Marcus Almeida
Heavyweight size with a lightweight's movement
- Born
- January 8, 1990, Santos, São Paulo, Brazil
- Nationality
Brazil- Height
- 191 cm (6′3″)
- Reach
- 197 cm (6′6″)
- Style
- Athletic heavyweight pressure
- Weight
- Ultra-heavyweight, Open class, ADCC +99 kg, Heavyweight (MMA)
- Active
- 2010–present
- Status
- Active · age 36
The record
BJJ Heroes record in major events, 2010-2019: wins by 72 submissions, 53 on points, 9 on advantages, 3 by referee decision; 4 of 14 losses by submission. Professional MMA record 5-3-1 (UFC.com).
13× IBJJF World Champion (men's record), 2× ADCC
The story
arcus Almeida started jiu-jitsu at 14, after his sister's classes drew the whole family to the gym, and his coach Rodrigo Cavaca nicknamed him Buchecha for his chubby cheeks. He grew into a heavyweight who moved like a much lighter man, and between 2012 and 2019 he won 13 IBJJF world titles, seven in the ultra-heavy class and six in the absolute, the most by any man. He added ADCC gold over 99 kg in 2013 and 2017. His 2012 draw and 2017 loss against Roger Gracie, and the 2019 ADCC absolute final he lost to Gordon Ryan on a penalty, were among the defining heavyweight matches of the decade. A professional MMA fighter since 2020, he competed for ONE Championship before joining the UFC's heavyweight division in 2025.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- IBJJF World champion ×13 (ultra-heavy 2012-2014 and 2016-2019; absolute 2012-2014, 2016, 2017, 2019)
- ADCC champion (2013, 2017; +99 kg)
- IBJJF No-Gi World champion 2011 (weight and absolute)
- IBJJF Hall of Fame
Defining matches
- 2012DRAWvs Roger Gracie (Metamoris 1)
- 2013WINvs Rodolfo Vieira (10-0 on points, IBJJF Worlds absolute final)
- 2013WINvs João Rocha (heel hook, ADCC +99 kg final)
- 2017WINvs Leandro Lo (advantage, IBJJF Worlds absolute final)
- 2019LOSSvs Gordon Ryan (penalty, ADCC absolute final)
Learn Buchecha's double-leg: change levels with your head tight on the opponent's chest, step your lead knee between their feet and drive through, then land straight into a pass instead of stopping in their guard.
