Marcelo Garcia Set for Long-Awaited Grappling Return at ONE 170 Against Masakazu Imanari
Legendary grappler Marcelo Garcia is making his long-anticipated return to competition on January 24, 2024, in Thailand. Garcia, widely regarded as one of the greatest grapplers of all time, will face Japanese veteran Masakazu Imanari in a 10-minute grappling match at ONE 170, hosted at the Impact Arena in Bangkok.
Garcia first revealed the news on The Ariel Helwani Show and later confirmed it with MMA Fighting. This marks Garcia’s first competitive appearance since 2011, when he claimed his final IBJJF world title with victories over elite opponents such as Leonardo Vieira, Kron Gracie, and Victor Estima.
“I wanted to come back in a big event, on a big stage we’ve never seen before in grappling,” Garcia explained in an interview with MMA Fighting. “It’s going to be great to have my kids watch me compete for the first time. Competition was always a big part of my life, and they never had the chance to see this because I took this break. I want them to see me on a big stage.”
Garcia, a five-time IBJJF world champion and four-time ADCC gold medalist, has defeated some of the most dangerous names in grappling, including Ricco Rodriguez, Gabriel Gonzaga, Andre Galvao, Demian Maia, Jake Shields, Robert Drysdale, Alexandre Ribeiro, and Shinya Aoki. Despite stepping away from competition for over a decade, he remained active in the gym, training his students daily.
During his time away from the mats, Garcia faced an even greater battle—stomach cancer. Diagnosed in early 2023, he underwent successful treatment and has since recovered. Now 42 years old, Garcia sees this match as a new chapter in his legendary career and is determined to make this comeback more than a one-off appearance.
Marcelo Garcia typically competed at 170 pounds (77 kg) during his prime, while Masakazu Imanari usually competed in lighter divisions, such as 145 pounds (66 kg) or even lower in MMA. This suggests a weight difference of around 25 pounds (11 kg) if both athletes compete at their usual weight classes. However, the actual weight difference for their match at ONE 170 may depend on agreed-upon conditions, as grappling matches often have more flexible weight standards compared to MMA.
“I don’t want to fight once and that’s it,” he said. “I’m back to compete. All this time [since 2011], except during COVID and my cancer treatment, I never stopped training. I was always in the gym, training with my students every single day. I don’t think I’ve ever missed a beat.”
Garcia’s opponent, Masakazu Imanari, is also a legend in his own right. Known as a pioneer of leg attacks, Imanari has continued competing actively in both grappling and MMA, even into his late 40s. Although Garcia’s career achievements in grappling far outshine Imanari’s, the stylistic matchup poses an intriguing challenge. Imanari’s expertise in leg locks may test Garcia in ways fans haven’t seen before.
The return of Marcelo Garcia is not just about competition; it’s a celebration of resilience, determination, and the enduring spirit of a martial arts legend. Fans eagerly await to see how the Brazilian icon fares against his Japanese counterpart—and what his future in grappling holds.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
