One of the most decorated grapplers in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, is officially heading to the UFC!
The 13-time IBJJF World Champion will make his highly anticipated promotional debut on July 26th, 2025, at UFC on ABC 9, where he’s scheduled to face off against No. 13-ranked heavyweight Martin Buday.
Rumors about Buchecha’s move to the UFC had been circulating for months, and now that the deal is done, it marks a major coup for the promotion.
As Buchecha was arguably the most sought-after free agent in MMA, and landing him adds a powerful new force to the UFC’s heavyweight division.
His grappling resume speaks for itself – no other athlete has claimed more IBJJF world titles.
After leaving Jiu-Jitsu behind in 2019 to pursue MMA full-time, Buchecha joined ONE Championship and made an immediate impact.
He racked up four straight first-round finishes, quickly establishing himself as a legitimate prospect in the division.
That momentum hit a roadblock in 2023, when Buchecha suffered his first professional MMA loss to Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane.
Rather than rush back into the cage, he took time off to refine his skills and returned stronger – earning another first-round finish over top contender Amir Aliakbari.
That win marked the final fight of his ONE Championship contract, and rather than re-sign, Buchecha opted to test free agency.
The gamble paid off.
Now with the UFC, Buchecha will debut against a ranked opponent right out of the gate – something rarely seen in a fighter’s first match with the promotion.
Martin Buday, with a 6-1 UFC record and an overall MMA record of 15-2, presents a serious challenge.
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