The grappling gods have answered our prayers as Brazilian jiu-jitsu royalty will share the ring at ONE Battle Night time 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video.
This Friday, dwell in U.S. Primetime, Marcelo Garcia takes on fellow legend Lachlan Giles in a light-weight submission grappling showdown inside Bangkok’s Lumpinee Stadium.
After immortalizing themselves within the annals of grappling historical past, it appeared like Garcia and Giles had loved a fruitful retirement.
After successful 5 IBJJF world titles and 4 ADCC world championships, ‘Marcelinho’ stepped away from the limelight and was content material with educating and elevating his household.
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By 2023, the 43-year-old revealed his battle with abdomen most cancers. However just like the true warrior he’s all the time been, Garcia overcame the life-threatening ailment and stunned the grappling world by becoming a member of the house of martial arts.
‘Marcelinho’ made a triumphant return at ONE 170 final January. The Brazilian icon displayed that fundamentals by no means exit of fashion, utilizing his signature strain passing system to bypass Masakazu Imanari’s guard and submit him with a textbook north-south choke.
Now, Garcia seeks to proceed his legendary profession. Giles bought the provide to tackle the person he idolizes and could not say no.
The 39-year-old, who final competed in 2022, minimize his retirement brief for this once-in-a-lifetime alternative.
The Australian leg-lock grasp is raring to make a mark in his promotional debut by showcasing his intricate leg entanglement system and signature heel-hooks.
It is the identical transfer that ‘Big Killer’ used to realize international notoriety via his bronze medal end on the 2019 ADCC World Championship Absolute division.
Prediction: Marcelo Garcia defeats Lachlan Giles through submission
In hindsight, Giles’ unbelievable guard retention is the proper antidote to Garcia’s elementary passing.
The Australian innovator’s flexibility shall be on full show, and I see him pulling guard and instantly going to his Okay-guard.
Garcia ought to come ready in opposition to Giles’ dreaded leg entanglement system and impose his signature strain passing.
Nonetheless, ‘The Big Killer’ all the time finds a manner for his revolutionary leg entries, and I see him scoring an early catch with certainly one of his inside heel hook makes an attempt.
However ‘Marcelinho’ has developed impenetrable defenses in opposition to leg-lock specialists and escape.
I see the 43-year-old utilizing a powerful headlock to try to throw Giles off his leg-hunting experience.
However being the artful technician that he’s, the Absolute MMA head coach will seize a maintain of one of many Brazilian’s legs and rating one other catch. This time, Giles ought to try the ‘Lach Lock’ – a modified heel hook – that he’s been getting ready for this coaching camp.
Garcia ought to survive and use his signature arm-drag to seize a maintain of Lachlan’s again. I see ‘Marcelinho’ working his method to Giles’ neck and securing a dramatic last-second rear-naked choke for the victory.
Edited by Saiyed Adeem Karim
