Mica has finally broken his silence regarding the ongoing criminal case against his father Melqui Galvao by detailing the years of physical, psychological and emotional abuse he says he suffered.

In episode 33 of Unknown Pressures we continue to cover the ongoing Melqui Galvao case, including updates from people associated with Melqui and his team, namely Amit Elor (Olympic champion and mother of Mica's child), and 2-time ADCC champion Diogo Reis.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | As if his alleged crimes and abuse weren’t enough, Melqui Galvao’s attempts to silence his victims and pervert the course of justice have been revealed. Given unauthorized access to a cellphone in jail, he had been contacting victims and employees in an effort to manipulate witness statements, and his son Mica Galvao has been drawn into the situation after he was heard speaking with his father in a leaked audio.

We discuss all the latest updates in this ongoing case, including the fact that one of the victims has named a number of former teammates who she alleges tried to persuade her not to make a report. Shocking.

Also in this episode:

• Polaris 37: Team Polaris vs BJJ Stars update
• RIP Ulpiano Malachias, gone too soon
• Our TMZ moment: The Craig Jones-Kaz Crossley drama
• HUGE: RAF Wrestling announce Dillon Danis vs Khamzat Chimaev
• The art of promoting combat sports, and how UFC BJJ's formulaic product is it's greatest undoing
• Why athletes need to be cautious about which events they compete on
• The latest ADCC invites and what we've heard
• and more!

Episode 32 of Unknown Pressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague

Patreon: https://patreon.com/UnknownPressures | This horrific case has affected many, including the victims, the promising athletes left uncertain of their future, and, of course, Melqui's son, Mica Galvao.

As further details of Melqui's case come to light and more victim reports have been filed (taking the total number to 10), we fear that things will only get worse. Expect more cases, more accusations, more shocking details, and more disappointment that things of this nature could ever happen in jiu-jitsu.

The knock-on effect has been sudden and severe. The many lives of Melqui's alleged victims that have been damaged should never be overlooked, but consider the dozens of others also caught up in this case; the young, predominantly poor athletes who will suddenly lose their training, their accommodation, their sponsorships; Melqui's own son Mica Galvao, one of the most talented athletes of his generation who now is being thrust into the spotlight and put under unimaginable pressure from all angles.

In this episode we discuss the recent developments of Melqui's case, including the exodus from his gym BJJ College, the closure and ill-timed and ill-advised rebranding of the gym.

We also consider how this will affect ADCC, which stands to lose two returning champions in Diogo Reis and Mica Galvao, and possibly others from the same team.

Speaking of ADCC, a flurry of invites were sent out this last week, which has suddenly made the event look a lot more enticing.

In the Patreon-only section we cover the recent IBJJF Brazilian Nationals (Brasileiros), which proves that the gi is alive and well, and highlight the amazing performances of grapplers such as Tainan Dalpra and Andy Murasaki. Also, Matt and Hywel share their stories of cross-training judo. Matt's time in Japan saw him train with high-school kids and policemen in a very traditional atmosphere, while Hywel's had him cross paths with catch wrestlers and former Olympians. Judo rules.

Episode 31 of @UnknownPressures is out now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify and everywhere else.

Support us on Patreon for extended episodes, early access, bonus content and more!

Unknown Pressures is a jiu-jitsu podcast brought to you by two long-time industry insiders: Matt Benyon, the co-founder of Scramble and Polaris, and Hywel Teague, jiu-jitsu / grappling commentator and analyst.

Please leave us a review on Apple/Spotify Podcasts:

Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unknown-pressures-a-jiu-jitsu-podcast/id1838001583

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/61hk0ul9sltg2sKJyPNnjo?si=480898a6fb244b8a

Follow Unknown Pressures on IG: https://www.instagram.com/unknownpressures/

Follow Matt on IG: https://www.instagram.com/matthew.benyon

Follow Hywel on IG: https://www.instagram.com/hywelteague