BJJ legend Marcelo Garcia returns to competition, expected to make ONE debut in 2025

Marcelo Garcia is one of the greatest grapplers to ever compete in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Now, after 13 years away from competition, the decorated submission artist will join the Ruotolo brothers, Cole Abate, and others in ONE Championship.  

ONE announced last week that the five-time IBJJF World Champion has signed with the promotion, and that he is likely to make his debut in the coming year. 

While it’s welcoming news for many fans of the gentle art, it’s not something many expected in 2024. After all, Garcia had to overcome stomach cancer last year. Now he has a new lease of life and can’t wait to get started. 

“It’s been so long that I haven’t been able to do everything that I would like to do,” he said.  

“I feel like now I have the freedom to just do all the things that make me happy.” 

Garcia stopped competing in 2011 following the arrival of his children. The 41-year-old wanted to be the best father he could. But now that his kids are grown, his focus has shifted back to dominating a whole new landscape.  

“I was taking a lot of time, just teaching every day, not traveling, just focusing on my students. And then, once I had a kid, obviously, life turned upside down,” he said. 

“And then I felt like, ‘Oh, I wanna be the best that I could as a father, as a dad. So I took that time.’” 

Marcelo Garcia praises the rise of submission grappling in ONE Championship

Marcelo Garcia is widely regarded as one of the greatest grapplers to ever don a gi. The four-time ADCC World Champion made a stunning announcement this past week, inking his name with ONE Championship. 

The landscape has changed a lot since Garcia last competed in 2011. But the Brazilian’s choice to sign with the promotion says a lot about how much ONE has done for BJJ athletes. 

Garcia feels his legacy will be appreciated by fans in ONE. It already has top names in the Ruotolo brothers, Cole Abate, and Dante Leon. So the decision to join the promotion only seemed right as Garcia preps for his return in 2025.