"That's what people enjoy to see" - Marcelo Garcia on why he enjoys competing against bigger guys in absolute divisions

Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) icon Marcelo Garcia built his legend by winning handfuls of gold medals in both gi and no-gi competitions in the 77kg and 82kg divisions. However, his greatest joy on the mat comes from competing in absolute divisions — better known as openweight divisions.

In an interview with Jits Magazine, the four-time 77kg ADCC World Championship gold medalist spoke about why he relishes competing in the toughest division in BJJ:

"I feel like that's the top of your performance, if you're able to be somebody smaller that have good performances against the big guys. I feel like that's what people enjoy to see if that works, you know."

Watch the entire interview below:

After many years of success, Garcia chose to step away from the limelight in September 2011 to focus on his family, with many fans believing that he had fully retired.

However, the 41-year-old legend is set to make his comeback when he takes on legendary Japanese grappling figure Masakazu Imanari in an openweight submission grappling matchup at ONE 170 on Jan. 24, inside the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.

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Marcelo Garcia sheds light on his contract with ONE Championship

November 2024 will forever be an important month in Marcelo Garcia's storied career, as that was when he officially signed with ONE after 13 years of being a non-active competitor.

In the same interview with Jits Magazine, the five-time IBJJF world champion revealed the details of his contract with the world's largest martial arts promotion:

"I have an exclusive contract with ONE and our contract is like a minimum two fights a year and a maximum of six a year. So, I'm planning to be very busy. I don't know how many of those I can do, but like I'm going to be busy, I hope."