Weidman's ADCC opponent says the American won't surprise Anderson on the ground

Galvão was called up to help with Anderson's training for UFC 162. Photo: The fighter's personal archive

Chris Weidman he was a beginner in MMA when he competed in the ADCC, the world's main submission competition, in 2009. The American had only had two fights and had barely completed a year of formal training in jiu-jitsu when he went to Barcelona to compete in the traditional no-gi tournament and attract the attention of Brazilians for the first time.

On that occasion, Weidman was eliminated in the quarter-finals after being defeated by André Galvão, world jiu-jitsu champion at all belts and current ADCC champion in both weight and absolute. Despite the defeat, the American did a lot of work for the Brazilian, considered by many to be one of the best fighters in the history of the gentle art.

In an interview with Combate.com, Galvão, who is helping Anderson Silva in training to face Weidman at UFC 162, he recalled the duel from four years ago, praised the American, but said that the UFC middleweight champion should not be surprised.

“When I fought him, it was a very tough fight. He's a strong guy, good at wrestling, and I felt that he has a very strong position, he really likes to do the hand triangle passing the guard to the right side”, commented Galvão, partner of Ramon Lemos, Anderson's main coach, at Atos Jiu-Jitsu. “I don’t think he will surprise Anderson on the ground. Unless something happens that we don't expect, like a hand coming in, because a fight is a fight... But what we're going to tell Anderson to do is stay calm, as I don't think there's anything exuberant enough to surprise him and take the title although. I think his only way is on the ground, but the rounds last five minutes, so it's very little time for the guy to exercise all his technique on Anderson, who is a jiu-jitsu black belt.”

UFC 162 takes place on July 6th at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. In addition to Anderson's middleweight title defense against Weidman, five other Brazilians will be in action in the Octagon: Roger gracie, Charles of the Bronx, Gabriel Napao, Edson Barboza e Rafaello Tractor.