Marcelo Garcia Shines in Emotional ONE 170 Return, Eyes More Grappling Challenges

After 14 years away from competition, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia made a triumphant return to action at ONE 170 on January 24 in Bangkok, Thailand. Competing in an open-weight grappling match, Garcia made quick work of fellow submission icon Masakazu Imanari, securing a north-south choke finish in under five minutes at Impact Arena.

The victory was particularly meaningful for Garcia, who last competed in 2011. His road back to competition has been anything but easy—he overcame a difficult battle with stomach cancer, which reignited his passion for the sport. Now, at 42 years old, he feels better than ever and is ready for more challenges.

"It was very emotional. It was an amazing show. And to be able to be a part of this, to be able to do grappling between those fights, I feel very honored. And obviously, it’s been so long that I am not doing this, almost 14 years ago," Garcia said after his dominant victory.

The grappling legend also expressed his excitement about returning to the mats.

"You guys can’t imagine how I feel. I’m feeling very young, but of course, with a lot more experience [now] than when I was 20 years old. So, it feels amazing."

Garcia’s successful return raises the question—what’s next for him in 2025? Fortunately, ONE Championship has established itself as a premier platform for submission grappling, offering a deep talent pool for Garcia to test himself against.

A potential superfight with Shinya Aoki could be on the horizon. The former ONE Lightweight MMA World Champion has proven his ability to compete in openweight bouts, even submitting former bantamweight champion John Lineker in 2023. A Garcia vs. Aoki showdown would be a dream matchup for grappling fans.

Other intriguing options include Dante Leon and Cole Abate, two rising submission stars eager to make a name for themselves in ONE Championship. Leon has experience battling heavyweight competition, while Abate would relish the chance to earn a victory over a grappling legend.

With his remarkable return, Garcia has reignited excitement in submission grappling and proved he still belongs at the highest level. As he looks ahead to new challenges, his next move will be one to watch.