Marcelo Garcia, ONE 170, ONE Championship, submission grappling: “Just like 14 years ago” - Marcelo Garcia ecstatic after his magical submission win over fellow legend Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170

After a 14-year absence, Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia made a triumphant return at ONE 170 last Friday, January 42, savoring every moment of his long-awaited comeback.

Competing in front of a packed house at Bangkok’s Impact Arena, Garcia showcased his grappling mastery in an openweight submission contest against Masakazu Imanari.

From the opening bell, the 42-year-old wasted no time asserting control, securing top position before methodically working his way into a textbook finish.

Initially locking in an arm-triangle choke, Garcia found the submission incomplete and quickly adapted, transitioning to a north-south choke to force the tap at the 4:49 mark.

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With the victory, 'Marcelinho' recorded his 56th career submission and improved his professional record to 86-17 — a performance as he had never left.

Following the win, Garcia took to Instagram to break down the sequence that led to his finish:

“I felt his arm was defending in north-south. But I don’t like to squeeze with the arm inside, so I was expecting his arm to come out. His arm wasn’t really out. So, it’s just like a traditional north-south choke. Even his arm is inside my arms, I still have the same north-south choke. Oh, he tapped.”

Reflecting on his stellar outing, Garcia can’t help but smile from ear to ear:

“Thank God [for] everything. [It] worked out well just like 14 years ago.”

Marcelo Garcia wants Shinya Aoki next

Now back in the fold, Marcelo Garcia has set his sights on a dream matchup with another grappling icon in the form of Shinya Aoki.

However, Aoki has a business to deal with when he reports for duty at ONE 172, taking place at the iconic Super Saitama Arena in Japan on March 23. There, 'Tobikan Judan' is set to revive his legendary rivalry with Filipino superstar Eduard Folayang in a lightweight MMA clash.

About the author

A sports journalist with over 10 years of experience, Nissi Icasiano has previously contributed to well-known platforms such as Rappler, Tiebreaker Times, International Business Times, ABS-CBN News, and currently, Sportskeeda. With a background in Legal Management, his attention to detail and thorough research shape his journalistic style.

Nissi specializes in MMA, particularly ONE Championship, and his love for the sport is evident in his in-depth coverage of its athletes and events. He has reported on major milestone events, including Demetrious Johnson’s final fight at ONE Championship's first U.S. event.

Nissi's hands-on experience in the sport of boxing enhances his understanding of combat sports. His dedication towards delivering informative and compelling content makes him a reliable source for MMA fans.

In his spare time, Nissi takes joy in spending time with his young daughter.

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Edited by C. Naik