WATCH: BJJ legend Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida shows off his artistry in submission win over Kang Ji Won
Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) legend Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida has been making waves since joining the ONE heavyweight MMA division in 2021. In December of that year, he showcased his BJJ mastery against South Korean star Kang Ji Won at ONE: Winter Warriors.
After taking 'Mighty Warrior' down with an explosive single-leg takedown, Almeida softened up Kang with ground-and-pound strikes. Kang attempted to return to his feet, but Almeida rewarded him with a rear-naked choke finish instead.
Watch Almeida's first-round submission of Kang, which ONE shared on YouTube:
Earning three submission wins thus far in his ONE tenure, Almeida proved in June 2022 that his dominance is not strictly limited to submissions by battering Simon Carson for a first-round TKO.
However, the American Top Team and Evolve MMA star suffered his first loss in the world's largest martial arts promotion at the hands of Senegalese wrestling machine Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in August 2023.
Almeida will look to return to the win column when he faces the ever-fearsome Amir Aliakbari at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. 'Reug Reug' on Nov. 8 inside the Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand.
'Buchecha' seemingly predicted upcoming Amir Aliakbari clash in December 2022
Marcus Almeida has been studying Amir Aliakbari since watching the physically imposing Iranian dominate former ONE heavyweight MMA world champion Brandon Vera at ONE 164 in December 2022.
'Buchecha' said in an interview with ONE:
"This was his second victory in the organization, so now his record has improved. Amir Aliakbari fought well, landed a good takedown, and worked his ground-and-pound well. It was a very technical fight. It was very good to watch and also to study."
ONE 169 will air live and free to all Prime Video subscribers in the United States and Canada.