Buchecha signs with the UFC, promotional debut set for Abu Dhabi
Decorated BJJ competitor and heavyweight MMA standout Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has signed to fight in the UFC.
One of the most accomplished grapplers in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu will soon be bringing his talents to the UFC. On Monday, MMA Fighting reported that legendary BJJ competitor Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida will make his hotly anticipated UFC debut on July 26, 2025, at a UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi when he takes on Slovakia’s Martin Buday.
On Tuesday, Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida confirmed that he has officially signed to compete in the UFC. He made the announcement on Instagram.
As a 13-time IBJJF world champion in the gi, a four-time IBJJF no-gi world champion, and a two-time ADCC world champion, Buchecha brings an unparalleled BJJ resume to his still-young MMA career. After earning silver in the final of the absolute division at the 2019 ADCC World Championships, he would shift his efforts to MMA.
The Brazilian made his professional MMA debut back in 2021 at ONE: Revolution, scoring a first-round submission victory. He would subsequently rattle off three more first-round stoppage victories, all in ONE Championship, to establish himself as one of the promotion’s top heavyweight MMA contenders.
In August 2023, Buchecha dropped a hard-fought, back-and-forth decision to current ONE heavyweight MMA champion “Reug Reug” Oumar Kane. He would then sit on the sidelines for more than a year before returning to action in November 2024 with a first-round submission victory over Amir Aliakbari at ONE 169.
Given his BJJ credentials and proven submission skills in MMA, the 35-year-old stands to make an immediate impact in the UFC’s heavyweight division. First, though, he’ll have to get past the surging Buday.
Buday made his UFC debut in 2022 and currently boasts a 6-1 promotional record. He’ll come into his clash against Buchecha riding a two-fight winning streak.
How to watch: Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida vs. Martin Buday takes place on July 26, 2025, at UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs. De Ridder and will air live on ABC and ESPN+ beginning at 3:00 PM EST.
