Dante Leon submitted Mica Galvao in the absolute division at ADCC 2024 and that quarter-final match was one of the biggest moments of the event, but Galvao is now claiming that he used an illegal grip to do so. It was only the second time that Galvao had been submitted at black belt so it was always going to come as a surprise, but that was amplified by their respective performances earlier in the event. They both competed in the under 77kg division at ADCC 2024 and Galvao won the gold medal there, while Leon went out in the opening round in a shock upset.
It’s been about 10 months since that ADCC match took place but Mica Galvao has chosen to speak up about it now because he’s interested in a rematch with Dante Leon:
“The second fight I want to do… Dante Leon. We faced each other 3 times. I got two of them. I lost one. Won in WNO by decision at first, won second by points at ADCC 2022. Third was in the absolute of ADCC 2024 and some things need to be said. ADCC absolute happens after categories. Dante missed early Saturday in his category and had two whole days of rest. Not me. I had two wars on Saturday, two on Sunday, and 30 minutes later… got into the absolute. Didn’t enter for the title. Walked in through the audience for the commitment I made to you. I was happy. Had just won a super grand slam. I came in light maybe even off centered and that was a mistake.”
After setting the stage by sharing some background on their match, Galvao claimed that Leon used an illegal grip to secure the position that led to the finish:
“Dante came with a clear strategy, attacking my injured foot from (the IBJJF Pan Championship). He used an illegal grip on my belt to lock me in. I don’t know if it was intentional… but it helped get on the feet. I have been finished and I could not resist. Didn’t want to aggravate the injury and sit there for months.”
Galvao famously wears a black belt during many of his no gi matches and just like any other item of no gi clothing, competitors are not allowed to grab it. Obviously they would be allowed to grab it during a gi match, but not in no gi. Galvao also shared footage that appears to show Leon using the grip on the belt, and he followed it up by revealing that he’s been campaigning for a rematch for quite some time already:
“After this I asked for rematch. He turned it down. I know he got a contract with ONE (Championship) but will be fighting AIGA this weekend… So it is possible. I have a lot of respect for Dante but I hope we’ll meet again.”
Mica Galvao accused Dante Leon of using an illegal grip in a recent post to his official Instagram account:
