Marcelo Garcia will step back onto the mat at ONE 170 on Friday, January 24. The return against Masakazu Imanari is not just a return from a hiatus, but also a life-threatening battle with stomach cancer. The multiple-time ADCC World Champion detailed his diagnosis and road back with ONE Championship ahead of his spectacular return.
Marcelo Garcia’s Early Cancer Detection Saved Him
“I was like, ‘Alright, so now this is a whole new thing that I have no idea what’s gonna happen.’ I was just trying to figure it out. Thank God, things started going more in my way to help me, and we found the cancer early,” Marcelo Garcia stated to ONE.
Marcelo Garcia was not just fighting for himself, but also for his family. His children were his main inspiration to continue his battle. Although he has many medals and career accolades, his greatest accomplishment is that of being a father.
A LEGEND RETURNS 👑🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu icon Marcelo Garcia is coming out of retirement to compete in ONE submission grappling! Who do you want to see him take on first? pic.twitter.com/oc3lyOLmYv
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) November 11, 2024
“It wasn’t a great thing fighting for my life. And when I say my life, I’m not just talking about myself. I’m talking about the life of my kids’ father. You know what I mean? I have to be their father, I need to stay here longer, and I need to try to give them the best chance to grow up like good people,” the Brazilian recalled.
Marcelo Garcia Back to 100 Percent Two Years After Cancer
Garcia detailed his eight chemotherapy treatments and receiving surgery in between them in 2023. Going through those tribulations, the Brazilian has returned to full health. The most surprising thing to Garcia is just how recent his battle was when it already feels like a long time ago.
“And the crazy thing is how it’s just a year ago that I finished my treatment, but it feels like it’s been so long. I’m not gonna lie, I almost forgot everything. It’s just crazy how our bodies adapt. It’s just crazy how our mind forgets about things, too,” Garcia responded.
The 42-year-old was never promised tomorrow. His doctor had never dealt with a patient with his type of cancer at his age before and did not know how he would react to treatment. Thankfully, everything went well, allowing Garcia to gradually return to the gym and recapture the spark that led him to become one of BJJ’s biggest stars.
Marcelo Garcia makes it look effortless! 🤩 Will the BJJ GOAT earn a W in his long-awaited comeback match against Masakazu Imanari at ONE 170?
#ONE170 | Fri Jan 24 at 7:30PM ICT/7:30AM ET
🌎 Live TV broadcast in 190+ countries (check local listings) pic.twitter.com/CLCiXByiE0— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) December 15, 2024
“For me, when I was able to go back to training, I started to feel like, ‘Oh, I think I can live with this. I feel like I can roll normal. I feel like I can teach. I feel like I can go upside down if I have to, and I wouldn’t feel the food going up my throat.’ [My doctor] didn’t guarantee me anything. So when I was able to go back to training, I felt like, ‘Okay, I can work again. I can just be myself again.’ So that was the best feeling for me when I went back to training,” Garcia replied.
Marcelo Garcia Heads Back to the Gym Ahead of ONE 170
Returning to the gym was not just about regaining his passion for competing, but also about growing his business and giving his kids a better life. Marcelo Garcia’s main objective is to be the best father he can be to his children. Returning at ONE 170 is a way to be an inspiration and achieve greatness that he can pass on to the next generation.
“I know what makes me feel the best in my life – if I can give a better childhood to my kids. That’s my biggest wish. So when I trained again, I felt like, ‘Okay, now I can give a better life for my family because now I can work every day. Now I can do that thing that’s probably the best thing that I know how to do,” the BJJ legend stated.
When fans watch Garcia hit the mat again on a global platform, they can witness one of the sport’s greatest comeback stories. The experience has given Garica a new perspective on life and how we can all chase happiness. Garcia wants to teach everybody to focus on the positives in life.
ALMOST TIME ⏳ We're less than a week away from a marquee lineup of martial arts action at ONE 170 on January 24, featuring three World Title fights, the return of BJJ GOAT Marcelo Garcia, and many more massive matchups! What are you looking forward to most?#ONE170 | Jan 24 at… pic.twitter.com/jcKvXx5HaJ
— ONE Championship (@ONEChampionship) January 17, 2025
“We need to figure out what makes you happy, and just focus on that. But not what makes you happy now. I can eat a pint of ice cream. That would make me really happy now. But very soon after, I’m not gonna feel great after that. So I find what makes me feel the best, and I focus on that so much,” Marcelo Garcia said.
ONE 170 airs live on Friday, January 24, on ONE’s official YouTube channel. The action begins at 6:30 a.m. EST/3:30 a.m. PST. The event airs free from Impact Arena in Bangkok, Thailand.