Former UFC star and Atos affiliate leader Davi Ramos has broken his silence with a carefully worded statement supporting his longtime instructor. While notable competitors have rapidly departed from Team Atos and the San Diego headquarters has announced the separation of Andre Galvao and Angelica Galvao from organizational operations, Ramos took a different stance.
“In all these years working with Galvão, I never saw or heard any person making this type of accusation against him and we know the enormous quantity of male and female students who have passed through his hands,”
Ramos wrote in his statement posted on social media.
“During the entire period I trained with him, I never received any improper teaching. On the contrary: I learned about determination, intelligence and perseverance.”
Ramos made clear his position that individual actions should not define the broader organization or his own academy.
“What happened or what is still being investigated does not define who I am, nor who the Atos JJ team is, or what Atos JJ Rio is,”
he stated.
Alexa Herse, who trained at Atos since childhood, made public allegations describing a pattern of inappropriate conduct over six months, claiming that Galvao touched her inappropriately during training sessions and repeatedly commented on her body and appearance. Herse also alleged that when she approached Angelica Galvao for help, she was told to remain silent and that
“if it’s wrong, you have to at least act like it’s right. And don’t bite the hand that feeds you.”
Herse has confirmed filing a report with local law enforcement.
The response from the jiu-jitsu community has been swift. Bruno Frazatto, JT Torres, Dom Bell, Lucas Pinheiro, and Gustavo Batista are among those who have publicly announced their departures from Team Atos. In their statement, several competitors wrote:
“We are informing that we are no longer part of Atos Jiu Jitsu… I would like to say that we do not agree with and do not condone the actions taken by the team’s leadership.”
Atos Zurich also released a statement of support from head instructor Jonathas Eliaquim, declaring:
“I will stand by the Galvão family and not turn my back on them. Andre Galvao is an incredible champion, dedicated instructor, and man of integrity. These unfounded rumors do not define him or his legacy.”
That post drew immediate criticism online, forcing Eliaquim to disable comments.
Ramos tried to shield himself in his statement clarifying that Atos JJ Rio follows a Code of Conduct, with instructors and staff clearly aware of team principles and guidelines for acting with respect and professionalism.
“What I look to transmit daily to my students is quality Jiu-Jitsu and the certainty that the sport can transform lives, in addition to teaching each person to believe in themselves,”
Ramos wrote.
Andre Galvao has denied the allegations categorically, calling them “false rumors” and suggesting they originated from
“someone who recently left ATOS before this whole thing happened” with “a personal vendetta due to financial cuts and administrative decisions.”
The Atos HQ statement announcing the Galvaos’ separation from operations came only after days of mounting pressure and high-profile departures. The organization stated it is
“moving quickly to engage with a third party to investigate these allegations.”
However, questions remain about the feasibility of true separation, as California Secretary of State records show Andre Galvao listed as the sole registered agent for Atos Jiu Jitsu LLC.
Ramos’ statement:
It’s worth noting that Ramos has not been forced to disable his comments with the Brazilian fanbase population largely being supportive of his stance.
