ONE X: Andre Galvao admits Reinier de Ridder ‘surprised me’ as pair battle to draw in submission grappling match
- Legendary Brazilian gives double MMA champ credit for ‘a great job’ after match ends in stalemate at Singapore Indoor Stadium
- Danielle Kelly also battled Mei Yamaguchi to a draw in earlier submission grappling action, and pocketed a bonus for her efforts
Andre Galvao did not get a submission victory against Reinier de Ridder at ONE X on Saturday, but looked excellent nonetheless.
Galvao, a decorated BJJ black belt, met the two-division MMA champion De Ridder in a 12-minute submission-only contest on the event’s lead card inside the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
The 39-year-old Brazilian, who is now based in San Diego, was the aggressor throughout the bout, first attempting to ground the action by pulling guard, then turning to single-leg takedowns when that failed.
He spent prolonged periods floating above De Ridder in top position, but was ultimately unable to find the tap.
“Reinier did a great job avoiding my game,” Galvao said. “I was trying to push the pace, I was trying to attack. He surprised me.”
It was Galvao’s first appearance in the ONE Championship Circle.
Surviving to the final bell with a grappler of the Brazilian’s ability was something of a moral victory for De Ridder – though the hyper-confident Dutchman is unlikely to ever admit that.