Recapping Buchecha’s Flawless MMA Run In ONE Championship
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has won 17 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships, and now, he’s aiming for a World Title in the all-encompassing sport of mixed martial arts.
“Buchecha” can take a huge step toward the ONE Heavyweight World Title if he maintains his spotless 3-0 record against former World Title challenger Kirill Grishenko at ONE on Prime Video 1: Moraes vs. Johnson II.
Ahead of his upcoming battle – which airs in North American primetime on Friday, August 26 – we take a look at the Brazilian’s early triumphs in MMA and what makes him one of the fastest-rising stars in the heavyweight division.
A Dominant ONE Debut
The BJJ legend made his long-awaited MMA debut against Anderson “Braddock” Silva at ONE: REVOLUTION in September 2021.
Fans were eager to see how the American Top Team and Evolve representative would fare in his new sport. Needless to say, he didn’t disappoint.
After securing an early takedown, Almeida began to play in his sandbox. He unloaded huge punches on Silva’s head and ribs from full mount.
He then transitioned into north-south position, and soon, the finish came. “Buchecha” threw thumping knees to the top of Silva’s skull before wrapping his arms around his fellow Brazilian’s neck to force a tap at 2:55 of the opening round.
Smashing Kang Ji Won’s Undefeated Record
“Buchecha” met “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won with two goals – to prove that his dominant debut outing was no fluke and to hand the 6-0 South Korean his first loss.
He checked off both of these boxes en route to a 147-second submission win at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS in December.
Almeida shot for a double-leg takedown and uncorked a barrage of strikes while moving into half-guard. Kang, on the other hand, attempted to save himself by getting back up. But Almeida took the opportunity to sink in a rear-naked choke.
The BJJ GOAT instantly dragged Kang down, jumped on his back, and tightened the choke, which eventually forced a tap from “Mighty Warrior.”
The BJJ Master Gets His First TKO
Almeida made short work of Simon Carson to take his professional MMA resume to 3-0 when the pair met at ONE 158: Tawanchai vs. Larsen this past June.
Leading up to the bout, the 32-year-old promised to showcase other aspects of his arsenal, and against Carson, he stayed true to his words.
However, after unsuccessfully trying to clip his Australian counterpart with snappy front and leg kicks, “Buchecha” diverted back to the basics.
He got Carson in side control and slowly maneuvered his way into full mount. When he secured the position he eagerly wanted, the Brazilian hammered away with huge right hands to earn his first TKO win at 2:24 of the opening stanza.
If “Buchecha” scores another quick finish against Grishenko on August 26, it could move him to the top of the heavyweight pack, where a showdown with either ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan “Singh” Bhullar or interim divisional king Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin could take place.
