“Go back and avenge my loss” - ‘Buchecha’ hopes to settle the score with new heavyweight champ ‘Reug Reug’ down the line
Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida re-asserted his status as a legitimate contender in the ONE heavyweight MMA ranks with a statement-making win at ONE 169 last Friday, Nov.8.
The 17-time BJJ world champion needed less than a round to submit the red-hot Amir Aliakbari, to improve his overall MMA record to 5-1.
Now, this is where things get interesting. The lone loss of 'Buchecha's career came at the hands of 'Reug Reug' Oumar Kane.
It just so happens that the Senegalese monster defeated Anatoly Malykhin in the main event of ONE 169 to become the new heavyweight MMA world titleholder.
In his post-event interview with The Bangkok Post's Nick Atkin, the Brazilian expressed his desire to avenge that bitter defeat to the champ somewhere down the line.
"Yeah, for sure. As a fighter, as an athlete, I always want to go back and avenge my loss, that’s what I did my whole career in jiu-jitsu. When somebody beat me, I want to beat my opponent again. Nothing personal, just a personal achievement. So MMA wouldn’t be different."
For now, it remains unclear if 'Buchecha' and 'Reug Reug's paths will cross again in the near future. If not, the American Top Team and Evolve MMA representative wouldn't mind fighting another fellow contender to earn himself a shot against Kane.
Check out 'Buchecha's interview in its entirety:
'Buchecha' says first-round submission of Amir Aliakbari went exactly as he planned
Marcus 'Buchecha' expected a tough night against the streaking Amir Aliakbari, who came into ONE 169 with a four-fight winning streak.
However, the 34-year-old BJJ royalty had the utmost confidence that he'd get the upper hand once the fight hit the ground.
True to his word, 'Buchecha' pounced on the Iranian wrestler as soon as he exposed his back. Within a matter of seconds, the most decorated BJJ athlete of all time was able to lock in a rear-naked choke and get the tap. He said in his in-ring interview with Mitch Chilson:
"That's what I had in my mind. Sooner or later, I would be finishing him on his back and get the job done. It was exactly what I envisioned."
The full replay of ONE 169: Malykhin vs Reug Reug is available on demand for Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada