Marcelo Garcia is able to carry his abilities again to the lots. The BJJ legend signed a take care of ONE Championship to return to lively competitors. Whereas no date has been given for his return, Garcia was adamant he had by no means formally hung up his black belt.
“I don’t know if individuals notice it, however I by no means retired. By no means ever did I say the phrase ‘retired.’ Nevertheless it was undoubtedly a plan to take break day of competitors for 2 completely different causes. One was that I used to be simply not so excited to go compete, and I felt like I needed time to give attention to one thing that will make me happier. And at that second, it was my gymnasium in New York Metropolis. I used to be taking plenty of time, simply educating daily, not touring, simply specializing in my college students. After which, as soon as I had a child, clearly, life turned the other way up. After which I felt like, ‘Oh, I wanna be the very best that I might as a father, as a dad. So I took that point,” Garcia commented to ONE.
Along with his little one getting older, Garcia is discovering somewhat extra time to coach and put together for competitors. For the final decade, he discovered it laborious to have the identical motivation that made him an icon. That’s now not the case, and after signing his new take care of ONE, Garcia is able to give every little thing he can to be prepared for whoever is reverse him.
A LEGEND RETURNS 👑🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu icon Marcelo Garcia is popping out of retirement to compete in ONE submission grappling! Who do you need to see him tackle first? pic.twitter.com/oc3lyOLmYv
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 11, 2024
“For the final, like, 10 years, I used to be not motivated to coach laborious as a result of I didn’t really feel like there was anyone coaching to beat me. [But having a tough opponent] kinda all the time pushes me. In actuality, whenever you’re coaching that arduous, you’ve extra unhealthy days than good days. However I all the time felt like, ‘Okay, I can’t keep away from this. I can’t relaxation at the moment. I can’t sleep in. I’ve to do it.’ So I all the time really feel like I’ve extra self-discipline once I really feel that anyone is coaching to go in opposition to me. I all the time really feel I’ve to do greater than that particular person,” the grappling legend mentioned.
His time away was not solely his alternative. Garcia battled abdomen most cancers and underwent chemotherapy, which prevented him from getting on the mats. After securing that almost all necessary victory, the Brazilian is completely happy to chase all of his targets.
“It’s been so lengthy that I haven’t been in a position to do every little thing that I wish to do. I really feel like now I’ve the liberty to only do all of the issues that make me completely happy,” Garcia mentioned.
Anytime a legend returns, they’ve immense choices to select from for the place they wish to compete. The identical could be mentioned for Garcia. There was no scarcity of alternatives for him to step again on the mats.
What made the BJJ grasp select ONE? For Garcia, it was about feeling valued. He remarked that there’s an appreciation for who he’s on and off the mat, which was a deciding issue when placing ink to paper.
“I similar to to be appreciated. I spent a lot time in jiu-jitsu. In competitors. I really feel I all the time have given my greatest, and I really feel just like the appreciation from ONE Championship got here on the proper time. They worth me. They worth my time. And actuality is I can title each group that was attempting to persuade me to go compete. However then ONE, particularly with Leozinho, Leo Vieira is anyone that’s near me, near my household. He got here in for us. If I wanna come again, I want to come back again to a company that values my work, that values my time, that appreciates the athlete. And that’s what I felt with ONE,” the Brazilian said.
The highly-anticipated return might don’t have any date, however Garcia has a easy message. The Brazilian desires everybody to know he’ll give 100% when he makes his approach onto the worldwide stage. Win or lose, Garcia will thrill the followers with an opportunity to observe a real grasp at work.
“I simply know and I can promise that I’ll give every little thing I’ve. After I say every little thing I’ve, I do know I’m gonna give my greatest, it doesn’t matter what. I’m ready to present a match, a combat, that folks need to see,” Garcia mentioned.
