Rafael Paganini is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Michael Langhi and Fábio Gurgel of the Alliance Academy, who represents Dream Art and worked extensively also with Eduardo Leitão and Max Trombini. One of the top medium-heavyweights of his generation, Paganini conquered a Brazilian Nationals title and multiple International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) medals in the colored belt divisions, prior to earning his black belt in 2019.