF Awards at no gi brown belt. He received his black belt, and he’s going to compete in the IBJJF Grand Prix.”

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