Marcelo Garcia says his mantra of training more efficiently allows him to avoid long-term injuries in his legendary BJJ career

41-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Marcelo Garcia is coming back after over a decade on the sidelines competing at the highest level in 'the gentle art.'

One of the biggest reasons why Garcia is coming back after all these years is because he still feels that he's at the top of his game, skill-wise, but more importantly, physically.

The veteran grappler believes it is his philosophy of training and competing that has kept him fresh after such a long period away from competition.

The 41-year-old told Jordan Teaches Jiu-Jitsu in a recent guest appearance:

"Jordan, I think I was really good at being less injured than my opponents because that's what enables me to train more than them. We have to train smart. When I say training smart, it's not training less or training gently."

Garcia will be making his ONE Championship debut next weekend, as he steps into the Circle in the world's largest martial arts organization for the very first time against a fellow icon.

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Marcelo Garcia ready to roll with Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170 in Bangkok

BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia will step inside the ONE Championship Circle for the very first time against Japanese icon Masakazu Imanari.

The two lock horns in an openweight submission grappling contest at ONE 170, which broadcasts live 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 location.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding the event as it happens.