| Marcus Almeida | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida (1990-01-08)January 8, 1990 (age 36) Santos, São Paulo, Brazil |
| Other names | Buchecha |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) |
| Weight | 254 lb (115 kg; 18 st 2 lb) |
| Division | Heavyweight |
| Reach | 80 in (203 cm) |
| Style | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Team | Checkmat American Kickboxing Academy (2014–present)[1] American Top Team (2020–present)[2] |
| Rank | 4th deg.BJJ black belt[3] |
| Years active | 2011–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 8 |
| Wins | 5 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By submission | 4 |
| Losses | 2 |
| By decision | 2 |
| Draws | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
Medal record | |
Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida, also known asBuchecha (born January 8, 1990) is a Brazilian professionalmixed martial artist and 4th-degree black beltBrazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) practitioner.[a] A professional mixed martial artist since 2020, he currently competes in theHeavyweight division of theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He formerly competed in the heavyweight division ofONE Championship.
A multiple-timeWorld jiu-jitsu andADCC submission fighting champion, Buchecha is a member of theIBJJF Hall of Fame and widely considered as one of the greatest Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors of all time.
Almeida was born and grew up inSantos, São Paulo. His sister started trainingBrazilian jiu-jitsu when Marcus was 14 years old, forcing him to come along to the gym so their father Clayton could keep an eye on her.[5] Subsequently, Marcus and Clayton started training jiu-jitsu also, leading both to become black belts and the latter winningIBJJF Masters World Championship.[6] Almeida is a black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca, who gave Almeida his nicknameBuchecha, which meanscheek and is a reference to him having chubby cheeks when he was overweight.[7] Almeida competes under theCheckmat team.[8]
Despite talking about transitioning to mixed martial arts since 2015, news surfaced four years later on July 30, 2020, that Almeida had signed a multi-year contract withONE Championship.[9][10] He has been training mixed martial arts at theAmerican Kickboxing Academy and has competed in the heavyweight division.[10]
In August 2020, Almeida had to withdraw from an upcoming BJJ match withFabrício Werdum due to a knee injury that has also delayed his MMA debut for ONE FC.[11] Almeida was scheduled to make his MMA debut against Oumar Kane atONE Championship.[12] Unfortunately, Almeida was removed from the card and replaced with Alain Ngalani on 13 January 2021, reportedly due to suffering an injury in training.[13] After recovering from his injury, he was booked to make his MMA debut against Kang Ji-Won atONE on TNT 1.[14] Kang later withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons.[15]
Almeida was scheduled to face Thomas Narmo atONE Championship: Revolution on September 24, 2021.[16] Narmo later withdrew for undisclosed reasons, and was replaced byAnderson “Braddock” Silva.[17] He won the bout in the first round via north–south choke.[18]
Almeida faced Kang Ji Won atONE: Winter Warriors on December 3, 2021.[19] He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the first round.[20]
Almeida was scheduled to face Oumar "Reug Reug" Kane on April 22, 2022, atONE 156.[21] However, the week of the event, it was announced that the bout would be moved to May 20.[22] Yet, Kane withdrew from the bout citing injury and was replaced by Hugo Cunha who in turn tested positive forCOVID-19 and the bout was scrapped.[23][24] Almeida was later rescheduled to face Simon Carson atONE 158 on June 3, 2022.[25] He won the fight by a first-round technical knockout, stopping Carson with ground and pound midway through the opening round.[26]
Almeida faced Kirill Grishenko atONE on Prime Video 1 on August 27, 2022.[27] He won the bout early in the first round after submmiting Kirill with a heel hook.[28] This win earned him thePerformance of the Night award.[29]
Almeida facedOumar Kane on August 5, 2023, atONE Fight Night 13.[30][31] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[32]
A biopic entitledBuchecha: Far Beyond World Records was released in 2023.[33]
Almeida facedAmir Aliakbari on November 9, 2024, atONE 169.[34] He won the fight by submission in the first round and earned a $50,000 ‘Performance of the Night’ bonus.[35] This was the final fight of Almeida's contract, and he became a free agent after it.[36]
On July 7, 2025, it was reported that Almeida had signed withUltimate Fighting Championship; he made his promotional debut against Martin Buday on July 26, 2025, atUFC on ABC 9.[37] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[38]
Almeida facedKennedy Nzechukwu on December 13, 2025, atUFC on ESPN 73.[39] Despite Nzechukwu being deducted one point due to an eye poke, the bout ended via unanimous draw.[40]
Main Achievements (Black Belt):[5]
| 142 Matches, 128 Wins (67 Submissions), 13 Losses (6 Submissions), 1 draw | ||||||||
| Rec. | Result | Opponent | Method | Event | Division | Type | Date | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 128–13–1 |  Gordon Ryan | Negative Points (1–0) | ADCC World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | September 29, 2019 | Anaheim,CA |
| Win | 128–12–1 |  Mahamed Aly | Submission (rear naked choke) | |||||
| Win | 127–12–1 | Aaron Johnson | Points (3–0) | |||||
| Win | 126–12–1 | Keith Krikorian | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Loss | 125–12–1 | Kaynan Duarte | Referee Decision | +99 kg | ||||
| Win | 125–11–1 | Victor Hugo | Points (3–0) | September 28, 2019 | ||||
| Win | 124–11–1 | Antonio Braga Neto | Points (2–0) | |||||
| Win | 123–11–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Submission (bow & arrow choke) | IBJJF World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | June 2, 2018 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 122–11–1 | Max Gimenis | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 121–11–1 | Thomas McMahon | Points (11–0) | |||||
| Win | 120–11–1 | Felipe Andrew | Submission (armbar) | Absolute | June 1, 2018 | |||
| Win | 119–11–1 | Felipe Pena | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 118–11–1 | Otavio Nalati | Points (13–0) | |||||
| Loss | 117–11–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Advantages | BJJ Stars | Superfight | Gi | February 23, 2019 | São Paulo |
| Win | 117–10–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Referee Decision | IBJJF World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | June 3, 2018 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 116–10–1 | Victor Honório | Submission (kimura) | |||||
| Win | 115–10–1 | Otavio Nalati | Points (2–0) | |||||
| Win | 114–10–1 | Max Gimenis | Submission (choke) | June 2, 2018 | ||||
| Win | 113–10–1 | Nicholas Meregali | Points (5–2) | Absolute | ||||
| Win | 112–10–1 | Felipe Andrews | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 111–10–1 | Rodrigo Martins | Points (2–0) | |||||
| Win | 110–10–1 | Mahamed Aly | Points | ACBJJ | Superfight | Gi | May 5, 2018 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 109–10–1 | Mahamed Aly | Submission (heel hook) | ADCC World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | September 24, 2017 |  Espoo |
| Loss | 108–10–1 | Felipe Pena | Submission (rear naked choke) | |||||
| Win | 108–9–1 | Alexandre Ribeiro | Referee Decision | |||||
| Win | 107–9–1 | Mike Perez | Negative Points (0–1) | |||||
| Win | 106–9–1 | Orlando Sanchez | Points (6–0) | +99 kg | ||||
| Win | 105–9–1 | Roberto Abreu | Points (4–0) | |||||
| Win | 104–9–1 | Tim Spriggs | Submission (rear naked choke) | September 23, 2017 | ||||
| Win | 103–9–1 |  Arman Zhanpeisov | Submission (rear naked choke) | |||||
| Win | 102–9–1 | Leandro Lo | Referee Decision | IBJJF Pro Grand Prix | Absolute | Gi | August 26, 2017 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 101–9–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 100–9–1 | Dimitrius Souza | Advantages (2–0) | |||||
| Loss | 99–9–1 | Roger Gracie | Submission (choke) | Gracie Pro | Superfight | Gi | July 23, 2017 | Rio de Janeiro |
| Win | 99–8–1 | Leandro Lo | Advantages | IBJJF World Championship | Absolute | Gi | June 4, 2017 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 98–8–1 | Gustavo Elias | Submission (brabo choke) | +100 kg | ||||
| Win | 97–8–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Submission (ezekiel choke) | |||||
| Win | 96–8–1 | Igor Schneider | Points (13–7) | |||||
| Win | 95–8–1 | Erberth Santos | Points (2–0) | Absolute | June 3, 2017 | |||
| Win | 94–8–1 | Mahamad Aly | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 93–8–1 | Igor Schneider | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 92–8–1 | Rafael Lovato Jr. | Points (5–0) | ADCC North American Trials | Superfight | Nogi | April 15, 2017 | Los Angeles,CA |
| Win | 91–8–1 | Eliot Marshall | Submission (inverted triangle) | Fight 2 Win | Superfight | Nogi | August 13, 2016 | Denver,CO |
| Win | 90–8–1 | Leo Nogueira | Advantages | IBJJF Pro Grand Prix | Absolute | Gi | July 10, 2016 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 89–8–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Points (7–0) | |||||
| Win | 88–8–1 | Bruno Bastos | Submission (bow & arrow choke) | |||||
| Win | 87–8–1 | Erberth Santos | Points (4–2) | IBJJF World Championship | Absolute | Gi | Long Beach,CA | |
| Win | 86–8–1 | James Puepolo | Submission (armbar) | +100 kg | ||||
| Win | 85–8–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 84–8–1 | Felipe Pena | Submission (armbar) | Absolute | ||||
| Win | 83–8–1 | Pedro Moura | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 82–8–1 |  Elliot Kelly | Points (6–0) | |||||
| Loss | 81–8–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Advantages | IBJJF World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2015 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 81–7–1 | Alan Regis | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 80–7–1 | Gabriel Checco | Submission (estima lock) | JJ World League | Superfight | Gi | ||
| Win | 79–7–1 |  Alexander Trans | Advantages | World Cup | Absolute | Gi |  Abu Dhabi | |
| Win | 78–7–1 | Leandro Lo | Advantages | |||||
| Win | 77–7–1 | Erberth Santos | Submission (estima lock) | |||||
| Win | 76–7–1 | Helcio Pinto | Submission (guillotine choke) | |||||
| Win | 75–7–1 | Alexander Trans | Points (2–0) | +95 kg | ||||
| Win | 74–7–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Submission (guillotine choke) | |||||
| Win | 73–7–1 | Rodrigo Perriera | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 72–7–1 | Rodolfo Vieira | Points (2–0) | IBJJF World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2014 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 71–7–1 | Alexander Trans | Submission (choke) | +100 kg | ||||
| Win | 70–7–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 69–7–1 | Helton Nogueira | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 68–7–1 | Keenan Cornelius | Points (10–4) | Absolute | ||||
| Win | 67–7–1 | Felipe Pena | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 66–7–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Advantages | |||||
| Win | 65–7–1 | James Nunes | Submission (armbar) | |||||
| Win | 64–7–1 | Alexander Trans | Points (2–0) | World Cup | +95 kg | Gi | Abu Dhabi | |
| Win | 63–7–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Advantages | |||||
| Win | 62–7–1 | Allan Ferreira | Points (7–0) | |||||
| Win | 61–7–1 | Rodolfo Vieira | Points (2–0) | Absolute | ||||
| Win | 60–7–1 | Keenan Cornelius | Advantages | |||||
| Win | 59–7–1 | Victor Estima | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 58–7–1 | Claudio Calasans | Submission (choke) | |||||
| Win | 57–7–1 |  Luca Anacoreta | Submission (katagatame) | |||||
| Loss | 56–7–1 | Roberto Abreu | Points (0–10) | ADCC World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | 2013 |  Beijing |
| Win | 56–6–1 | Dean Lister | Points (5–0) | ADCC 2013 | Absolute | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 55–6–1 | Garry Tonon | Points | ADCC 2013 | Absolute | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 54–6–1 | João Gabriel Rocha | Submission (heel hook) | ADCC 2013 | +99 kg | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 53–6–1 | Roberto Abreu | Points | ADCC 2013 | +99 kg | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 52–6–1 |  Hideki Sekine | Submission (kimura) | ADCC 2013 | +99 kg | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 51–6–1 | Jimmy Friedrich | Submission (toe hold) | ADCC 2013 | +99 kg | Nogi | 2013 | |
| Win | 50–6–1 | Rodolfo Vieira | Points (10–0) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 49–6–1 | Alexander Trans | Referee Decision | World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 48–6–1 | Igor Silva | Referee Decision | World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 47–6–1 | Bernardo Faria | Points (7–4) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 46–6–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Submission (ezekiel choke) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 45–6–1 | Bruno Bastos | Submission (triangle choke) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 44–6–1 | Flavius Luis | Submission (kimura) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 43–6–1 | Rodolfo Vieira | Points (4–2) | World Cup | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | Abu Dhabi |
| Win | 42–6–1 | Tarsis Humphreys | Points | World Cup | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 41–6–1 | Roberto Abreu | Points (4–3) | World Cup | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | |
| Loss | 40–6–1 | Rodrigo Cavaca | Points (2=7) | World Cup | +100 kg | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 40–5–1 | Ricardo Evangelista | Points (2–0) | World Cup | +100 kg | Gi | 2013 | |
| Win | 39–5–1 | André Galvão | Points (4–2) | Pan American Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2013 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 38–5–1 | Bernardo Faria | Points (9–2) | |||||
| Win | 37–5–1 | Gustavo Campos | Points (19–2) | |||||
| Win | 36–5–1 | Marcel Goulart | Submission (inverted triangle) | Absolute | ||||
| Draw | 35–5–1 | Roger Gracie | Decision | Metamoris | Superfight | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 35–5 | Leo Nogueira | Points (8–4) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 34–5 | Márcio Cruz | Points (4–2) | World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 33–5 | Igor Silva | Submission (kneebar) | World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 32–5 | Alex Soares | Submission (choke) | World Championship | +100 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 31–5 | Bernardo Faria | Submission (Choke) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 30–5 | Rodolfo Vieira | Points (8–7) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 29–5 | Roberto Alencar | Submission (triangle choke) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 28–5 | Raymond Warren | Submission (armbar) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 27–5 | Antonio Braga Neto | Submission (footlock) | World Cup | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | Abu Dhabi |
| Win | 26–5 | José Junior | Submission (armbar) | World Cup | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 25–5 | Thiago Souza | Points (2–0) | World Cup | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 24–5 | Mike Wilson | Points (15–0) | World Cup | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 23–5 | Adrian Nalito | Submission (toe hoke) | Gramado Trials | +94 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 22–5 | Alexander Trans | Points (2–0) | Pan American Championship | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 21–5 | Kitner Moura | Submission (omoplata) | Pan American Championship | +99 kg | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 20–5 | Kron Gracie | Submission (kneebar) | Pan American Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 19–5 | Murilo Santana | Points (10–0) | Pan American Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 18–5 | Matt Jubera | Submission (choke) | Pan American Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 17–5 | Marcus Alentari | Submission (armbar) | Pan American Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 16–5 | Leandro Lo | Points | CBJJE Pan Ams | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 15–5 | Claudio Calasans | Points | CBJJE Pan Ams | Absolute | Gi | 2012 | |
| Win | 14–5 | Antonio Peinado | Submission (darce choke) | Nogi World Championship | +97.5 kg | Nogi | 2011 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 13–5 |  Joackim Hallum | Submission | Nogi World Championship | +97.5 kg | Nogi | 2011 | |
| Win | 12–5 | Alberto Vilanova | Submission (triangle choke) | Nogi World Championship | +97.5 kg | Nogi | 2011 | |
| Win | 11–5 | James Harbison | Submission (toe hold) | Nogi World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | 2011 | |
| Win | 10–5 | Marcelo Goncalves | Points (4–0) | Nogi World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | 2011 | |
| Win | 9–5 | Joackim Hallum | Points (24–2) | Nogi World Championship | Absolute | Nogi | 2011 | |
| Loss | 8–5 | André Galvão | Submission | World Cup Trials | Superfight | Gi | 2011 | |
| Loss | 8–4 | Vinny Magalhães | Submission (toe hold) | Ultimate Absolute NYC | Absolute | Nogi | July 30, 2011 | New York City,NY |
| Loss | 8–3 | Leo Nogueira | Referee Decision | IBJJF World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | Long Beach,CA |
| Win | 8–2 | Antonio Peinado | Submission (toe hold) | World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 7–2 | Charles Dantas | Submission (wrist lock) | World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Rodolfo Vieira | Submission (armbar) | World Championship | Absolute | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 6–1 | Antonio Braga Neto | Submission (bow & arrow choke) | World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 5–1 | Antonio Pega Leve | Submission (toe hold) | World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 4–1 | Charles Dantas | Submission | World Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Loss | 3–1 | Lúcio Rodrigues | Points (0–5) | World Cup | –92 kg | Gi | 2011 | Abu Dhabi |
| Win | 3–0 | Caio Alencar | Submission | World Cup | –92 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 2–0 | Antonio Braga Neto | Submission (toe hold) | World Cup | –92 kg | Gi | 2011 | |
| Win | 1–0 | Bruno Bastos | Submission (cross choke) | Pan American Championship | –100 kg | Gi | 2011 | Long Beach,CA |
| 8 matches | 5 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 1 | 0 |
| By submission | 4 | 0 |
| By decision | 0 | 2 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Draw | 5–2–1 | Kennedy Nzechukwu | Draw (unanimous) | UFC on ESPN: Royval vs. Kape | December 13, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Nzechukwu was deducted one point in round 2 due to an eye poke. |
| Loss | 5–2 | Martin Buday | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder | July 26, 2025 | 3 | 5:00 | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | |
| Win | 5–1 | Amir Aliakbari | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE 169 | November 9, 2024 | 1 | 3:15 | Bangkok, Thailand | Performance of the Night. |
| Loss | 4–1 | Oumar Kane | Decision (unanimous) | ONE Fight Night 13 | August 5, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Bangkok, Thailand | |
| Win | 4–0 | Kirill Grishenko | Submission (heel hook) | ONE on Prime Video 1 | August 27, 2022 | 1 | 1:04 | Kallang, Singapore | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 3–0 | Simon Carson | TKO (punches) | ONE 158 | June 3, 2022 | 1 | 2:24 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 2–0 | Kang Ji-won | Submission (rear-naked choke) | ONE: Winter Warriors | December 3, 2021 | 1 | 2:27 | Kallang, Singapore | |
| Win | 1–0 | Anderson Silva | Submission (north-south choke) | ONE: Revolution | September 24, 2021 | 1 | 2:55 | Kallang, Singapore | Heavyweight debut. |
Carlos Gracie Sr. >Carlson Gracie > Élcio Figueiredo > Rodrigo Cavaca > Marcus Almeida
