“I never thought about retiring” - BJJ icon Marcelo Garcia always knew he was going to return to competitive grappling

Despite not having competed in more than a decade, BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia always knew he would one day return to the sport he loves.

As it turns out, that day will be Friday, Jan. 24. On that night, the muti-time BJJ world champion makes his highly anticipated ONE Championship debut against Japanese grappling icon Masakuzu Imanari at ONE 170 inside Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

The last time Garcia competed on such a big stage was at the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship back in 2011. Though it's been nearly 14 years, Garcia never once felt like he retired from BJJ, but was instead taking a break that became longer than expected.

"There was so much going on," Garcelo said on the Jordan Teaches Jiu-Jitsu podcast. "When I say it's going on, like, I took out this time off, and I literally never retired. I never thought about retiring.

"I always thought like, oh, I'm gonna go on a break, you know. And I had kids, and that break became even longer."

Here's the full interview:

Garcia is a five-time IBJJF world champion and also topped the podium at the ADCC's on four separate occasions making him one of the most decorated grapplers of all time.

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Marcelo Garcia has continued to refine his technique over the years

Of course, just because Marcelo Garcia hasn't competed in many years doesn't mean he hasn't continued to develop and grow as a grappler.

Making his premiere appearance on martial arts' biggest global stage, the Hall of Famer is excited to show the world that he has continued to work hard and evolve his technique, even in his absence.

"I'm there to prove that I [have] worked really hard, that I'm going to display the best technique possible," he told Ariel Helwani during a recent interview. "I want to go there to prove that I have developed a better technique. I'm there to prove, to show to people who watch that I have a very refined technique."

Fans in the United States and Canada can watch ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II will air live on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, Jan. 24 in U.S. primetime.