“That makes me a better competitor” - BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia says teaching his students gives him a new perspective to fighting

BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia said his decision to also teach jiu-jitsu while competing has given him added perspective in what he does.

He shared this in an interview on The Ariel Helwani Show on Dec. 5, highlighting how the constant back-and-forth discussions he is having with his students during training sessions has further widened his understanding both as a mentor and competitor.

Garcia, 41, a four-time ADCC gold medal winner, said:

"I'm teaching because I'm constantly discussing with my students, during class, before class, after class. So that makes me think, that makes me a better competitor. I'm not saying it's easy, but I feel like that's what I did my entire life, preparing for those tournaments."

Check out what he had to say below:

Marcelo Garcia has spent the last two years living in Hawaii where he continues to teach through the academy he put up there this year. He, however, is coming out of retirement from competition as he is set to make his ONE Championship debut next month in Thailand.

He will battle veteran ONE campaigner Masakazu Imanari of Japan in an openweight submission grappling showdown at ONE 170 on Jan. 24 at Bangkok's Impact Arena. It will be his first grappling match in over a decade.

ONE 170 will be aired live and for free in U.S. primetime to North American fans with an active Prime Video subscription.

---

Marcelo Garcia excited for his kids to see him compete in ONE Championship

Apart from plunging back into competition, Marcelo Garcia is excited for his ONE Championship debut at ONE 170 on Jan. 24 as it gives his kids the opportunity to catch him compete.

He shared his excitement in the same interview with Ariel Helwani on his show, relaying how it has been a while since his children saw him compete as he stepped away from competition to focus on looking after them after they were born.

Marcelo Garcia 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 daddy go compete and I don't want to miss the opportunity."

The Garcia-Imanari showdown is the first submission grappling match announced for ONE 170, part of a stacked January offering from ONE Championship.