The Legend of Marcelo Garcia

A story about me and the GOAT of BJJ

The legend of Marcelo Garcia.

Marcelo Garcia is one of the greatest grapplers of all time. A middleweight (180 lbs). 4x ADCC Champion, 5x IBJJF World Champion. A killer on the mats, Marcelo is equally known for being a nice guy.

I was a small, scrawny 150 pound, 17 year-old kid when I started BJJ training. Seeing someone smaller, with lethal technique was very inspiring to watch. Marcelo often won his weight class by dominating and would challenge himself by entering the open weight division.

I always admired Marcelo Garcia.

I actually got to roll with him once.

A 2017 team training trip to New York City. The plan was to train for a few days at MG Academy, sharpen our skills before we travelled to compete at the IBJJF Boston Open.

My plan was to get a training round in with my hero.

I remember what they said at the gym front desk when I asked "Does Marcelo roll in every class?"

"If Marcelo does the warmup - he's gonna be rolling in the class."

I was in NYC for 3 days before leaving for a tournament in Boston. The first day, we attended 2 classes. No Marcelo. The next day we attended a class where he instructed but did not roll.

We went back for the evening class. We were too tired from training earlier, so we sat and watched. That's when I saw Marcelo approach a brand new white belt whose gi was way too big. "Do you want to roll with me?" Marcelo asked.

I couldn't believe it. The greatest grappler of all time was gonna roll with a brand new white belt?? I almost ran on the mat and took the roll for myself - this white belt had no idea who he was training with! I had drove over 15 hours to get to NYC, this white belt probably was a local just looking to try out the intro class.

It was a true sign of humility.

The final day. I had one more class, one more chance. I should have been taking it easy - I competed at the IBJJF Boston Open the next day. I rolled with legendary Paul Schreiner. When the round ended I positioned myself next to Marcelo.

Before I could say anything he saw me and said "Do you wanna roll?"

It was an experience I'll never forget. Sparring the legend, Marcelo Garcia in his home academy. He submitted me with his classics - the toughest guillotine I've ever felt and an RNC where he somehow trapped both my arms behind my back.

It's often true what they say "don't meet your heroes because they will disappoint you."

Well they never had a hero like Marcelo Garcia. My hero.

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