- George Chung
- Nov 15, 2024
- 2 min read
A grappling icon is set to shake up the martial arts world as Marcelo Garcia, one of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s greatest legends, prepares to make his highly anticipated debut in ONE Championship. But before you label this as a “comeback,” Garcia wants to set the record straight—he never retired in the first place.
“I don’t know if people realize it, but I never retired. Never ever did I say the word ‘retired,’” Garcia told ONE Championship in a recent interview. “It was definitely a plan to take time off of competition for two different reasons.”
For Garcia, the time away was about rediscovering happiness through other passions. First, he poured himself into his gym in New York City, focusing on teaching and nurturing his students without the pressures of competition. Then, life threw him a curveball in the form of fatherhood.
“Once I had a kid, obviously, life turned upside down,” he explained. “I wanted to be the best I could as a father. So I took that time.”
Although the legendary grappler hasn’t been training for a specific opponent, he’s never stepped away from the gym. For Garcia, having a tangible target in competition has always ignited his drive to push himself harder.
“For the last, like, 10 years, I was not motivated to train hard because I didn’t feel like there was somebody training to beat me,” Garcia admitted. “But having a tough opponent kinda always pushes me. It gives me the discipline to get up and put in the work, even on bad days.”
Garcia’s decision to join ONE Championship wasn’t just about reigniting his competitive fire; it was about finding an organization that valued him as an athlete and an individual. He’s felt nothing but respect from ONE, especially with the involvement of Leo Vieira, a close friend and confidant.
“I just like to be appreciated,” Garcia said. “I feel like the appreciation from ONE Championship came at the right time. They value me. They value my time.”
Garcia revealed that he had offers from numerous organizations but ultimately chose ONE because of the relationships and the respect he felt from the promotion.
“If I wanna come back, I need to come back to an organization that values my work, my time, and my contribution as an athlete. That’s what I felt with ONE,” he added.
While fans eagerly await details about his debut opponent and date, Garcia has a simple promise: he will give it his all. He’s ready to inspire a new generation of martial artists and show the world why he’s considered one of the greatest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history.
“I just know and I can promise that I’ll give everything I have. When I say everything I have, I mean it. I’m prepared to deliver a match, a fight, that people want to see,” Garcia vowed.
The countdown is on for Garcia’s electrifying debut, and fans can rest assured that the legend’s return will be nothing short of spectacular. Get ready for a grappling masterclass as Marcelo Garcia steps back onto the global stage to inspire, compete, and dominate!
