Palhares vs. Galvao Rematch Set for ACBJJ 23 in Rio

Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao will run back their 2011 ADCC final at ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, this time competing at 100 kilograms under combat jiu-jitsu rules that allow body strikes. The Russian-based promotion unveiled the card Wednesday, headlined by the grappling rematch fifteen years in the making.

Galvao won the original meeting 9-4 at the 2011 ADCC World Championship final in Nottingham, England, in the under-88-kilogram bracket. The two have not competed against each other since. This time the rules shift the equation. Combat jiu-jitsu permits punches and kicks to the body while strikes to the head remain illegal, with bouts scored on the 10-9 system based on impact, control and aggression, according to event promoter and former UFC fighter Davi Ramos.

What does combat jiu-jitsu scoring mean for this matchup

The added striking element changes how each man can win rounds, since Palhares and Galvao both come from pure grappling backgrounds. Palhares, known as Toquinho, made his name in the UFC's middleweight and welterweight divisions from 2008 to 2013 with a heel hook game so aggressive it eventually got him released for holding submissions past referee stoppages. UFC heavyweight Valter Walker has cited Palhares as a major influence on his own leg-lock work. Galvao, a five-time BJJ world champion and six-time ADCC champion, is one of the most decorated grapplers in the sport's history and also went 5-2 in a brief MMA career before shifting fully into coaching Atos Jiu-Jitsu.

Neither man is known as a striker, which makes the body-shot allowance a wild card rather than a clear advantage for either side. Expect both to lean on takedowns and control first, using strikes more to open scrambles or pile up aggression points than to look for a finish with punches.

Who else is on the ACBJJ 23 card

The co-main event pits UFC middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira against each other at 88 kilograms under standard grappling rules. Vieira, born in Rio de Janeiro, carries five BJJ world titles and an ADCC title into the match, while Gastelum brings wrestling pedigree built over a long UFC run that included a middleweight interim title challenge. UFC veteran Edson Barboza is also expected to appear on the card, though that booking has not been officially confirmed by the promotion.

Betting Angle

Markets around crossover grappling cards like this one tend to be thin and move sharply once books open lines, so bettors should expect limited early liquidity on the Palhares-Galvao rematch. Directionally, Galvao's resume and his edge in the original encounter make him the presumptive favorite among bookmakers that post a line, but the body-strike wrinkle adds real uncertainty given that neither man has a proven striking resume. Palhares' history of imposing his will physically in grappling exchanges could make him live if the fight turns into a scramble-heavy affair rather than a measured positional battle. Anyone booking this fight should watch for weight and conditioning reports in fight week, since both men are now well past their prime competitive years in the sport that made them famous.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao rematch?

Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao meet at ACBJJ 23 on Nov. 13 at Farmasi Arena in Rio de Janeiro, rematching their 2011 ADCC final.

What rules will the Palhares vs. Galvao rematch use?

The rematch is contested at 100 kilograms under combat jiu-jitsu rules, which allow punches and kicks to the body but prohibit strikes to the head.

Who won the first Palhares vs. Galvao match?

Andre Galvao won the original 2011 ADCC under-88-kilogram final against Rousimar Palhares by a score of 9-4 in Nottingham, England.

Who else is fighting on the ACBJJ 23 card?

The co-main event features UFC middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira in an 88-kilogram grappling match, with UFC veteran Edson Barboza also expected to appear.