Andre Galvao

By BJJ Fanatics, December 07, 2020

A true icon of the sport, Andre "Deco" Galvao has cemented himself in BJJ history as one of the most hard working and successful legends of the game. A black belt under Luis “Careca” Dagmar, Glavao has attained every coveted prize in the grappling community and boats an incredible competition resume that remains as one of the most impressive lists of accomplishments in all of BJJ. As the head coach of Atos, in San Diego, Galvao continues to produce champions and contribute to the art, both from the standpoint of an instructor and competitor. Galvao’s unrivaled passion for jiu-jitsu is evident in his teaching and his continued contributions to the BJJ community as a whole.

Andre Galvao Achievements

ADCC Superfight Champion (2013 - 2015 - 2017 - 2019)
1st Place ADCC World Championship (2011**)
1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2005 - 2008 - 2014*** - 2016 - 2017)
1st Place IBJJF Pans Championship (2005 - 2008** - 2006 - 2011 - 2013 - 2014** - 2016)
1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012 - 2013 - 2014)
1st Place CBJJO World Cup (2006)
1st Place IBJJF European Open (2015**)
1st Place CBJJE World Championship (2008)
1st Place Ultimate Absolute NYC (2011)
2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2009)
2nd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012* - 2016)
3rd Place IBJJF Pan American Championship (2016*)
3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2008* - 2013)
3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2007**)

Andre Galvao Biography

Born in Sao Sebastiao, São Paulo, Brazil, Galvao’s unique attributes were recognized early on in his first experiences with martial arts, specifically Judo. Later, taking his brother's advice, Galvao began to pursue jiu-jitsu under Luis “Careca '' Dagmar who eventually referred him to seek out the guidance of BJJ legend, Fernando Terere. Galvao quickly began to progress under Terere's tutelage, and after an incredibly impressive competitive run at purple belt, received his brown belt from Terere himself. Galvao would later return to his original teacher, Master Dagmar to receive the honor of his back belt.

Over the next several years, Galvao began to cement his legacy, winning multiple world titles, ADCC honors,, and for a brief period turning his sights to MMA, where he fought in high level promotions such as Strikeforce and Dream.

In 2008 Galvao collaborated with his good friend Ramon Lemos and founded Atos, one of the most successful teams in competitive jiu-jitsu in the world. The academy and team continue to produce champions and provide world class instruction to its members and affiliates.

In 2011, Galvao won his weight and the absolute at the ADCC world championships. An impressive and coveted feat for any BJJ athlete, and from there, continued to remain as an ADCC powerhouse. Galvao has won the ADCC superfight title 4x in a row, 2013,2015,2017,2019.

Galvao resides in San Diego with his wife Angelica and continues to train, teach and compete, continually demonstrating his incredible work ethic, will to win, and depth of knowledge he’s amassed over many great years of competition and intense study of the gentle art.

Andre Galvao Instructional DVDs

Galvao is well known for several incredibly strong attributes but his takedowns have always shined. His adaptations of wrestling for jiu-jitsu have served him well for years and his incredible innovations to the BJJ stand up game are among some of the very best in the sport. In this video, Galvao demonstrates a single leg takedown, perfectly adapted for BJJ. If you struggle with the takedown game (as many BJJ practitioners do) Galvao’s approach is incredibly efficient, simple, and easy to follow. He provides a perfect roadmap for BJJ takedown success.

Takedown Dominance by Andre Galvao

Attack highly effective takedowns with this complete class in no gi grappling takedowns, from six-time ADCC World Champion and six-time black belt world champion Andre Galvao. Andre is one of the best takedown artists in all of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and one of the best coaches the team leader of Atos Jiu-Jitsu, and now you can learn his complete takedown system on this four-volume series. These aren’t just wrestling takedowns, these are takedowns made for submission grappling with all of the submission defense and guard details you need.

Andre Galvao: The Stack Pass

The stack pass is one of those submissions that should be an essential part of every practitioner's arsenal. Few things feel better than being able to drive an opponent's feet towards their ears, nullifying their hips and being able to casually move past their best weapons (the legs and hips) with ease.

No one is prepared to show you that more than Andre Galvao. Known for legendary pressure and the ability to keep the old school moves relevant by demonstrating them over and over, successfully on the highest stages. It's time for you to know the stack pass better than you ever thought possible.

Andre Galvao Defending and Countering Pressure Passes

Pressure passing BJJ games are great for the person doling out the pressure, but for the poor soul who's in the process of trying to retain their guards, life doesn't get much worse. Being able to minimize the pressure from these types of players, defend and counter them is a skill that is coveted by all manner of practitioners from competitors to the average hobbyist.

Andre Galvao is a master of pressure and this puts him in a unique position to be able to share the secrets that only his direct students have been privvy to up to this point. Now you too can learn to stop and reverse the slow, grinding pressure of a great pressure passer. Also check another guide The American Jiu Jitsu Pressure Passing System by Jake Shields.

No-Gi Take Down Fundamentals by Andre Galvao

Knowing how to get your opponent's down is a sometimes lost skill on BJJ players, especially those who tend towards the No Gi version of the sport. Being able to tie up and control an opponent, without the luxury of ready-made grips in the gi make it one of the most undeveloped areas of any practitioners games.

Let one of the most successful No Gi practitioners in the history of the sport show you how he almost effortless takes down his opponents on the largest stages in combat. Keep your opponent's guessing and only delaying the inevitable takedown.

Featured BJJ Instructional Video: Reverse Stack Against Lapel Lasso

If you’ve ever been tied up in a lapel style guard, you know just how off-balancing and frustrating it can be to deal with one of these modern guard attack nightmares. The weaving of the lapel can be a real detriment to your guard passing efforts but fear not, Galvao has a phenomenal technique that you need to see. Here, we’ll find Galvao using a reverse stack pass to combat a lapel lasso.