![[WATCH] Marcelo Garcia Submits Masakazu Imanari With North-South Choke](https://www.bjjee.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Marcelo-Garcia-vs-Imanari-submission.jpg)
Marcelo Garcia made a stunning return to competition after 14 years – submitting Japanese MMA veteran Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170 on January 24.
Garcia started strong, controlling the action on the feet and pressing Imanari against the cage before executing a clean Single Leg takedown.
Once on the ground, Garcia worked to pass Imanari’s Half Guard, securing Side Control about two and a half minutes into the match.
From there, he transitioned to Mount and began setting up an Arm Triangle choke.
When Imanari defended, Garcia seamlessly switched to his signature North-South Choke.
Sinking his hips and locking in the grip, Garcia forced Imanari to tap just shy of the match’s midpoint.
Check out the footage of the submission on the video below:
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After the match, Garcia expressed gratitude for the opportunity and revealed his desire to compete again soon.
He pointed out that he was originally scheduled to face former ONE lightweight MMA world champion Shinya Aoki in his debut, a match he’s still eager to take:
I have a lot of fights on my contract. I didn’t wait 13 years, almost 14 years, to do this and wait.
There is a man that was supposed to [be my opponent] before this one.
Shinya Aoki was supposed to be my first one, so I’m still ready for him.He was the one that I was looking forward to for my first match.
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