Marcus Almeida Buchecha - 13 Times IBJJF World Champion

Marcus Almeida, renowned as Buchecha, is a 2nd-degree BJJ Black Belt under Rodrigo Cavaca. He represents Checkmat BJJ Academy. He is undoubtedly one of the greatest fighters of BJJ. He is 13 times World Champion. He has earned 6 IBJJF World Championships in the open weight category and now he is making history in MMA.

Marcus Almeida was born on 8th January 1990 in Sao Vicente, in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Marcus Almeida had a BJJ background but he was not interested in BJJ from the start. He was thrilled by football as he wanted to become a football player. He tried to become a professional footballer but life had other plans for Buchecha. Disheartened by his failure, he started surfing. He eventually liked surfing and got occupied by it.

When he turned 14, he got to know about BJJ. He developed his interest because of his sister who started training in BJJ. As Cleiton Almeida, Marcus Almeida’s father was protective of his children, he used to go with his daughter to her BJJ classes and watch her train.

Cleiton Almeida himself started training in BJJ along with his daughter. When Marcus Almeida turned 14, his father enrolled him in BJJ classes along with his daughter.

It was a blessing for Marcus Almeida that he instantly connected with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He loved BJJ and gave his whole time to it, mostly after school.

Only after a short time, he was noticed by the head coach of Checkmat BJJ, Rodrigo Cavaca. It was the time when he became a prominent fighter in the colored belt division. Rodrigo Cavaca recognized the talent and fierce skill of Marcus Almeida and took him under training.

Under the training of Rodrigo Cavaca, Marcus Almeida won many consecutive championships. It was like “The Shining Golden Era of Marcus Almeida”. He won the Pan American, Brasileiro, Sao Paulo Cup, and the Scandinavian Open Championship. It was the supreme guidance and influence of Rodrigo Cavaca combined with the sheer determination and hard work of Marcus Almeida.

Marcus Almeida was nicknamed “Buchecha” by Rodrigo Cavaca. It was because of his weight. When Buchecha first started training under Rodrigo Cavaca, he was chubby and had big cheeks. That is why his coach started calling him Buchecha. Buchecha means big or chubby cheeks.

Marcus Almeida is one of the most proficient grapplers in the heavyweight division. His game is a technical one. He goes for the stand-up fight in hand-to-hand combat. He lunges for his opponent in the standing position. Unlike other competitors, he is not so fond of ground grappling. It does not mean that he is not skilled at it.

He definitely is a fearless fighter who likes to stand toe to toe in front of his opponents. His speed made his game feast for the eyes of the viewers. His opponents do not stand stationary during the fight because they know what Marcus Almeida is capable of as he hunts for single and double-leg takedowns.

In 2012, Marcus Almeida moved to the United States. He pursued BJJ as a competitor and then as an instructor. Even moving to another country did not affect his game, rather he became a much stronger fighter.

He won the IBJJF Pan American Championship and the IBJJF World Championship in 2012, right after moving to the United States. He also won “Mundial” in the same year.

He was promoted to Black Belt by Rodrigo Cavaca at the World Championship in 2010. He received his Black Belt while he was on the podium after his historic win.

In 2018, Marcus Almeida won his 11th World Championship. That day he made history by breaking the world record of 10 championships by legendary Roger Gracie.

This was the hard-earned zenith of Marcus Almeida's BJJ career. His offensive game, technical execution, and brutal takedowns are the major reasons  for his consecutive wins.

Marcus Almeida joined the BJJ competitive team formed by Vagner Rocha and Roberto Cyborg Abreu. This team consisted of Pablo Popovitch, Raphael Claves, Rodrigo Cavaca, and Marcus Almeida. This team was founded in the mid of 2009 and ended in 2012.

Marcus Almeida with Rodrigo Cavaca and Thiago Baiano Aragoa moved to the United States in 2010 for the World No-Gi Tournament. After winning the tournament, he left the major league.

He won the IBJJF Pan Championship in 2012, the same year he moved to the United States and continued his martial art career as an MMA and BJJ competitor and instructor.

Marcus Almeida won the Metamoris Pro Invitational in 2012. His final match was with the legend, Roger Gracie. He tied the match with Roger Gracie.

He won the ADCC World Championship in 2013 and 2017 as a Black Belt.

Marcus Almeida was actively competing in BJJ when he joined American Kickboxing Academy. He was interested in MMA, so along with BJJ, he started training in MMA in 2014. He trained with the former UFC Middleweight Champion Luke Rockhold. After training under such an experienced MMA fighter and coach, he joined another top-notch gym, American Top Team.

Marcus Almeida joined ONE Championship on the 31st of July, 2020. There, he signed a multiple-fight contract. He made his debut by defeating Anderson Braddock Silva on 21 September 2020. Buchecha defeated Anderson via North South Choke. Not only has Buchecha had an exceptional BJJ career he also continues to make history in MMA.

Nowadays Marcus Almeida is focused on his MMA career. He belongs to those few who like to make the best out of whatever they choose to indulge themselves in.  So, after BJJ, he is killing his MMA career with the same enthusiasm, skills and commitment. His MMA fighting skills are immaculate. No fighter can stand his brutal punches. His MMA fights are the golden fights of his fighting career.

Kirill Grishenko is an MMA fighter. Before Marcus Almeida, Kirill Grishenko was the former ONE Interim Heavyweight World Champion. Grishenko, being an excellent MMA fighter, had a fabulous standing game while dodging the punches of Marcus Almeida. After 1 minute in the fight, Marcus Almeida hurled toward Kirill Grishenko and pulled Grishenko on top of him. Marcus Almeida instantly threw the Ashi Garami and submitted him via Heel Hook. He submitted Grishenko in only 1 minute and 6 seconds. It was one of the deadliest submissions by Marcus Almeida in MMA.

Kang Ji Won is a ruthless MMA fighter known as the “Mighty Warrior” because of his exclusive fighting style. Kang Ji Won, before the fight, was of the view that he would make Buchecha regret the whole decision of fighting him. Knowing the fighting style of Marcus Almeida, Kang was constantly moving  as he knew that Marcus Almeida would go for the takedown. So, Kang tried to remain mobile during the whole fight. The fight got intense when Marcus Almeida took Kang by the double leg takedown and rained down punches on him brutally. Buchecha submitted Kang by the Rear Naked Choke in only 4 minutes and 22 seconds.

Simon Carson is an MMA fighter. He is known for his leg attacks. Marcus Almeida applied the half-guard but Carson immediately escaped. Buchecha’s powerful pouches slowed Carson's pace. Simon Carson trapped Marcus Almeida’s leg in the leglock but Buchecha flicked his legs and escaped the leglock. Buchecha gained the dominant position and kept on throwing punches at Carson’s head. Simon Carson tried to lock the punches with his hand but did not succeed in that attempt. Marcus Almeida won the fight against Simon Carson.

Anderson Silva, another MMA fighter was taken down by Buchecha at the very start of the fight. Silva held Buchecha by the head and aimed to use the ring at his back to stand up. But Buchecha was quick-witted enough that he turned the other way to nullify the possibility. Silva restricted Buchecha’s movements, but Buchecha escaped from Silva’s hold by applying his brutal punches. The peak moment of the fight was not the punches, it was when Buchecha struck his knee with Silva’s head. Buchecha then submitted Anderson Silva via the North-South Choke in only 3 minutes and 17 seconds.

Keenan Cornelius is a BJJ Black Belt under Andre Galvao. Buchecha’s fighting style in this match was a great show of ground grappling. He had a strong grip on Keenan Cornelius. Both competitors fought in a tough manner to get into the final. But Marcus Almeida won the fight by securing more points than Keenan.

Nicholas Meregali is a BJJ Black Belt under Mario Reis and Jeferson Adan. Marcus Almeida has a marvelous standing game. When Meregali pulled Marcus Almeida to the ground, Marcus immediately regained his standing position. The immense grip strength of Buchecha helped him to win the fight. Marcus Almeida won the fight by earning 5 points against Meregali’s 2 points.

Alexandre Ribeiro is a BJJ Black Belt under Saulo Ribeiro. He is famous for his guard passing. Marcus Almeida, as usual, was in the standing position having strong grips on Ribeiro. Marcus Almeida won the quarter-final against Alexandre Riberio by points.

Rodolfo Vieira is a BJJ Black Belt under Julio Cesar. He is currently a UFC fighter. His fight with Marcus Almeida was an intense one. Normally in BJJ, the fighter in the guard position, on the ground, is thought to have a dominant position (not always) but with Buchecha, the whole situation is reversed. That is why he won the fight with Rodolfo Vieira by securing 2 points.

Joao Rocha who is a BJJ Black Belt under Rafael Barbosa and Leandro Escobar. During the fight, it looked like Joao was going to win. Both fighters scored points against each other. Joao and Buchecha both received penalties during the match. As both fighters had scored the same points, a referee decision was required. Marcus Almeida Buchecha won the fight by referee's decision.

Bernardo Faria is a BJJ Black Belt under Ricardo Marques. Buchecha had a strong grip on Bernardo. Bernardo Faria constantly tried to imbalance Buchecha’s standing position but did not succeed. Marcus Almeida qualified for the IBJJF World Championship final by defeating Bernardo Faria. He secured 7 points against Bernardo’s 4 points.

Rodolfo Vieira is a BJJ Black Belt. He currently fights in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Marcus Almeida tried to apply the Heel Hook but Rodolfo somehow escaped. The match was going to be a tie but Marcus Almeida scored 1 more point than Rodolfo and won the quarterfinal.

Felipe Pena is a BJJ Black Belt and an ADCC Champion. Marcus Almeida won the fight by submitting Felipe Pena via Footlock. The fight lasted for only 1 minute and 37 seconds. Marcus Almeida qualified for the semi-final after this victory.

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida vs Leandro Lo / World Championship 2017

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida VS Leonardo Nogueira / World Championship 2012

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida v Kron Gracie / Pan Championship 2012

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida VS Andre Galvao / Pan Championship 2013

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida v Alexander Trans / World Championship 2014

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida v Ricardo Evangelista / World Championship 2014

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida vs Fellipe Andrew / World Championship 2018

Photo credit: @marcusbuchecha