The combat sports world is buzzing with anticipation as Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has officially entered free agency, opening the door for what could be a blockbuster signing with the UFC. After his contract with ONE Championship expired in July, the decorated grappler is now free to explore new opportunities across multiple combat disciplines.
During a recent appearance on the Connect Cast podcast, Buchecha confirmed his current status in the sport.
“I’m not in a fight. My contract ends in July. From July I’m officially a free agent. So I’m free to fight MMA with other organizations, fight Nogi, fight Kimono. So I can do whatever I want,”
he revealed.
The 35-year-old heavyweight brings an impressive 5-1 professional MMA record to the negotiating table, with all five victories coming by way of first-round finishes. His dominance has been absolute—four submissions and one ground-and-pound TKO demonstrate how his world-class grappling skills have seamlessly translated to mixed martial arts competition.
Buchecha‘s transition from jiu-jitsu to MMA wasn’t driven by financial considerations, as he made clear during his podcast appearance.
“Man, I’m not doing this for money. For money, as you said, I could be in the jiu-jitsu,”
he explained. Instead, the motivation came from seeking fresh challenges after a decade of unprecedented success on the mats.
“I stayed there for 10 years practically at the top, dominating the category these 10 years.”
When discussing potential opportunities in the UFC’s heavyweight division, Buchecha expressed genuine confidence in his ability to compete at the sport’s highest level.
“I look at the weight class, it’s a fight that I have the will to get there. I have the will to improve. I look there and say, I can get there. I see myself fighting with the guys,”
he stated when asked about the UFC heavyweight landscape.
The timing of Buchecha‘s free agency couldn’t be more strategic. His most recent performance at ONE 169 in November showcased exactly why he’s garnering attention from major promotions. He submitted Amir Aliakbari with a rear-naked choke in the opening round, capping off what would be his final contracted appearance with ONE Championship.
However, his departure from ONE wasn’t without controversy. Buchecha had grown increasingly frustrated with extended periods of inactivity under his previous contract. After completing his first four MMA contests in just 11 months, he hoped to maintain that momentum. Instead, following his submission victory over Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 1, he was only booked for two additional contests across 26 months.
This pattern of limited activity has become a point of criticism for ONE Championship, with other high-profile athletes like Diego Pato and Augusto Mendes voicing similar concerns about the promotion’s booking practices.
Now looking ahead to his summer return, Buchecha outlined his timeline for competition.
“I’m training and I hope to fight soon. Soon I’ll say this year. In the summer, which is July, August. This would be my goal. To be able to fight July, August, to fight MMA.”
The Brazilian remains realistic about his development while maintaining supreme confidence in his ceiling.
“I think there’s a lot to improve, of course, but I’m sure I’ll see myself at the top,”
he said, acknowledging both his current limitations and future potential.
Recent appearances on popular MMA podcasts have only heightened speculation about his next move. On the JAXXON Podcast, Buchecha demonstrated his deep understanding of the sport by analyzing the UFC’s current grappling landscape, praising athletes like Charles Oliveira, Gilbert Burns, and heavyweight Jailton Almeida for their exceptional jiu-jitsu skills.
Industry sources suggest that UFC officials have shown serious interest in acquiring Buchecha‘s services, which would make perfect sense given his combination of name recognition, finishing ability, and the promotional value that comes with signing one of grappling’s most accomplished champions.
For the UFC, adding Buchecha would bring immediate credibility to their heavyweight division while potentially creating compelling matchups against the division’s elite. His proven ability to finish opponents quickly, combined with his massive following in the grappling community, makes him an attractive asset for any major promotion.
