The return of legendary grappler Marcelo Garcia is set for Jan. 24 in Thailand, when he faces Japanese veteran Masakazu Imanari in a 10-minute grappling match at ONE 170.
Garcia confirmed the news to MMA Fighting after first announcing it on The Ariel Helwani Show. ONE 170 will take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.
The Brazilian icon, who is considered by many the greatest grappler all-time, will be competing for the first time since 2011, when he captured his final IBJJF gold medal with wins over Leonardo Vieira, Kron Gracie and Victor Estima.
“I wanted to come back in a big event, a big stage we’ve never had before in grappling.” Garcia, a a five-time jiu-jitsu world champion and four-time ADCC gold medalist, said in an interview with MMA Fighting. “It’s going to be great to have my kids watch me compete for the first time. Competition was always a big part of my life, and they never had the chance to see this because I took this break from competition. I want them to see me on a big event.”
Garcia has beaten some of the most dangerous grapplers in the sport. Weighing only 170 pounds, the Brazilian scored historic wins over the likes of Ricco Rodriguez, Gabriel Gonzaga, Andre Galvao, Demian Maia, Jake Shields, Robert Drysdale, Alexandre Ribeiro and Shinya Aoki.
After beating stomach cancer just over a year ago, Garcia, who turns 42 a week before the match, is not interested in just an on-off. He plans on competing more often and is open to facing all kinds of opponents, from legends to youngsters, but first wants to test the waters against a fellow veteran in Imanari.
“I don’t want to fight once and that’s it,” Garcia said. “I’m back to compete. All this time [since 2011], except during COVID and my cancer treatment, I never stopped training. I was always in the gym, training with my students every single day. I don’t think I’ve never missed a beat.”
from MMA Fighting - All Posts https://ift.tt/pjDvBbu
0 Comments
Dear valued readers,
I am writing to you today as LaPhezz, an international man of mystery with a passion for technology and a fascination for analytics. I have traveled the world and lived in many different places, and I have experienced a wide range of cultures and perspectives.
Despite my travels and encounters with countless people from all walks of life, I remain something of an enigma. My true identity is known to only a select few, and even those who know me well are often left guessing at my motivations and intentions.
As a tech enthusiast, I am always looking for new ways to leverage data and analytics to solve complex problems and make the world a better place. I believe that technology can be a powerful tool for positive change, and I am constantly exploring the latest trends and innovations in the field.
I am grateful to have such a diverse and engaged readership, and I am always eager to hear your feedback and insights. Whether you have questions about my work, suggestions for new topics to explore, or simply want to connect with a fellow tech enthusiast, I am always here to listen and engage.
Thank you for your continued support and interest in my work. Together, we can use technology and analytics to create a brighter, more connected world.
Best regards,
LaPhezz