Current world number 1 Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competitor Marcus Almeida “Buchecha” is in Abu Dhabi ahead of the World Professional Jiu-jitsu Championship. “Buchecha” won both the 2013 and 2014 absolute division world titles in dramatic fashion and will be defending his title for the third time this year.
Buchecha told Tatame what he expects from the competition:

“What is your expectation for this year’s World Pro in Abu Dhabi?

The expectation for this year is very good, I trained a lot, I’m very focused. The camp was very good there in California, trained with the same guys I’ve been training with for three years. Leo Vieira, head of Checkmat, pulled this camp for us, so everything was very specific for this competition. So I guess I did it right and I think I have a good mental, willing to fight, and I think that it will be a good competition. We managed to come a couple of weeks before to Dubai, with ten people of Checkmat, with athletes who are black belts, we made camp at Team Nogueira Dubai, so it was really nice to come here before to get used to the weather, so I think this was the difference in our team for this year, because we always came two days before the competition, and it was very complicated, because we had to deal with the time, so now it is much better.

You are the current absolute champion (in weight he has won three times). Certainly you feel more pressure before. Does the fact of fighting for money, increases anxiety and nervousness? 

I think, being the champion or not, I always have that nervousness, the butterflies in my belly.  I have the will to fight, but I do not like to think about the pressure, because I think when you fight under pressure, things end up going the wrong way. So I prefer not to think about that side of the pressure and try to fight as I always fought, as I came here in the first year, when I had never won anything yet, and will fight, not with the thought that I have to defend my title , I have to break someone’s record, this is the thought that I do not remove from my head. So I came here, is another year, it’s a competition, like all others, and I’m fighting for what I like, because it’s my life, and not for others. I do it for me. I think that ends up not being responsible, I think if it were so, then I would be fighting for others, but I want to fight for me, for my reasons and forget this pressure and nervousness.”

The expectation of the fans is a new confrontation between you and Rodolfo Vieira. Are you already thinking about it or is early to talk about a new confrontation between you?

Sure, everyone always talks about what is happening in major finals, about my match with Rodolfo, but I did not think about it now, because I think it is very early. We have the category before. I prefer not to think against who I fight, I just want to get there well prepared and will fight against those who I have to fight. Of course if the final is against him then it would be pretty cool, because Rodolfo is a guy who fights back and is an athlete that I respect a lot. he does the real Jiu-Jitsu, not fight with a rule book under his arm . But for this to happen, I need to get to the final and he too, so I think it’s too early to think about it.”