Felipe Pena Talks Historical Rivalry with Andre Galvão After Joining Team ATOS for CJI2

John Davis

2017 ADCC Absolute Champion and 2024 Heavyweight Champion Felipe Pena has been announced as a wild card competitor for Team ATOS.

Pena, who has long been a proud representative of Gracie Barra, received the blessing of Professor Draculino to compete under the ATOS banner since Gracie Barra does not have an official team in this year’s CJI format.

The announcement is particularly interesting given Pena’s history with ATOS founder Andre Galvão. The two competitors were once fierce rivals who faced each other numerous times on the competition mat. However, that rivalry has transformed into a strong friendship and professional relationship.

“Like me and Andre, we have a long history. We used to be rivals and we fought many times, but probably three years ago, we put that beef on the side and he helped me to train for a match against Gordon Ryan,”

Pena revealed in the announcement interview.

That training experience marked a turning point in their relationship.

“Andrea is a super cool guy, super great coach. He knows a lot of Jiu-Jitsu and he helped me a lot for that match. He really put his 100% time and effort to help me,”

Pena explained.

During his time training in San Diego with Galvão, Pena formed connections with other ATOS team members as well.

“I had a really good time. They have a really good training over there. It’s a great team and I make really good friends over there as well as Kainan and many other guys.”

Craig Jones even notably dropped by at that point and helped Pena prepare to face Gordon. Sadly the tragic passing of Leandro Lo overshadowed the event and the result. Pena subsequently lost to Gordon in a superfight at ADCC 2024 under dubious judging.

The CJI2 event will feature a Quintet format, which Pena believes creates exciting opportunities for unique matchups.

“The quintet for who is watching is amazing because you can see it’s very entertainment, it’s non-stop, you can see many matchups that you normally don’t see in a regular super fight events because they are from different weight classes,”

he noted.

Pena also reflected on another famous rivalry – his battles with Gordon Ryan.

“I’m happy with our history, with our rivalry. I won the first one, I won the second one at the ADCC and we fought two more times. The last one was in the last ADCC, it was a very tough match,”

Pena said. He acknowledged Ryan’s contribution to the sport:

“Gordon did a lot for the sport, he helped the sport grow a lot, especially in Nogi.”

Looking ahead to CJI2, Pena is already planning his preparation.

“After Aiga, my main goal will be CJI,”

he stated, referring to his upcoming matches at Who’s Number One and in Kazakhstan.

“One thing that I definitely plan to do is putting the wall pits right in one side of my gym, on side of my mat.”

While his exact training schedule isn’t finalized, Pena indicated he’ll likely spend time at ATOS headquarters.

“Probably going to spend some weeks there in the ATOS training with the team that they’re going to compete and getting ready for there. Maybe I go to Texas as well, a little bit to train at Draculino and his crew.”

With the growing roster of elite competitors for CJI2, including Victor Hugo joining B-Team as their wild card, the August event promises to deliver exciting matchups and high-level jiu-jitsu in a team format that fans have come to appreciate.

 

Confirmed Teams & Team Members for CJI 2 (Craig Jones Invitational)

The CJI 2 (Craig Jones Invitational) team line-ups are finally confirmed. With top grapplers from every corner of the globe and elite coaches leading the charge, the stage is set for an unforgettable showdown. Here’s the full breakdown of confirmed teams and team members for CJI 2, including 10th Planet, New Wave, B-Team, Atos, Australasia, Americas, Europe, and more.

🟣 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Roster – Coach: Eddie Bravo

🧠 Eddie Bravo brings a stacked team of veterans and finishers to CJI 2, anchored by Martinez and Boehm.

🔵 New Wave Jiu-Jitsu Roster – Coach: John Danaher

📍 Led by the legendary John Danaher, New Wave’s team is one of the most technical and dominant line-ups this season.

🔴 B-Team Roster – Coach: Dima Murovanni

⚔️ Nick Rodriguez and Victor Hugo, former rivals, join forces under B-Team in a must-watch pairing for CJI 2.

🟡 Team Atos – Coach: Andre Galvao

  • 66 kg: TBA
  • 77 kg: TBA
  • 88 kg: TBA
  • 99 kg: TBA
  • +99 kg: Felipe Pena — Wild Card Pick

🧬 With Felipe Pena confirmed, expect Atos to bring their signature intensity and technical excellence.

🟢 Team Australasia – Coach: Lachlan Giles

🌏 Australasia fields a well-rounded team with ADCC-tested athletes and rising talent.

🔵 Team Americas – Coach: Greg Souders

  • 66 kg: Deandre Corbe — 2025 Sapateiro Invitational Champion
  • 77 kg: TBA
  • 88 kg: TBA
  • 99 kg: TBA
  • +99 kg: TBA

🇺🇸 Team Americas is still finalizing its full roster but already shows strong promise with Deandre Corbe at 66 kg.

🇪🇺 Team Europe – Coach: Faris Benlamkadem

🌍 Team Europe’s depth in the heavier weight classes makes them a serious threat at CJI 2.

🟠 Team 8 – Coach: TBA

  • 66 kg: TBA
  • 77 kg: TBA
  • 88 kg: TBA
  • 99 kg: TBA
  • +99 kg: TBA

⏳ Final team yet to be revealed. Stay tuned for updates as more names are confirmed.

John Davis