Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao are two of the most successful and popular Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competitors in the world. They share the same last name, but are they related? This article will answer this question and provide some background information on both grapplers.
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Who is Mica Galvao?
Micael Ferreira Galvao, commonly known as Mica Galvao, is a professional grappler who holds the rank of black belt in jiu-jitsu under his father, coach Melqui Galvao, as well as a black belt in Luta Livre Esportiva (Brazilian catch-wrestling) under Master Totonho Aleixo. He was born on October 8, 2003, in Manaus, Brazil, and started training BJJ at the age of four. He is considered one of the most talented and decorated athletes of his generation, having won multiple national and international titles since he was a child. Some of his achievements include:
- ADCC World Championship 2022 -77 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2022 -82.3 kg gold medalist (later stripped due to doping violation)
- AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro 2021 -77 kg gold medalist
- AJP Grand Slam World Tour 2021 -77 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF Kids Pan 2017 blue belt gold medalist
- Copa Podio Orange League Event 2017 blue belt superfight winner
Mica Galvao is also a black belt in Brazilian grappling art Luta Livre and trains extensively in Judo and Wrestling to help his overall grappling game. He is part of the Dream Art Project, a program for young athletes supported by Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in the Amazonas region. He was affiliated with Cobrinha Charles over the years but has recently relocated to Miami to train with Team Fight Sports.
Who is Andre Galvao?
Andre Luiz Leite Galvao, commonly known as Andre Galvao, is a professional grappler and mixed martial artist who holds the rank of fourth-degree black belt in jiu-jitsu under Fernando “Terere” Augusto, as well as a black belt in Judo. He was born on September 29, 1982, in Sao Sebastiao, Brazil, and started training BJJ at the age of 13. He is one of the most accomplished and respected athletes ever, having won most major international tournaments multiple times. Some of his achievements include:
- ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship 2011 -88 kg and absolute gold medalist
- ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship 2009 -88 kg gold medalist
- ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship 2007 -77 kg bronze medalist
- ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship 2007 absolute bronze medalist
- ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship Superfight winner (2013, 2015, 2017, 2019)
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2017 -88 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2016 -94 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2014 -94 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2013 -88 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2008 -88 kg and absolute gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2007 -82 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2006 -82 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship 2005 -82 kg gold medalist
- IBJJF Pan American Championships multiple-time gold medalist
- AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro multiple-time gold medalist
Andre Galvao is also a former professional MMA fighter who competed in Strikeforce and DREAM. He has a record of five wins and two losses. He is the co-founder and head coach of Atos Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego, California, one of the most successful BJJ teams in competitive sport, and a coach to numerous world champions. He is the author of the martial arts book Drill to Win: One Year to Better Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In June 2022 he was inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame and in September 2022 he was inducted into the ADCC Hall of Fame.
Are Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao Related?
The answer is no. Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao are not related by blood or marriage. Galvao is a pretty common name in Brazil, and it is not uncommon for BJJ practitioners to share the same surname without being related. According to BJJ World, there are over 2000 registered BJJ black belts with the last name Galvao.
However, Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao do share a connection through their affiliation with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. As mentioned earlier, Mica Galvao is part of the Dream Art Project, which is supported by Alliance Jiu-Jitsu in the Amazonas region. Alliance Jiu-Jitsu is one of the most prestigious and influential BJJ teams in the world, founded by Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti, Fabio Gurgel, Alexandre Paiva, and Fernando Gurgel. Andre Galvao was also a member of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu from 2007 to 2008, before he left to form his own team, Atos Jiu-Jitsu, with Ramon Lemos. Therefore, Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao are both part of the Alliance Jiu-Jitsu family tree, although they belong to different branches.
Conclusion
Mica Galvao and Andre Galvao are two of the best BJJ competitors in the world, but they are not related. They share the same last name, but that is a coincidence. They do have a connection through their affiliation with Alliance Jiu-Jitsu, but they are not part of the same team. They are both amazing grapplers who have achieved great success in their careers, and they deserve respect and admiration for their skills and accomplishments.
