Andre Galvao is one of the greatest jiu-jitsu athletes. His never-ending list of titles was recently topped off when he took gold in the heavyweight category. Admittedly, heavyweight category was bound for a change since Xande Ribeiro was absent from the brackets but all the controversy is attached to the finals and the referee decision. Here’s what Galvao had to say about it to Tatame:
“Listen, no one likes to lose, I think Jackson Sousa became dissatisfied because of losing the fight. This is normal. Learning from the result comes next… He didn’t pull guard, I didn’t want to but I decided to take it to the ground and take risks because we could be disqualified, the attitude made all the difference. By the time we started, he was at my side and judge said stop but there was screaming and no one heard the judge’s call. The central table saw that the judge had ordered to stop long before so it wasn’t worth the benefit. Jackson is an athlete that I respect, it’s hard and he had a great journey this year so he deserves congratulations. Thank God, my left arm was raised and I won another world title in the black belt division.”
On what changed in general since the disputed Worlds win
“More than 10 years apart was my first and this last win.. There is a huge difference in the general sense. The first was in Tijuca in Rio in a completely precarious structure, and the latter in a much better organisation. Before there was no internet, while this one had a pay per view online. The championship itself is much more structured in every way. Although there is no prize money, there’s always been the prestige of being world champion. Also, I have better sponsors than in 2005. In 2005, I finished all the fights and this last World Cup only one. What matter is that we’re champions and thank God I’m still on top.
On upcoming BJJ plans and a chance to return to MMA
I am negotiating with organizations for superfights but nothing is 100% sure yet. Now, my main focus is the ADCC 2017 in Finaland.
As for MMA he said
I’m open to proposals. There are organizations talking to my manager with interest but nothing is confirmed yet. I assure you, I am happy and feeling good about what I’m doing. But if an opportunity lines up, I will fall in – that’s for sure.
You can read the whole interview in Portuguese over at Tatame.
