After a 15-year hiatus from competition, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia has revealed his decision to join ONE Championship was influenced by their recognition of his value as an athlete.
The five-time IBJJF World Champion and four-time ADCC World Champion, widely regarded as one of the most talented grapplers in history, emphasized the importance of feeling appreciated in his decision-making process.
“I just like to be appreciated. I spent so much time in jiu-jitsu. In competition. I feel I always have given my best, and I feel like the appreciation from ONE Championship came at the right time. They value me. They value my time,” Garcia explained to ONE FC.
“And reality is I can name every organization that was trying to convince me to go compete. But then ONE, especially with Leozinho, Leo Vieira is somebody that is close to me, close to my family. He came in for us.”
“If I wanna come back, I need to come back to an organization that values my work, that values my time, that appreciates the athlete. And that’s what I felt with ONE.”
The 41-year-old grappling icon, who last competed in 2011 when he secured gold at the ADCC World Championships, has spent recent years focused on teaching and family life. In early 2023, he faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, undergoing eight chemotherapy sessions before returning to full health.
Garcia’s choice to sign with ONE Championship was notably influenced by his relationship with ONE Vice President of Submission Grappling, Leo Vieira. “ONE, especially with Leozinho, Leo Vieira is somebody that is close to me, close to my family. He came in for us,” Garcia shared.
The Brazilian master emphasized the importance of joining an organization that properly values its athletes: “If I wanna come back, I need to come back to an organization that values my work, that values my time, that appreciates the athlete. And that’s what I felt with ONE.”
As he prepares for his return to competition, Garcia has promised fans a performance worthy of his legendary status. “I just know and I can promise that I’ll give everything I have. When I say everything I have, I know I’m gonna give my best, no matter what. I’m prepared to give a match that people want to see.”
Many in the BJJ community side eye the move considering ONE FC has a lot of financial issues. The promotion has been struggling to secure a new round of financing and has kept much of their talent benched – including BJJ World Champion Record Holder Marcus Buchecha. Buchecha, and his manager repeatedly put ONE FC on blast over their shady promotional practices.
ONE FC had mixed reception when they announced that Shinya Aoki will be the one to welcome 19 year old Cole Abate to the promotion. Even Aoki was skeptical about the matchmaking in this one.
While many want ONE FC to appreciate the legendary status of Garcia, there are hints that he’ll be used to build up younger talent further. ONE FC CEO even commented indicating that the promotion would be looking to book 41 year old Marcelo Garcia against 21 year old Kade Ruotolo.
