Mica Galvao wants to keep competing in the Gi despite Nogi BJJ rising in popularity

Mica Galvao is one of the youngest men to get promoted to the rank of BJJ black belt. With the emergence of Gordon Ryan, Brazil’s dominance is starting to waiver.

Ryan has been dominating the Nogi BJJ scene, and unlike most of BJJ aces he’s not competing in Gi BJJ. This has been a point of contention between Ryan and his Brazilian adversaries often.

Galvao is 19 years old and determined to keep competing in the Gi despite the fact that Nogi is getting more and more popular.

During a recent interview, Galvao was asked if he’ll still compete in both Gi and Nogi (translated and transcribed by bjjdoc.com):

“Yes, I do. For one reason. As Brazilians, we still have our tradition of wearing the gi. I think it will never be overtaken in the way of… I think Nogi will overtake the competitions, because if a laymen sees two guys without the gi, which is a little easier to understand, if most of Nogi matches are finished via submissions, it’s easier for laymen to understand.”

“So I think it will be adapted for the audience.”

“The commercial part. While the Gi will be more traditional, it will be the problem solver.”

“If you go to the US, you see a different vibe.”

Galvao wore a Brasil rash guard during ADCC appearance
Galvao wore a Brasil rash guard during ADCC appearance

Mica Galvao explains why Gi BJJ is there to stay in Brazil

 

“In Manaus we still had the mind that Jiu-Jitsu is only for trained. So we’re seeing that today we’re adapting Gi BJJ a little more to it.”

Galvao went on to stress that BJJ is a way of solving life’s problems in Brazil stressing:

“You have depression, go do Jiu-Jitsu, You have weight problems, go do Jiu-Jitsu, You have stress, you’re stressed from work, go do Jiu-Jitsu. You have a problem at home, do Jiu-Jitsu. So I think the Jiu-Jitsu and the Gi, and especially for the Brazilian people, because we really like the Gi, we have a special love. It’s something different for us. ”

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– Editorial staff of BJJDOC