Galvao reveals rules changed after he accepted Palhares rematch with strikes now allowed

Andre Galvao will face Rousimar “Toquinho” Palhares under strikingly different conditions than he first agreed to, the Brazilian grappling legend revealed ahead of their ACBJJ 23 headline bout on November 13 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro. The rematch of their celebrated 2011 ADCC final will now permit punches and kicks to the body — a detail Galvao says he only learned after he had already committed.

“First they got my yes, then came the surprises,” Galvao said. “Later on they told me it would be up to 100kg (220 pounds); then that it would be nine minutes of fighting instead of seven; and finally they informed me that punches and kicks would be allowed.”

Galvao, 44, said a renewed competitive drive and an attractive offer from the promotion brought him back to the mat. The evolving ruleset drew concern from people close to him, but the Atos Jiu-Jitsu founder pushed back on the idea that striking represents unfamiliar territory.

“Several friends came to me and said, ‘You’re crazy, coming back right away against Toquinho and with strikes allowed?’” Galvao recalled. “The fact is that since I built my career more in Jiu-Jitsu and Grappling, the youngsters forget that I’ve already had seven MMA fights, and during that period I was training with champions like Anderson, Rafael Feijão and Ronaldo Jacare, so taking punches isn’t exactly something that scares me that much.”

Despite his confidence, Galvao is under no illusions about the danger Palhares presents. The former UFC middleweight is renowned for his devastating leg locks and exceptional physical strength — qualities that made their first meeting one of the most talked-about matches in ADCC history.

“Toquinho is a monster, he’s incredibly strong. I joke that I’m prepared to face a monster on Friday the 13th,” Galvao said. “That fight of ours in the ADCC final in London in 2011 is still considered one of the best in history. I’m sure we’re going to put on another great fight and make history again.”

Galvao won their original encounter 9-4 in the under-88-kilogram final in Nottingham, England. The rematch, now contested at up to 100 kilograms and with striking permitted, represents a considerably more complex proposition for both men.