Marcus `Buchecha` Almeida, a formidable heavyweight, is now setting his sights on the UFC championship currently held by Tom Aspinall. However, his journey to this significant stage was not without its moments of doubt regarding his career trajectory.
His signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship was officially announced in early July. This move came after Almeida, widely recognized as MMA`s premier heavyweight grappler, concluded his tenure with ONE Championship as a free agent.
Almeida initially joined ONE Championship in 2020, following a legendary career in Brazilian jiu-jitsu where he secured numerous world and ADCC submission fighting titles, cementing his status as an all-time great in the sport.
Despite an auspicious start, the 35-year-old soon encountered periods of inactivity, leading him to question whether his mixed martial arts career was facing an untimely conclusion.
Near Retirement in ONE Championship: Almeida`s Path to a `Dream` UFC Signing
In a recent discussion with MMA Fighting, ‘Buchecha’ commented on his coveted transfer to the UFC, taking the opportunity to look back at the difficulties he faced prior to this pivotal moment.
Transitioning from jiu-jitsu to MMA, Almeida achieved an impressive record of five wins in six fights under the ONE Championship banner. His final bout in the leading Asian martial arts organization took place in November 2023, where he submitted Amir Aliakbari with a rear-naked choke.
Although this victory allowed Almeida to quickly bounce back from his prior defeat to Oumar ‘Reug Reug’ Kane, who would later become ONE`s heavyweight champion, his career momentum was stifled by prolonged periods of inactivity and scarce fight opportunities, a common issue for many athletes in ONE.
The situation became so dire that the acclaimed Brazilian grappler felt despair, contemplating retirement as he struggled to find a path forward.
Almeida stated, “It was challenging to be released from that contract, but we managed it. I honored my commitment, completed all six fights of my contract, and departed honorably. Now, as you mentioned, I am free.”
He expressed his enthusiasm for fighting, noting, “I`m eager to compete again. It`s been a long time since I approached a fight without the immense backstage pressure. While spectators only witness the action inside the ring or cage, a significant amount of stress builds up behind the scenes, adversely affecting an athlete`s mental well-being.”
Almeida further elaborated, “The thought of retiring frequently crossed my mind because I simply couldn`t endure it any longer; it was agonizing. The inability to secure fights, especially under a contract that prevented participation in other sports, was incredibly frustrating.”
“Consider my situation where I couldn`t even compete in jiu-jitsu,” he added. “That truly troubled me. Thankfully, that period is behind me. It was incredibly stressful, but now I am liberated and prepared for new challenges. Joining the UFC was always my ambition and a dream come true.”
Swift UFC Debut for Marcus Almeida
Although Almeida experienced a protracted and discouraging period of inactivity during his time with ONE Championship, his first fight in the UFC was announced almost immediately after his contract signing.
‘Buchecha’ is set to embark on his quest for the promotion`s heavyweight title this month in the Middle East, making his debut against Martin Buday at UFC Abu Dhabi.
Buday, a Slovakian heavyweight, boasts a 6-1 record in the Octagon, having secured victories in his last two outings. His only UFC loss was to Shamil Gaziev, who once headlined a UFC event, in late 2023.
Gaziev`s triumph over Buday unexpectedly led him to a main event bout against a ranked opponent. Consequently, Almeida aims to replicate this trajectory, hoping a victory at the Etihad Arena on July 26 will pave his way towards challenging champion Tom Aspinall.
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