Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida is keen to add another World Title to his laundry list of accolades, and he’s got the ONE Heavyweight World Title in mind. The 17-time Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion is currently riding a perfect 4-0 slate in ONE’s mixed martial arts ranks and is eagerly awaiting his next opportunity to step inside the Circle.

After stringing together four first-round wins since debuting in the all-encompassing sport in 2021, the Sao Paolo native feels he could be on the verge of achieving what all MMA practitioners dream of – capturing a World Title.

Marcus Almeida is finally ready for a shot at the ONE Heavyweight gold

Almeida shared, “All my focus is on MMA, and 2023 will be no different. I’m improving every day, and I want to get more victories. My ultimate goal is to become ONE Heavyweight World Champion, so I’m working really hard on that. I hope to achieve this goal in 2023”.

“If I manage to maintain this good form and conquer some more good victories, then I think I will be worthy of challenging for the title.” 

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The Brazilian star initially refused to be included in any title talks, claiming he was focused on building experience is his new discipline. But now, after succeeding in four tough missions – against Anderson “Braddock” Silva, “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Won, Simon Carson, and Kirill Grishenko – he is more open to the idea.

Marcus Almeida had a preferred date for his return to the circle

While “Buchecha” doesn’t have any particular opponent in mind, he does have a date that he’d like to return to action – May 5, the day that ONE makes its on-ground debut in North America with ONE Fight Night 10: Johnson vs. Moraes III on Prime Video.

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The ONE heavyweight athlete said: “In May, it will be ONE’s first event in the United States, where I’ve lived for 12 years. I became an American [citizen], so it would be very special to fight on this card”.

“I know that there are a lot of people who will fight on this card, and nothing has been talked about yet, but it would be really special.”