Marcelo Garcia is widely considered one of the best and most innovative jiu-jitsu athletes of his generation. The Alliance Jiu-Jitsu representative is a 5X World Champion, a 3X Brasileiro Champion, and a Pan Champion. “Marcelinho” was not only a successful competitor, but also an innovator. His butterfly guard and his ability to take his opponent’s back from nearly any position inspired a generation of jiu-jitsu competitors. His academy in New York City has become a cornerstone of jiu-jitsu on the East Coast of the United States and has created many champions since its founding in 2009. His accolades earned him a spot in the IBJJF Hall of Fame.

The 2023 Brasileiros are now less than a week away, so we decided to take a look back at one of Marcelo's most iconic performances at the event. In 2006, Marcelo competed in the Brasileiros in the middleweight and open class divisions. He had been promoted to black belt in 2002 by Fabio Gurgel and won his first major tournament at the Brasileiros in 2004. Competitors who were dominating the competition scene at the time included Fernando Terere, Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, Xande Ribeiro, and Roger Gracie.

Marcelo had two matches in the middleweight division. His first match was against Gustavo Campos, who would go on to win several Pan and European titles. Marcelo played on top, forcing the half guard position and working his way to the mount, where he finished with an armbar. In the final he faced future Hall of Fame member Andre Galvao, who had won the middleweight division at the Pans and the Worlds the prior year. Marcelo won the match on points and earned his first gold medal of the day.

Despite competing his entire career as a middleweight, Marcelo Garcia was known as a competitor who would frequently challenge himself in the open class. In the first round of the 2006 Brasileiro open class, Marcelo faced Roberto “Cyborg” Abreu. During an attempt to take the back, Marcelo locked up a crucifix and finished a choke to advance to the next round. He went on to finish his next opponent via armbar in the quarterfinal to advance to the semifinal against Andre Galvao, who he had faced earlier in the day. This time, however, Marcelo would get the finish. He took the back off a half guard pass attempt and got the submission with a collar choke variation from the back.

In the 2006 Brasileiro open class final, Marcelo took on Demian Maia. The first half of the match was spent on the feet as the two exchanged takedown attempts. Marcelo scored the only points of the match off a takedown counter, ending up on top in half guard. Though Marcelo was unable to pass the half guard of Demian, the two points scored earlier in the match were enough to propel him to open class gold, his second gold medal of the tournament. Marcelo would go on to win his second World title that same year and further cement his status as one of the greatest competitors of all time.

The 2023 Brasileiros start on Saturday April 29th and run through Sunday May 7th. Be sure to catch all of the action live, exclusively on flograppling.com.