"A big accomplishment for myself" - Marcelo Garcia takes pride in not needing PEDs to compete at the highest level

Recognized by many fans as the Greatest of All Time in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ), Marcelo Garcia can hang his hat on the fact that he achieved so much without ever needing to use performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs).

Speaking exclusively with Ariel Helwani on The Ariel Helwani Show, the 41-year-old Brazilian legend stated:

"I'm the only one that can prove for myself that I never have to use any of those things. To feel that probably a lot of people are using it at the time they're competing against me, and to feel that a lot of young people today need to use that, and to feel that I never have to, it's a big accomplishment for myself."

The four-time ADCC world champion added:

"I say for myself because I cannot make other people believe in me, but to know that I never have to do that, and to remember everything I did with the opponents that are probably using that, it feels good."

Watch the entire interview below:

Garcia is set to make his ONE debut after a 13-year retirement against fellow grappling legend Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170 on Jan. 24, 2025, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Marcelo Garcia relishes chance to compete in front of his kids

Marcelo Garcia chose to step away from competition in 2011 to prioritize his family and kids. Ahead of his hotly anticipated ONE debut, he cited them as his main inspiration to get back out there and showcase his craft.

In the same interview with Ariel Helwani, the Marcelo Garcia Jiu-Jitsu Academy founder said:

"Once my kids were born and I took so much time to be around them and now they're getting old. I feel like they're going to be happy to see their dad go compete and I don't want to miss the opportunity."