"The outside world can be very intimidating" - Marcelo Garcia dreams of jiu-jitsu helping people "deal with the problems that they face"

41-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia is widely considered as arguably the greatest of all time in 'the gentle art'. His body of work certainly speaks volumes.

But the most important thing to Garcia, and it's also why he's coming back to competition after more than a decade, is that he leaves BJJ in good hands.

Garcia believes he needs to return to the sport that made him a legend in order to help guide the next generation of, not just jiu-jitsu practitioners, but the up-and-coming youth.

Speaking in a recent guest appearance on Jordan Teaches Jiu-Jitsu, Garcia explained what he wanted to achieve in his BJJ return.

The Brazilian grappling legend said:

"There's so much going on, I just wish people continue to be humble. Because martial arts, fighting, and the outside world can be very intimidating, I just wish jiu-jitsu and martial arts could be something to help people go outside and deal with the problems that they face. I just want jiu-jitsu to be like an open door for everybody."

Needless to say, the entire jiu-jitsu community is awaiting Garcia's impending return.

The 41-year-old signed a contract to compete in ONE Championship, the world's largest martial arts organization, and he's due to enter the ring next month.

Marcelo Garcia draws Masakazu Imanari in ONE Championship debut at ONE 170

Marcelo Garcia will make his first walk out to the ONE Championship ring early next year, as he readies to face Japanese icon Masakazu Imanar at ONE 170: Tawanchai vs. Superbon.

ONE 170 broadcasts live in Asia primetime from the state-of-the-art 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 from their location.

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