Soon after Melqui Galvao’s arrest for alleged sexual assault of minors, the two ADCC champions and biggest stars from the team have started to distance themselves from their now former Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) coach.
In recent days, more disturbing details came to light about Galvao allegedly abusing at least three young students, including one said to have been just 12 years old at the time of the incident. There are also audio clips allegedly sent to one of the victim’s parents, with a voice being
attributed to Galvao heard apologizing and offering compensation in exchange for silence.
Diogo Reis leaves Melqui Galvao’s BJJ College after “unbearable” details, allegations
Diogo Reis, now 24, was one of the young phenoms that grew up under Melqui Galvao’s tutelage from a very young age. The two-time ADCC champion has now announced that he is outright leaving BJJ College after learning about more of the disturbing details and accusations.
“At first, I had decided to remain at BJJ College so as not to abandon the team, since the leader had been removed. However, the magnitude of the facts makes my continued stay on the team unbearable, as they go completely against my principles and values,” Reis wrote in Portuguese. “and for that reason I am leaving.
“During these years, I gained great knowledge and made great friends, whom I will carry with me for life, but now the time has come to follow my own path,” he continued. “I reaffirm my repudiation of any type of violence or abuse against women and children, as well as my solidarity with all victims of this type of crime.”
Reis also noted that he attended the 2026 IBJJF Brasileiros this past weekend to support his longterm training partners, but only as “friends” and no longer as “teammates.”
In his initial statement, Reis said he has gratitude for all the teachings and opportunities from Galvao, but called for his coach to be fully investigated because “justice should be served.”
Mica Galvao rebrands team: BJJ College has already ‘fulfilled its purpose’
Mica Galvao’s situation is a bit more complicated as his family is involved, but he seems to be taking steps to distance himself and the entire business from his father. Like Reis, Galvao’s initial statement included him rejecting “any form of harassment or violence against women and children” but noted that he is still “processing” the events at the time.
A few days later, and it seems like he has decided on his next steps. The 2024 Super Grand Slam champion has stated that BJJ College has already “fulfilled its purpose” and he will now be launching “Mika Jiu-Jitsu.”
“We are starting a new phase of our brand,” the Galvao wrote. “BJJ College fulfilled its purpose: Transformed lives, Built a solid foundation, Revealed athletes, Created opportunities.
“Now we enter a new moment. From now on, we are MIKA JIU-JITSU (MJJ)”
There weren’t much details, but the announcement sounded like a team rebrand under Mica’s leadership, instead of his father’s.
With Melqui Galvao’s authority and likely corporate ownership under the old “BJJ College” brand and gyms, it’ll be interesting to see if any of his ties and influence remain in this new MJJ business, and if they’ll be using the same facilities. With Reis leaving too, it’ll also be curious to see how the team is ran under Mica’s sole leadership, especially as the young 22 year 0ld also has a long competitive career to now balance with teaching and managing this massive gym.
It’s worth noting that when BJJ legend Andre Galvao (unrelated to Melqui Galvao) was accused of sexual misconduct, Atos HQ claimed that they’re investigating and removing him, with his 19-year-old daughter Sarah Galvao running the team instead. MMA Mania’s reporting showed that instead of having other business partners and decision makers like they implied publicly, Andre was actually the sole owner of the gym. After the initial wave of bad press, Andre Galvao has since stepped back into his same role as the full time coach and leader of the team.
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