Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, widely regarded as the most accomplished competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu history, says he has no interest in returning to the sport as an active competitor.
During a recent Instagram Q&A, the 13-time IBJJF world champion was asked whether he plans to compete in Jiu-Jitsu again.
His answer left little room for doubt:
Honestly, I don’t. I think that my mission was fulfilled in the sport. I think I was able to realize my dreams. I was able to achieve my goals.
I think that if I competed today, it would be for ego. And ego is not the right reason for me.
Looking back on his career, Buchecha explained that his perspective on success has changed over time:
I realized that it wasn’t about reaching the destination, it wasn’t about being champion.
What really completed me was the process.
When asked which of his 13 world titles meant the most, Buchecha pointed to his 2016 championship victory.
The title came one year after suffering a devastating knee injury at the 2015 World Championship, where he tore three ligaments and faced one of the toughest periods of his career:
This injury was one of the most difficult moments in my career. It made me reflect a lot.
But after all this, I realized that it was the best thing that happened in my life.
His return to the top was made even more memorable because of the role played by his close friend and longtime training partner, Leandro Lo:
He said he wouldn’t be able to compete against me. We were already very close friends.
And he simply gave up his dream to let me go straight to the finals.
The conversation also turned to the toughest opponent of his career.
Buchecha identified fellow world champion Rodolfo Vieira as his greatest rival:
He was the biggest opponent, the biggest rival I had in my career.
For sure, the first match he won, he finished me.And I remember that this was a motivation I had during 365 days until we competed again.
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