One of the best pure grapplers and jiu jitsu fighters in the world today, Andre Galvao is a welterweight prospect currently signed to the DREAM and Strikeforce roster. Originally fighting out of Rio de Janeiro as part of the Blackhouse/Team Nogueira camp, Galvao recently moved his training to the United States and joined Team Wand to continue sharpening up his standup game and to serve as Wanderlei Silva's jiu jitsu coach. Galvao was a semi-finalist in DREAM's inaugural welterweight grand prix, and given his incredible grappling abilities and solid all-around athleticism is one of the most intriguing prospects in MMA.

An incredibly talented grappler and jiu jitsu practitioner, Galvao's ground game truly is world class and he's widely recognized as being one of the very best pound-for-pound grapplers on the planet today. Among his countless awards Galvao is a seven times Pan-Am Champion, a two time World Jiu Jitsu Championships Gold Medalist as a black belt (he's a seven time champion overall), and is a multiple times ADCC competitor (two third place finishes and a second). Galvao is incredibly dangerous on the ground with a systematic grappling game consisting of high level transitions, a very dangerous submission game, and a ground game that is tremendously fluid and complete. Galvao is excellent fighting off his back with sweeps and submissions (he immediately swept Jason High upon being taken down in the opening minute of their bout) and is great at taking his opponents back. Overall, Galvao's BJJ skills are so tight and refined that his ground game is absolutely in line with the very elite grapplers in mixed martial arts today. To get the fight to the ground Galvao is not afraid to pull guard and does have decent takedowns, namely a good shot and double leg (see bout with Mikey Gomez) but his grappling style is that of a BJJ player and he doesn't have a top wrestling game. Galvao does do a good job in setting up his takedown attempts as he will come out and strike for a bit and doesn't immediately shoot for the takedown like many top grapplers do. Overall, Galvao's pure ground skills are amongst the best in the world, but whether or not he'll be able to get the fight to the ground consistently remains to be seen.

Less than five fights into his pro career, Galvao is definitely still learning the sport of mixed martial arts. He's a developing striker but does show good standup potential - moving well on his feet, keeping his hands up and showing ever improving head movement. If all one knew about Galvao was his grappling background and jiu jitsu credentials they'd likely be surprised with the level his striking is at, and while he definitely won't be winning any K-1 tournaments anytime soon, he has made significant steps towards developing beyond strictly being a grappler. He has a good jab and overhand right, and mixes up his striking well incorporating good high kicks into his standup repertoire. Galvao has shown the willingness to stand in the pocket, displays good knees and clinch skills and has hurt and outstruck opponents with his standup skill in his early career (he actually outboxed Jeremiah Metcalf for long periods in his pro debut - see below). In addition, Galvao appears to be taking his MMA career very seriously, and did begin training with Wanderlei Silva and the members of Team Wand in order to continue sharpening up his striking and rounding out his skill set. Galvao has been hurt on his feet and dropped on more than one occasion in his career and will need to continue refining his technique and defensive skills, but his overall striking game is developing quite nicely. Galvao striking is progressing at a good pace and there's no reason to believe he shouldn't be able to develop a competent striking game to compliment his world class ground skills.