Another former Atos Jiu-Jitsu athlete has come forward with allegations against André Galvão, adding a new chapter to an already highly controversial story that has shaken the Brazilian jiu-jitsu world.
Andressa Simas, a longtime Atos team member until recently, publicly shared a detailed statement describing what she says were multiple inappropriate experiences involving the legendary BJJ champion and coach.
Simas is not an unknown figure in the competitive jiu-jitsu scene. A highly active competitor and current purple belt, she has represented Atos for years, winning numerous medals along the way, including major victories at the Brazilian Nationals and other prestigious tournaments.
Her statement comes months after previous allegations involving former Atos student Alexa Herse, whose accusations led to a San Diego police investigation. That investigation ultimately did not result in criminal charges, with authorities reportedly closing the case due to insufficient evidence to proceed. Galvão has denied wrongdoing.
Now, Simas says she experienced similar behavior.
Here is her full statement:
“Approximately 3 months ago, during the investigations of the ‘Alexa Herse’ case, because I had also experienced situations of harassment involving the person under investigation, I was called to give a statement at the police station. I tried to file an individual report, but at the station I was told it would be better to attach it to Alexa’s case.
At his house, in the presence of his family, I was touched in inappropriate ways without my consent. I tried to move away from these touches, but the behavior continued. I was also given a nickname with sexual connotations that immediately made me uncomfortable.
The following week, I received messages on my Instagram in vanish mode, including a photo of me working out along with comments about my body. This professor also stated that his own wife was asleep.
In the training environment, this professor would interfere with my training partners so that I would train with him, specifically during NOGI training, always focusing on back control and mount positions. I felt uncomfortable and pressured because I could not refuse, since he was ‘my professor.’
After all of this, there was a conversation between the professor, his wife, and my ex-boyfriend in which I was excluded, even though the subject was about me.
In that conversation, what had been done to me was acknowledged, and there was also an apology made to my then-boyfriend, although it came together with justifications.
The justification presented, not directly to me, was that this man supposedly had problems with alcohol and that when he drank, he would ‘get horny.’
During the period in which I remained silent, I faced distortions of the facts, attempts to discredit me, insults, including from the wife, and also threats related to my visa, precisely because I had spoken to the police.
My training partner, who decided to make this public first, was even pressured to sign a document where she would have to delete the Instagram post, withdraw the police report, and also stop speaking publicly about the case.
Countries have different laws, and while in one place a testimony is enough, in another it is considered merely a point of view. But the truth is only one, and we all know that between a purple belt and a multiple-time world champion professor, it is not hard to know where the pressure falls.
I am doing this because I believe situations like this should not be silenced, much less treated as something ‘normal.’
After everything I saw happen to me and to other girls, remaining silent would be a disrespect to myself, as a woman and as a human being.”
The allegations have immediately reignited debate across the grappling community.
The previous controversy involving Alexa Herse created a massive divide within Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Supporters of Galvão pointed to the lack of criminal charges as evidence of innocence, while critics argued that legal outcomes do not always settle broader ethical questions.
Now, Simas’ statement introduces a second set of allegations from another former athlete closely tied to the Atos environment.
At this time, André Galvão has not publicly issued a detailed response specifically addressing Simas’ claims.
As this story continues to develop, it is likely to remain one of the most talked about controversies in the BJJ world.
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