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The wait is over, and Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida has officially made his presence felt once again in the world of mixed martial arts. Stepping into the cage for the first time since 2023, the Brazilian powerhouse didn't waste any time securing a dominant victory. In his highly-anticipated return at ONE 169, held at the iconic Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Almeida reminded everyone why he's one of the most feared submission artists in the sport.
Facing seasoned heavyweight Amir Aliakbari (14-4), Almeida (5-1) displayed clinical precision, needing over three minutes to assert his dominance. From the opening bell, it was clear that "Buchecha" had no intentions of letting this fight go the distance. At exactly 3:15 of Round 1, Almeida locked in a fight-ending rear-naked choke, forcing Aliakbari to tap out.
The win not only marked his first victory since 2022 but also underscored his impeccable finishing rate. All five of Almeida's MMA wins have come by stoppage, proving his transition from Brazilian jiu-jitsu to MMA has been successful.
Almeida’s victory was a sigh of relief for the 34-year-old, who had been vocal about his frustration with being sidelined.
"I was eager to get back in the cage," Almeida shared in a recent interview.
Now that he's back in action, his sights are set on bigger challenges, especially as he finds himself navigating free agency.
With his contract with ONE Championship now complete, Almeida is reportedly exploring his options. But whether he stays with ONE or ventures into new territory, one thing is clear: Almeida’s grappling game remains unmatched. A 4th-degree black belt with multiple world titles under his belt, he's proven that his elite jiu-jitsu skills translate perfectly to the MMA world.
The question now is, where does "Buchecha" go from here? After a year away, Almeida's swift return to form has reignited interest from fans and promotions alike. With a perfect finishing record (outside of his lone decision loss to Reug Reug last year), the Brazilian legend's next move will undoubtedly attract significant attention.
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