“He’s a great human being” - Lachlan Giles says more martial artists should strive to be like Marcelo Garcia

Australian grappling icon Lachlan Giles has nothing but high praise for legend Marcelo Garcia, whom he defeated last weekend at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video.

The two met at the iconic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, Dec. 6, and the 39-year-old tapped out the Brazilian jiu-jitsu demigod using his own signature move which he called the ‘Lachy Lock’ — a variation of a toehold mixed with a kneebar that Giles developed himself.

Giles was absolutely overcome with gratitude and emotion when he talked to Mitch Chilson in the ONE Championship ring following his match, and gave props to a bunch of people, including Garcia himself:

“I just want to thank a few people. My wife, she’s my biggest supporter, my team, a whole bunch of friends, who come and visit out from Australia here to watch the match. Yeah. If I can say one extra thing just, you know, if everyone in the sport could be more like Marcelo. Nice, respectful, there's no trash talking. He’s a great human being, amazing grappler, and clean as well, like, I think just everything about him is just the perfect idol in jiu-jitsu. Thank you, Marcelo, for letting me have this match. Thank you.”

---

What’s next for Lachlan Giles?

Lachlan Giles came out of retirement to face Marcelo Garcia at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Amazon Prime Video last weekend, but he’s not sticking around.

Giles admits that BJJ is a young man’s game, and that it’s getting harder and harder for him to compete at the highest level, given his age. Which is why the 39-year-old Australian icon says he’s going right back into retirement to focus on guiding the next generation of grapplers and teaching his signature techniques as a coach.

Fans in North America can catch the replay of ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Amazon Prime Video.