Buchecha reveals if he’s really retired from BJJ ahead of ONE: Winter Warriors.
Brazilian Jiu-jitsu legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida admits his motivation to compete in BJJ has begun to fade as he has found a new challenge in his life … MMA
Almeida, an IBJJF Hall of Famer has spent virtually every year since his grappling debut in 2011 competing with and defeating some of the sport’s most accomplished grapplers and managed to notch up multiple world titles in the process.
But it seems that ahead of his sophomore MMA appearance, Almeida might be finally ready to hang up the idea of competing in BJJ again.
“I never thought that I would retire [from BJJ], but I don’t carry the same motivation, I have fought everybody and do not have nothing left [to prove], all of my focus is on MMA,” he told FanSided’s Amy Kaplan.
“I didn’t compete since 2019, I missed the adrenaline you get with competing, and it did not make sense to wait for BJJ tournaments to return for me to feel that same feeling,” Almeida said. “I wanted something new, to know how it would feel to fight in MMA, a similar type of pressure.”
Almeida’s desire to compete in MMA was fulfilled just under two years to the day of his last BJJ match-up, as he made his massive debut in the heavyweight division at ONE Championship: Revolution, now he’s set to return at ONE: Winter Warriors in December.
“I would have preferred the opportunity to fight sooner [in February] but the extra time to prepare for this fight in September was good, I was able to improve as a fighter, I am still new and young in this game,” Almeida said.
Buchecha will face Kang Ji Won at ONE: Winter Warriors
In light of his decision to focus on MMA, the Brazilian has a tough test on his hands for his next showing at ONE: Winter Warriors where he is welcomed for his second appearance against undefeated South Korean, Kang Ji Won who will prove to be his toughest opponent in MMA so far and Almeida admits he is ready for whatever comes his way.
“I am training my striking, wrestling, also my ground game, I know I have a big challenge in front of me, and cannot make any mistakes,” Almeida said. “I have trained for 15 minutes, so if the fight goes the distance, I am ready for anything.”