BJJ legend Lachlan Giles of Australia has idolized Marcelo Garcia for his unparalleled dominance during his decorated competitive career.
Now, the 39-year-old submission specialist will take on the man he reveres the most at ONE Fight Night 38 on Prime Video this Friday, Dec. 5.
‘Giant Killer’ has become an iconic figure in the grappling for his heroics in the 2019 ADCC World Champion Absolute division. The 77kg grappler went on to slay giants in an inspiring run to bag the bronze medal.
However, Giles concedes that his resume is nowhere near Garcia, who captured four ADCC world championships and five IBJJF world titles.
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For the Australian maestro, ‘Marcelinho’ belongs in rarified air and is indeed the sport’s GOAT.
Giles shared on The FloGrappling Show:
“How good Marcelo was—I was competing, and there'd be guys that would beat me, there'd be someone that would beat that guy, and then Marcelo would beat them. It was an insane level to me. It still is.”
Giles witnessed Garcia’s dominance during his peak years and couldn’t imagine he would be grappling with him one day.
The Australian will have his work cut out for him, but will bring his A-game against arguably the greatest pound-for-pound grappler of all time.
Watch the full interview:
Lachlan Giles ready to avenge his coaches at ONE Fight Night 38
Among those whom Marcelo Garcia beat during his reign of dominance were two of Lachlan Giles' coaches.
Needless to say, he's looking to avenge his mentors by beating 'Marcelinho'.
The Aussie innovator said in the same interview:
"He had his ADCC moments before I was really competing and able to see him live. He almost always would go against an Australian because he was ranked number one, and whoever won the Australia-Oceania trials would usually get pitted against the top seed because we were the lowest-ranking trials."
The submission grappling showcase at ONE Fight Night 38 streams live in U.S. primetime from Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on Prime Video for North American audiences.
