Marcelinho Garcia ready to MMA

By Marcello Alonso

Two-time ADCC and jiu-jitsu world champion, Marcelo Garcia is ready to make his MMA debut. Considered among the most technical ground fighters in the world, Garcia will make his debut against Marcus Avellan on May 19 in the Gracie Fighting Championship in Columbus Ohio.

"I believe he will repeat the same success in MMA that he did in submission grappling and jiu-jitsu. Ronaldo Jacaré and Marcelo Garcia will make history in MMA -- in fact, they are helping each other train," said Garcia’s manager Wallid Ismail.

Garcia’s agenda is pretty full: today he is be in California to compete at the Pan-American Jiu-Jitsu Championship; one week later, he will be defending his title in the 77kg category at ADCC 2007 in New Jersey; two weeks after that, he will fly to Ohio to make his MMA debut in Gracie Fighting Championship together with Brazilian mates Vinicius Pezão, Ronaldo Jacaré and Daniel Moraes.

COMPLETE CARD (subject to change):

Gracie Fighting Championship
Saturday, May 19 2007
Value City Arena
Columbus, Ohio

Jeff Monson vs. Wes Sims
Marcelo Garcia vs. Marcus Avellan
Chris Brennan vs. Adam Disabato
Dorian Price vs. Phil Cardella
Vinicius Pezão vs. George Bush
Ronaldo Jacaré vs. TBA
Thomas Denny vs. TBA
Daniel Moraes vs. TBA
Nissen Osterneck vs. TBA