WATCH: Japanese legend Masakazu Imanari schools Gabriel Sousa ahead of ONE 170 super fight against Marcelo Garcia

It’s no surprise that the world’s top submission grapplers turn to the legendary Masakazu Imanari to elevate their skills.

The latest athlete to make the pilgrimage to Japan and train under the Japanese martial arts icon is none other than multiple-time BJJ medalist Gabriel Sousa.

ONE Championship recently offered a sneak peek into their training session, where Sousa could be seen perfecting the iconic “Imanari Roll.” This dynamic and unconventional technique has gained widespread acclaim for its ability to swiftly close the distance and secure devastating leg locks.

Watch the clip below:

It’s easy to see why Sousa sought out Imanari for guidance.

Renowned as a master of the grappling arts, Imanari is both an accomplished catch wrestler and a BJJ black belt. He is widely regarded as a specialist in leg locks, a skill that has earned him the “Ashikan-Judan” moniker.

Beyond his grappling expertise, Imanari has also made a name for himself in mixed martial arts. Since debuting in 2000, he has become a fixture in Asia’s top MMA promotions, including a six-fight stint in ONE Championship.

Remarkably, the majority of his MMA victories have come by way of submission.

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Masakazu Imanari welcomes back Marcelo Garcia at ONE 170

Masakazu Imanari’s next challenge comes on Jan. 24 at ONE 170, set to take place at the Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand. There, he will square off against a fellow legend, Marcelo Garcia, in an openweight submission grappling showdown.

For die-hard fans of the sport, Garcia needs no introduction. Widely regarded as the greatest BJJ competitor of all time, the Brazilian boasts an extraordinary resume, including five IBJJF world championships and four ADCC world titles.

This bout marks Garcia’s highly anticipated return to competition — the first since his dominant performance at the 2011 ADCC World Championships.