Marcelo Garcia on why he wanted to compete again: “I feel like that's what was missing the most in my life”

41-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon Marcelo Garcia is coming back to 'the gentle art' to compete in the world's largest martial arts organization after a decade of sitting on the sidelines.

The former ADCC world champion can't wait to come back to the sport that made him into a legend and help guide the younger generation. Garcia feels as though BJJ, as a sport, is exploding right now across the world, and that part of his duty as one of its greatest competitors is to help ensure it has a bright future.

As Garcia returns to the mats against fellow legend Masakazu Imanari of Japan, the Brazilian veteran spoke to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani in a recent guest appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show.

The 41-year-old said he was excited to compete again:

"I'm going to compete against Imanari, the MMA legend. Yeah, I don't know. Just from the names that I guess you mentioned before, that I competed [against] before, I never really choose [my] opponent, you know? I never base to go compete on who I was going to compete [against]."

Garcia added:

"But obviously, I was so busy at home with my family. So I feel like now is the time and to have that feeling to not know what's going to happen. But at the same time, you just never know what could happen. I feel like that's what was missing the most in my life, going [to] compete."

Marcelo Garcia and Masakazu Imanari lock horns at ONE 170 in Bangkok

41-year-old Marcelo Garcia will return against Japanese grappling icon Masakazu Imanari in his ONE Championship debut. Garcia and Imanari roll at ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon II, which broadcasts live in Asia primetime from the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand on Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.

Fans in the United States and Canada can check ONE Championship's official website for more information on how to watch.

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