Marcus Buchecha Eyes Fresh Challenges as MMA Free Agent After Impressive Win

Marcus Buchecha

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida, a Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend with a stellar 13 world championships, is now one of MMA’s most sought-after free agents. His victory over Amir Aliakbari at ONE 169 in Thailand capped off his contract with ONE Championship, leaving him with a strong record of 5-1 in MMA, with all wins achieved by first-round finishes. Buchecha’s next career move is yet to be decided, but he's eager to face new challenges and is considering a rematch with "Reug Reug" Oumar Kane, who claimed the ONE heavyweight title on the same event night.

Reflecting on his free-agent status, Buchecha said,

“That was the last fight of my contract, and now I’m free, I can do anything I want.”

He acknowledged that he’s working closely with his manager, Ali Abdelaziz, who’s already exploring options, and engaging in conversations with multiple promotions. Buchecha added,

“I think his phone is probably ringing right now, people are reaching out to him.”

However, the fighter hasn't ruled out re-signing with ONE Championship, noting that he’s open to “talking to everybody” and approaching the next step in his career with a clear mind.

Buchecha's MMA journey has been notable not only for its rapid success but also for the consistency of his approach. All five of his MMA victories were finished within the first round—four by submission and one by TKO. As he nears 35, Buchecha remains motivated more by his drive to conquer new challenges than by financial incentives. For him, the opportunity to test his skills further holds more appeal than any monetary offer could. He shared,

“The financial aspect is always interesting, of course, but if there’s something I don’t want to do... no money in the world would convince me.”

Despite having solidified his place in the combat sports world, Buchecha is eager to keep pushing forward in MMA.

“Many people told me during fight week that I’ve won 13 world titles [in jiu-jitsu] and didn’t need to be fighting MMA, but I’m still here, fighting. I want new challenges, I want to test myself more and more.”

With a wealth of experience and a renewed focus, Buchecha looks ahead to a future that aligns with his core passion—finding and facing new tests in the cage.