"A better understanding of what makes me happy" - Marcelo Garcia shares his biggest takeaway after battling cancer

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) legend Marcelo Garcia has battled and defeated many great foes throughout his illustrious career. However, his greatest victory came in 2023 when he battled a stomach cancer diagnosis into remission thanks to chemotherapy and surgery to remove the tumor.

The five-time IBJJF World Championship gold medalist was a recent guest on the Jordan Teaches Jiu-Jitsu YouTube channel, where he was asked about how the cancer affected him. Garcia responded:

"I don't want to go crazy on that. Like, people say, 'Oh, your life changed.' Like, yeah, my life changed. But I have a better understanding of what makes me happy right now, but I don't think I could appreciate or enjoy more life than I did before."

He also added:

"But I'm just happy that I don't have the days that I was having before."

Watch the entire interview below:

Garcia, considered as one of the greatest BJJ athletes of all time, last competed in September 2011, when he captured his fourth gold medal in the 77kg division of the ADCC World Championship.

Nearly 14 years later, the 42-year-old icon is coming out of retirement to go head-to-head with Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170 on Jan. 24, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Marcelo Garcia gives his take on trash talking in combat sports

Trash talk has always had its place in combat sports, and Marcelo Garcia is open to indulging in it as long as lines are not crossed.

In the same interview, the head honcho of Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy said:

"I understand the entertainment. And some people make it fun, you know what I mean? So if people can figure out a line that it's just for fun and entertainment, and not just talk about other people's family, maybe."