“Jiu-jitsu teaches you to adapt” - Marcelo Garcia says he used his BJJ mantra during his recovery from cancer

Brazilian jiu-jitsu pioneer and legend Marcelo Garcia is making a comeback, at the age of 41, to the sport that he helped build.

One of the reasons Garcia is coming back to BJJ is because he wants to ensure that 'the gentle art' has a bright future.

To Garcia, BJJ has played an important part of his life. In fact, it helped him save his own life by giving him purpose, helping him become the healthiest version of himself, and allowing him to live by BJJ's life lessons.

On a recent guest appearance on Jordan Teaches Jiu-Jitsu, Garcia explains how BJJ helped him overcome cancer and helps people live their best lives.

The 41-year-old legend said:

"They took like two-thirds of my esophagus, so my stomach is kind of like stretched up, so those things like, I take some adaptation, but it's unbelievable how we can adapt for everything, the same way how like jiu-jitsu teaches you to adapt to things."

Garcia is set to return to action in just a couple of weeks when he makes his debut in the world's largest martial arts organization.

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Marcelo Garcia to face Japanese grappling icon Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170

BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia is ready to step inside the ONE Championship ring for the very first time when he takes on Japanese MMA and grappling icon Masakazu Imanari in an openweight submission grappling contest.

The two lock horns at ONE 170, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime from the state-of-the-art Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand, on Friday, January 24.

Fans in the United States and Canada can visit ONE Championship's official website for more information on how to watch from their specific location. Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.