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Brazil Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida has transitioned from a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legacy to a formidable mixed martial arts competitor.
Grappling legend Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida inked a multi-year contract with ONE Championship in July 2020, transitioning his career from BJJ to MMA within the organization.
Evolve Mixed Martial Arts is Asia's premier championship brand for martial arts and has connections to Marcus Almeida's training and participation in ONE Championship events.
Marcus Almeida signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in July 2025, marking his entry into the organization's heavyweight division.
Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida, known as “Buchecha,” was born on January 8, 1990, in Santos, São Paulo, Brazil. His initial interest was in becoming a professional surfer. At the age of 14, he began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, following his father and sister. This marked a turning point in his life, as he quickly developed a passion for the martial art. His talent was recognized early, leading to his first IBJJF World Title in no-gi competition in 2010. Following this victory, he received his black belt on the podium, signifying his rapid ascent in the sport. His career in Jiu-Jitsu saw him accumulate 17 BJJ World Championship titles, with six of these being in the openweight category, a record that he still holds.
In July 2020, Almeida made a transition from Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to mixed martial arts, signing with ONE Championship. He has since trained with teams such as American Kickboxing Academy and American Top Team. His MMA debut was originally delayed due to a knee injury in August 2020. He eventually made his debut in September 2021 against Anderson Silva, securing a submission victory in the first round. He continued his winning streak in ONE Championship, showcasing his grappling skills with four first-round finishes against opponents such as Kang Ji-won, Simon Carson, and Kirill Grishenko. Kirill Grishenko was submitted via heel hook in August 2022, earning Almeida a Performance of the Night bonus. His professional MMA record with ONE Championship stood at 5 wins and 1 loss, with his first loss occurring in August 2023 against Oumar Kane via unanimous decision. In November 2024, he secured another first-round submission victory against Amir Aliakbari, earning his second Performance of the Night bonus. After this fight, Almeida became a free agent from ONE Championship.
In July 2025, Almeida signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), marking a significant step in his MMA career. He made his UFC debut against Martin Buday on July 26, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9, where he experienced a unanimous decision loss. Throughout his career, Almeida has been recognized for his contributions to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, being inducted into the IBJJF Hall of Fame and being regarded as one of the sport’s greatest competitors. His fighting approach in MMA emphasizes grappling, ground control, and submissions, reflecting his extensive background.
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