Lachlan Giles says he first got the idea to face Marcelo Garcia from a Reddit post: "My name got thrown up there" 

(From left) Lachlan Giles and Marcelo Garcia. [Images: ONE Championship]
Lachlan Giles (left) and Marcelo Garcia (right) [Images courtesy: ONE Championship]

Brazilian jiu-jitsu superstar Lachlan Giles wasn't looking for a comeback, but sometimes the biggest fights start in the most unexpected ways—like scrolling through Reddit.

Ad

The 39-year-old Australian had happily moved on to the next chapter of his glorious career, coaching at his gym while creating the next generation of ground game maestros one athlete at a time.

But he kept noticing something during his casual internet browsing—his name appearing in threads discussing potential opponents for Marcelo Garcia's ONE Championship return. Once or twice, you ignore it. But when it keeps happening, you start thinking.

Ad
"I'd seen a few threads on Reddit where people were talking about who Marcelo should fight next. My name got thrown up there quite a few times. It was something that had crossed my mind, and I was kind of like, 'Would I do it or wouldn't I?'" Lachlan Giles shared during his interview with ONE Championship.
Ad

Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more

That question answered itself when ONE Championship's Vice President of Grappling Tom DeBlass made it official.

Garcia—the 42-year-old Brazilian legend, four-time ADCC world champion, consensus greatest grappler of all time—had specifically requested the matchup.

What started as Reddit speculation became a contracted reality as their lightweight submission grappling showcase is now set for ONE Fight Night 38 on Friday, Dec. 5, inside Bangkok's legendary Lumpinee Stadium.

Lachlan Giles and Garcia's single-round war will be one of two submission grappling battles on the promotion's final ONE Fight Night card of the year.

Ad

Before Fabricio Andrade puts his ONE bantamweight MMA world title on the line against No.4-ranked divisional contender Enkh-Oril Baatarkhuu, Diogo Reis and Daiki Yonekura clash for the vacant ONE flyweight submission grappling world championship.

Ad

Lachlan Giles promises fans clash against Marcelo Garcia will be "really exciting"

Given Lachlan Giles and Marcelo Garcia's glorious careers and extensive knowledge in 'The Gentle Art', most combat sports analysts expect nothing but a tactical chess match when they collide at ONE Fight Night 38: Andrade vs. Baatarkhuu on Prime Video.

Giles, for his part, promises fans that their battle will live up to its promise.

"This [fight against Marcelo Garcia] should be a really exciting match. It's a really interesting stylistic matchup. So, for me, it's a chance to, you know, try to prove myself in my weight class against, you know, the best to ever do it," he shared during a separate interview with The FloGrappling Show.

Follow One Championship News, Schedule & Results at Sportskeeda.

Quick Links

Edited by Aziel Karthak
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications