Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida: BJJ Legend Taking the MMA World by Storm Under ONE Championship

When you talk about the Mount Rushmore of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida’s face is undoubtedly carved into that mountain. The 17-time BJJ world champion has been quietly building a formidable MMA career that deserves way more attention than it’s getting.

I’ve been following Buchecha since his early grappling days, and watching his transition to MMA under ONE Championship has been nothing short of fascinating. Let me break down why this BJJ phenomenon is becoming one of the most intriguing heavyweight prospects in mixed martial arts today.

From Gi Domination to Cage Control: Buchecha’s Remarkable Transition

Buchecha didn’t just dip his toes into MMA – he dove in headfirst. Since signing with ONE Championship in 2020, the Brazilian has assembled an impressive 4-0 record with all wins coming by finish. What’s most surprising isn’t that he’s winning, but how he’s winning.

“I expected him to be a one-dimensional grappler,” a training partner recently told me, “but he’s developed legitimate striking skills that complement his world-class ground game.”

His transition has been methodical. Instead of rushing into high-profile matchups, Buchecha has patiently built his skillset while taking progressively tougher opponents. This isn’t some cash grab – this is a legitimate career pivot.

Why Buchecha’s MMA Success Matters for BJJ Specialists

The crossover from BJJ to MMA hasn’t always been smooth for specialists. For every Demian Maia success story, there are dozens of world-class grapplers who couldn’t adapt to getting punched in the face.

What makes Buchecha different? Three key factors:

• He started his transition while still in his athletic prime (31)
• He trains at American Top Team with elite MMA coaches
• His size and athleticism translate perfectly to heavyweight MMA

At 34 years old now, Buchecha still has a good runway to make serious noise in the heavyweight division where fighters often peak later.

Buchecha’s MMA Resume So Far

The Path Forward: Is Buchecha a Future ONE Heavyweight Champion?

Let’s be real – the ONE heavyweight division isn’t as deep as the UFC’s, but it’s filled with powerful strikers who could test Buchecha’s developing stand-up game. Current champion Arjan Bhullar and interim champ Anatoly Malykhin represent significant challenges.

I believe Buchecha is maybe one or two fights away from a title shot. His name recognition alone makes him valuable to ONE Championship, but his actual skills make him a legitimate contender.

What’s most impressive is how he’s adapted his BJJ for MMA. Instead of pulling guard, he’s developed a pressure-heavy wrestling game that allows him to get fights to the ground without risking poor positions. His heel hook finish of Kirill Grishenko showed he’s bringing modern leg lock systems into his MMA arsenal – something many BJJ crossovers fail to do effectively.

Why Aren’t More People Talking About Buchecha’s MMA Career?

The elephant in the room is visibility. ONE Championship, despite having excellent production value and talented fighters, doesn’t capture the same Western audience as the UFC. Buchecha would be a much bigger story if he were competing in the Octagon.

That said, ONE’s platform in Asia has given him the perfect runway to develop without the intense pressure and scrutiny UFC heavyweights face. Would he be 4-0 with four finishes in the UFC? Maybe not. But the methodical build-up has served his development perfectly.

What’s Next for the BJJ Legend?

Sources close to ONE Championship suggest Buchecha will return to action in early 2024, potentially against a top-five heavyweight that could position him for a title eliminator bout. At his current trajectory, we could see Buchecha challenging for ONE gold before the end of next year.

The question isn’t if he’ll get a title shot – it’s whether his still-evolving striking can hold up against the division’s elite knockout artists. His grappling advantage over anyone in the division is unquestionable, but MMA remains unforgiving to one-dimensional fighters.

The Bigger Picture: What Buchecha Represents for BJJ Champions

Beyond his personal journey, Buchecha represents a new model for BJJ champions transitioning to MMA. Unlike previous generations who often jumped to MMA past their athletic prime, Buchecha made the move with plenty of competitive years ahead of him.

He’s also shown the value of patience – focusing on developing a complete skillset rather than rushing into high-profile matchups based solely on his grappling credentials.

Are you following Buchecha’s MMA journey? Have you watched his ONE Championship fights? Drop a comment below with your thoughts on how far the BJJ legend can go in mixed martial arts.

And if you’re a BJJ practitioner considering your own transition to MMA, what lessons would you take from Buchecha’s methodical approach? The blueprint he’s creating might just become the gold standard for grapplers making the switch.