Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida: The Giant with 13 Crown
Discover the career of Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, the all-time record holder with 13 IBJJF world titles. From São Vicente to the UFC, his revolutionary style, legendary rivalries and...
Discover the career of Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, the all-time record holder with 13 IBJJF world titles. From São Vicente to the UFC, his revolutionary style, legendary rivalries and unique legacy in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Table Of Content
When History Shifted at Long Beach
A packed arena, the crowd holding its breath… IBJJF Worlds 2012 final, Long Beach. A massive yet surprisingly mobile young Brazilian faces Rodolfo Vieira, widely considered untouchable. Minutes later, the jiu-jitsu world has witnessed an earthquake: Marcus Almeida, nicknamed “Buchecha,” dethrones the division’s king and announces a new era.
That fight would become the founding act of an unprecedented reign. In under a decade, Marcus Buchecha Almeida would collect 13 IBJJF world titles in the gi — an all-time record — and redefine what it means to be a heavyweight in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
From São Vicente to the Top of BJJ
Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida was born on January 8, 1990, in Santos, São Paulo state. He grew up in São Vicente, a modest coastal town far from the wealthy neighborhoods of the metropolis. The nickname “Buchecha” — meaning “chubby cheeks” in Portuguese — came from his future coach Rodrigo Cavaca.
Under Cavaca’s guidance within the Checkmat team, Buchecha quickly developed a rare combination: heavyweight frame, lightweight coordination, and above all, an immense hunger. The early days were anything but triumphant — many defeats, plenty of doubt, and even thoughts of quitting at 16. But Marcus held on, forging the iron mentality that would define his entire career.
To discover the childhood stories, personal anecdotes and philosophy of the man behind the champion, read our portrait: Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida: The Man Behind the Legend.
A Decade of Dominance
2012–2014: The Emergence
The world discovers Buchecha. His fights aren’t just won — they’re imposed. He surprises observers with his mobility and willingness to attempt moves no heavyweight had dared before. Fans quickly nickname him “the hurricane,” such is his relentless pace.
2015–2017: The Peak
Beyond his power, Buchecha develops strategic maturity. He knows when to accelerate and when to slow down, when to play guard and when to pass. His rivalries with Leandro Lo, Rodolfo Vieira and Cyborg Abreu become instant classics — matches studied by coaches and dissected by fans worldwide.
ADCC 2017: he wins the +99 kg division and reaches the absolute final, where he falls to Felipe Pena. A tournament marked by a colossal work rate and a hand injury that had been lingering since the summer.
2018–2019: The Trial and Confirmation
His knee injury could have ended his career. Instead, it transformed him. Upon his return, it’s no longer just explosiveness that defines Marcus Buchecha Almeida — it’s tactical wisdom, a patience that completes his arsenal. This comeback wasn’t just a sporting victory; it was a human one.
A Revolutionary Style
Watching Buchecha compete is watching a paradox in motion: a giant who moves like a cat. Where other heavyweights settle for crushing, he dances.
Technical Characteristics
- Active guard and seamless transitions
- Total versatility: effective everywhere on the mat
- Exceptional mobility for a heavyweight frame
- Constant pace and intelligent pressure
Signature Submissions
- Back take followed by rear naked choke
- Kimura from half guard
- Transitional chokes (darce, anaconda)
Impact on the Division
He transformed the perception of heavyweights: from static powerhouses, they became complete athletes. His toreado pass inspired generations. His heavyweight berimbolo proved that no technique has a weight limit and is ability to play everywhere — guard, top, transitions — redefined the global standard.
Transition to MMA
Switching sports at the peak of your powers: few dare. Buchecha did. He entered MMA with humility, approaching it as a beginner learning everything from scratch, structuring his rise step by step.
ONE Championship (2021-2024)
Signed in July 2020, he made his debut on September 24, 2021, and put together an impressive run:
- ONE: Revolution (Sept. 24, 2021) — submission win vs Anderson Silva (R1)
- ONE: Winter Warriors (Dec. 3, 2021) — submission win vs Kang Ji Won (R1)
- ONE 158 (June 3, 2022) — TKO win vs Simon Carson (R1)
- ONE on Prime Video 1 (Aug. 27, 2022) — submission win vs Kirill Grishenko (R1), Performance of the Night
- ONE Fight Night 13 (Aug. 4, 2023) — unanimous decision loss vs Oumar “Reug Reug” Kane
- ONE 169 (Nov. 9, 2024) — submission win vs Amir Aliakbari (R1), Performance of the Night
These early results confirmed that his jiu-jitsu — top control, clean transitions, relentless pressure — translates effectively inside the cage, while also revealing the challenges of mastering distance management, clinch work and strike defense.
UFC (2025)
On July 7, 2025, Marcus Buchecha Almeida signed with the UFC. He made his debut on July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi against Martin Buday. Despite an honorable performance, he lost by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28), landing just 1 takedown out of 11 attempts — a lesson in the adaptation required at MMA’s highest level.
Current MMA record: 5 wins – 2 losses
Legacy and Influence
His legacy goes beyond medals. Marcus Buchecha Almeida showed that body type doesn’t define style, that humility can accompany dominance, and that a champion can remain an eternal student.
Records and Honors
- 13 IBJJF world titles in the gi (all-time record)
- 7 weight class titles, 6 absolute titles
- ADCC 2017 champion (+99 kg)
- IBJJF Hall of Fame member
Influence on the Next Generation
Today, every heavyweight who plays guard, every explosive pass, every kimura from half guard carries a piece of his imprint. From Nicholas Meregali to Kaynan Duarte, many acknowledge that Buchecha paved the way for a new generation of mobile heavyweights.
A documentary titled “Buchecha: Far Beyond World Records” was released in 2023, a testament to his cultural impact beyond the sport itself.
Conclusion
Marcus Buchecha Almeida will go down in history as the man who revolutionized an entire division. Before him, heavyweights were confined to brute force. After him, they became complete artists, capable of dancing as much as crushing.
His 13 world titles tell only part of the story. What truly matters is the profound transformation he imposed on jiu-jitsu: proving that no body type should limit creativity, that no frame defines style.
His transition to MMA, begun past the age of 30, speaks to a rare courage: the willingness to become a beginner again after dominating an art. Whether this new chapter leads to UFC glory or remains an exploration, Buchecha has already made history by showing that greatness lies not in perfection, but in the ability to reinvent yourself.
To discover the man behind the records — his childhood, philosophy, friendships and social commitment — read Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida: The Man Behind the Legend.
FAQ
How many IBJJF world titles does Marcus Buchecha Almeida hold? 13 titles in the gi — an all-time record.
What is his signature technique? The back take followed by rear naked choke, along with the kimura from half guard and heel hooks in MMA.
What is his MMA record? 5 wins, 2 losses (5 finishes in 7 fights).
Why is he considered the greatest BJJ heavyweight of all time? Because he combined mobility, versatility and pressure, redefining the standards of the heavyweight division while maintaining exemplary humility.
