Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has dished out four epic performances inside the Circle thus far, and the multiple-time BJJ World Champion is looking to add to his perfect MMA resume this year. Almeida, who spots a 4-0 slate in the all-encompassing sport, has been touted as a future ONE Heavyweight World Title challenger by a large fraction of the martial arts community. 

The 32-year-old wants to take one step at a time before he competes for the heavyweight gold on offer, though. However, if the organization offers him a submission grappling battle instead, Almeida admits he would take it with open arms.

Buchecha feels inspired to grapple by the superb grapplers in ONE Championship

The likes of Mikey “Darth Rigatoni” Musumeci, Kade Ruotolo, Tye Ruotolo, and Danielle Kelly have impressed the Brazilian athlete. At the same time, it has sparked a fire within the heart of the BJJ icon. Speaking to ONE Championship recently, “Buchecha” said, “Every [submission grappling] fight I watch makes me more excited to one day fight in ONE’s submission grappling division.”

Almeida hasn’t competed in submission grappling since 2019. But given his history and past credentials in the art, it’s evident that he could dominate any wizards on the canvas with ease.

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But competing in the submission grappling roster isn’t something that could switch his heart in an instant.

An Openweight Submission Grappling Grand Prix could have Buchecha transitioning

Instead, with the news surrounding ONE’s one-million-dollar Openweight Muay Thai World Grand Prix, Almeida hopes for the same in submission grappling in the future – which could inevitably see him switch the 4oz MMA gloves for a rashguard.

He said, “An openweight of submission grappling is something that makes a lot of sense. I’m a guy who’s always been into fighting at weight and openweight, and I’ve always liked the openweight concept, with the chance for champions from other divisions to face each other. The absolute champion is the best of the year.”

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“Buchecha” is no stranger to the openweight category. As a matter of fact, the heavyweight star has raked up eight BJJ World Titles within the uncapped weight class. For now, though, fans will have to wait and see whether his dream turns into reality. But they can expect him to resume his charge in the ONE heavyweight division this year.