Palhares Faces Galvao In ADCC Rematch With Strikes

Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao will settle unfinished business from their 2011 ADCC final when they meet under combat jiu-jitsu rules at ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13 in Rio de Janeiro.

Galvao won the original matchup 9-4 in Nottingham, England, taking the under-88-kilogram title. Fifteen years later, the Brazilian grapplers square off again at 100 kilograms with body strikes permitted, Sherdog reports. The event takes place at Farmasi Arena, which has hosted multiple UFC cards.

What Combat Jiu-Jitsu Rules Mean For Palhares-Galvao

Combat jiu-jitsu permits punches and kicks to the body but bans strikes to the head. Former UFC fighter Davi Ramos, who is promoting the event, told Sherdog that rounds are scored on a 10-9 system based on impact, fight control, and aggression. Palhares built a reputation as one of the most feared leg lock specialists in MMA, recording four heel hook finishes across eight wins in 12 UFC fights between 2008 and 2013. The promotion released him after multiple incidents of holding submissions past the referee's stoppage, and he struggled to find opponents in high-level grappling superfights afterward.

Galvao brings a decorated resume as a five-time world champion and six-time ADCC champion in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. He compiled a 5-2 MMA record before refocusing on grappling and coaching the Atos Jiu-Jitsu team. UFC heavyweight Valter Walker has cited Palhares as a major influence on his own leg lock game.

The co-main event pits UFC middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira against each other at 88 kilograms under standard grappling rules. Vieira, a Rio native, owns five Brazilian jiu-jitsu world titles and one ADCC crown. Gastelum challenged for the UFC interim middleweight belt in 2019 and brings wrestling experience from a career facing top-tier strikers. Sherdog also obtained information that UFC veteran Edson Barboza is expected on the card, though his matchup has not been officially announced.

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• Sherdog — Rousimar Palhares & Andre Galvao set for ADCC rematch with strikes