In the main event, Rousimar Palhares will face Andre Galvao in a rematch of their 2011 ADCC under-88-kilogram final, which Galvao won 9-4 in Nottingham, England. This time, the two will compete at 100 kilograms under combat jiu-jitsu rules.
In the co-main event, UFC middleweights Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira will meet at 88 kilograms under grappling rules. Another UFC veteran expected to appear on the card, though not yet officially announced, is Edson Barboza, according to information obtained by Sherdog.
Rousimar Palhares and Andre Galvao revisit 2011 ADCC final under combat jiu-jitsu rules at ACBJJ 23
The rematch between Galvao and Palhares brings together two accomplished Brazilian grapplers. Palhares, known as Toquinho, is renowned for his heel hooks, with UFC heavyweight Valter Walker citing him as a major influence.
Palhares competed in the UFC’s middleweight and welterweight divisions from 2008 to 2013, recording eight wins in 12 fights, including four by heel hook. The promotion released him after repeated incidents of holding submissions beyond the referee’s stoppage. He subsequently struggled to find opponents willing to face him in high-profile grappling superfights.
Galvao, meanwhile, is regarded as one of the greatest competitors in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history. A five-time world champion and six-time ADCC champion, he also had a brief MMA career, compiling a 5-2 record before returning his focus to grappling and coaching the Atos Jiu-Jitsu team.
Fifteen years after their ADCC final, the two will meet again, this time with strikes to the body allowed.
“Combat Jiu-Jitsu allows punches and kicks to the body, but strikes to the head are prohibited. The rounds are scored using the 10-9 system, with three criteria taken into account: impact, fight control, and aggression,” event promoter and former UFC fighter Davi Ramos told Sherdog.
Kelvin Gastelum and Rodolfo Vieira meet in 88-kilogram grappling match at ACBJJ 23
According to Ramos, the matchup between Gastelum and Vieira will take place under standard grappling rules.
Born in Rio de Janeiro, Vieira brings considerable grappling credentials to his matchup against Gastelum. He has won five Brazilian jiu-jitsu world championship titles and one ADCC title.
Gastelum, a former UFC interim middleweight title challenger, has faced several of the promotion’s biggest names throughout his MMA career.
The matchup pits Vieira’s decorated jiu-jitsu background against Gastelum’s wrestling experience, offering an attraction for both grappling and MMA fans.