André Galvão
The longest-reigning superfight champion in ADCC history
- Born
- September 29, 1982, São Sebastião, São Paulo, Brazil
- Nationality
Brazil- Height
- 170 cm (5′7″)
- Reach
- 182 cm (6′0″)
- Stance
- Southpaw
- Style
- Pressure guard passer
- Weight
- Middleweight, Medium-heavyweight, Heavyweight, ADCC -88 kg
- Active
- 1996–present
- Status
- Active · age 44
The record
BJJ Heroes record in major events, 2005-2022: wins by 73 submissions, 59 on points, 11 on advantages, 9 by referee decision; 5 of 28 losses by submission. BJJ Heroes notes some early black-belt matches are missing. Professional MMA record 5-2 (Wikipedia).
5× IBJJF World Champion, 2× ADCC (2011) + 4 superfight wins
The story
ndré Galvão started in judo as a child before moving to jiu-jitsu, and he won IBJJF world titles at blue, purple, brown and black belt in consecutive years from 2002 to 2005. He added black-belt world titles in 2008, 2014, 2016 and 2017; the 2014 title was awarded to him after the original winner failed a drug test. His best no-gi showing came at ADCC 2011, where he won both the under-88 kg division and the absolute, and he then won four straight ADCC superfights from 2013 to 2019 before losing the title to Gordon Ryan in 2022. He also fought professionally in MMA, including a stint in Strikeforce. In 2008 he co-founded the Atos team with Ramon Lemos, which became one of the most successful competition teams in the sport. His career has also seen controversy away from the mat.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- IBJJF World champion (2005, 2008, 2014, 2016, 2017)
- ADCC champion 2011 (-88 kg and absolute)
- ADCC superfight winner (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
- IBJJF Hall of Fame (2022)
- ADCC Hall of Fame (inaugural class, 2021)
Defining matches
- 2011WINvs Pablo Popovitch (toe hold, ADCC absolute final)
- 2013WINvs Braulio Estima (rear-naked choke, ADCC superfight)
- 2014WINvs Chael Sonnen (rear-naked choke, Metamoris 4)
- 2019WINvs Felipe Pena (2-0 on points, ADCC superfight)
- 2022LOSSvs Gordon Ryan (rear-naked choke, ADCC superfight)
Work Galvão's pressure passing: pin the hips, keep your head and shoulder heavy on the opponent's chest, and chain the over-under and knee-slice passes so every escape attempt sets up the next pass.
