Grappling Superstar Andre Galvao Signs With ONE
ONE Championship has added another legendary grappler to its roster.
Brazilian icon Andre Galvao is the latest star to ink a deal with the world’s largest martial arts organization. He will compete in submission grappling and mixed martial arts contests on the global stage.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong officially announced the news on his social media accounts Monday.
“Please join me in welcoming Andre Galvao to ONE!” Sityodtong posted.
“A multiple-time World Champion, he is one of the greatest grapplers in history. His goal is to win World Titles in both MMA and submission grappling in ONE.”
Galvao is already one of the most decorated grapplers of all time, consistently earning top honors in both gi and no-gi competitions.
The fourth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt has won the IBJJF World Championship five times while claiming a slew of other prestigious prizes under gi rules.
In submission grappling, he won his weight class and the absolute division at the 2011 ADCC World Championships and has won the coveted Superfight at every event since — amassing six ADCC World Titles in total.
Galvao will also be returning to mixed martial arts after an 11-year hiatus.
The 39-year-old competed in the all-encompassing sport from 2008-10, posting a 5-2 record with one knockout and three submissions. He had been teasing a return to the sport before the official announcement on Monday.
Meanwhile, ONE has added other famed grapplers to compete under both rule sets, including Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida and Gordon Ryan.
In particular, a matchup between Galvao and Ryan would be a huge draw for fans. The two superstars have a longstanding rivalry that will come to a head when they square off at the 2022 ADCC World Championships.
However, it’s unlikely their feud will end there, and grappling aficionados would be thrilled to witness a showdown inside the Circle.
Galvao’s ONE debut has not yet been confirmed, so stay tuned to www.onefc.com for news and updates.
Read more: Where We Stand In The ONE Featherweight Kickboxing World Grand Prix
