André Galvão é aquele caso raro do cara
forte, rápido e técnico! Simplesmente essa movimentação com 1
minuto de luta pra cima do brucutu do toquinho.
https://t.co/1z9rgoVUFD
— Biaozinn (@biaobjj)
November 14, 2026
Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Russian wrestling and sambo have produced
some of the most compelling matchups in modern mixed martial arts.
That rivalry took center stage at the 23rd edition of ACBJJ in Rio
de Janeiro, where Brazilian and Russian grapplers squared off under
a variety of rulesets.
Of the event’s 20 matches, 11 featured Brazilians against Russians.
With the hometown crowd behind them, the Brazilians rallied late to
claim a 6-5 victory in the head-to-head competition.
In the main event, a rematch of the 2011 ADCC final, Andre
Galvao once again defeated Rousimar
“Toquinho” Palhares, this time under Battle Jiu-Jitsu
rules.
Galvao dominates Palhares in Battle Jiu-Jitsu rematch as Brazil
edges Russia 6-5
Palhares, nicknamed “Toquinho,” entered as the favorite because of
his greater MMA experience. He pressed forward from the opening
bell, looking to capitalize on his striking with punches and kicks
as Galvao circled along the edge of the ring.
Midway through one of Palhares’ advances, Galvao secured a
double-leg takedown and took complete control. He swept, passed
guard, advanced to mount and took Palhares’ back.
Palhares attempted a footlock, but Galvao, the leader of Atos
Jiu-Jitsu, defended the submission and continued his attack,
landing a series of punches to the body.
Near the end of the nine-minute contest, Galvao jumped over
Palhares’ guard, landing with both feet on his opponent’s abdomen.
With Palhares visibly exhausted, the referee stopped the fight and
awarded Galvao the victory.
In the co-main event, multiple-time world champion Rodolfo
Vieira made quick work of Andre
Sergipano in a no-gi matchup. Vieira secured a takedown,
advanced to mount and finished the fight with a kata-gatame, an
arm-triangle choke.
Another Battle Jiu-Jitsu matchup featured former
Ultimate Fighting Championship fighters Gleison
Tibau and Philip
Rowe. Tibau, a Brazilian veteran, defeated the American by
decision after controlling much of the contest from top
position.
Tibau secured an early takedown and maintained control for nearly
the entire match. Taking advantage of rules permitting strikes
below the head, he repeatedly landed punches to Rowe’s body.
Herdeson
Batista also delivered a dominant performance against former
UFC fighter and “The Ultimate Fighter” winner Kelvin
Gastelum.
Batista took Gastelum’s back twice and threatened several
submissions. Gastelum’s best opportunity came when he managed to
reverse positions and take Batista’s back, but the Brazilian
ultimately secured a points victory.
One of the night’s biggest highlights came from two-time PFL
champion Antonio
Carlos Jr., who energized the hometown crowd with a victory
over Ivan
Shtyrkov.
The Brazilian attempted a flying triangle, passed guard, took
Shtyrkov’s back and threatened a rear-naked choke. Although he
could not secure the submission, Antonio earned a points victory
and captured the All-Stars no-gi belt.
In another Battle Jiu-Jitsu contest, former UFC fighters Edson
Barboza and Rashid
Magomedov engaged in an almost entirely stand-up battle.
The two exchanged body punches and kicks throughout the match,
rarely attempting to initiate grappling exchanges. Magomedov
ultimately landed the more powerful strikes and earned a points
victory.
Despite the intense rivalry between Brazilian jiu-jitsu and Russian
sambo, the atmosphere behind the scenes was notably friendly.
Athletes and representatives from both countries interacted with
mutual respect throughout the event.
Held in Rio de Janeiro, the city closely associated with the
origins of the Gracie family’s jiu-jitsu legacy, the event also
attracted an impressive gathering of combat sports legends.
Among those in the VIP area were Jose Aldo,
Ronaldo
“Jacare” Souza, Fernando
Augusto, Carlos Rosado, a black belt
from Carlson Gracie’s first generation, and Leonardo
Castello Branco.
According to former UFC fighter Davi Ramos,
who helped promote the event in Brazil, ACBJJ is expected to return
to Rio de Janeiro in early 2027.