'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJRgABAQAAAQABAAD/2wCEAAMDAwMDAwQEBAQFBQUFBQcHBgYHBwsICQgJCAsRCwwLCwwLEQ8SDw4PEg8bFRMTFRsfGhkaHyYiIiYwLTA+PlQBAwMDAwMDBAQEBAUFBQUFBwcGBgcHCwgJCAkICxELDAsLDAsRDxIPDg8SDxsVExMVGx8aGRofJiIiJjAtMD4+VP/AABEIAAYACgMBIgACEQEDEQH/xABgAAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAABxAAAgAGAQUAAAAAAAAAAAAAAQIAAwQFBhEiFBUhIzEBAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUGEQEAAgMBAQAAAAAAAAAAAAABAhEAAwUxI//aAAwDAQACEQMRAD8AjmN4dbqG22C+ChpEmdsZqYLt9sjb9gmAjXAxQDkuISuE3G5Dunh26ejOyPp2ZEIQR0/ka5R9bF9yj5ZHcbSYIJRVZ//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
ONE Championship Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong recently disclosed that Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend 'Buchecha' Marcus Almeida is targeting to become a mixed martial arts champion and it could come in 2023.
Speaking in an Instagram video posted by MMA Hoje, Sityodtong shared that ‘Buchecha’ had told him that he was going for the world heavyweight title this year, with his Brazilian countrymen possibly bearing witness to it through a recent multi-year broadcast deal that ONE signed with Globo’s Combate.
The agreement with Combate, Globo’s leading provider of premium combat sports content and pay-per-views in Brazil, begins this month and will see 12 ONE events broadcast in primetime across the country annually.
Trending
Sityodtong said:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
“This year ‘Buchecha’ told me that he wants to go for the world heavyweight title, I think it is very possible. And I’m super excited for the Globo’s Combate deal.”
Check out the video post below:
‘Buchecha’ has been on a roll since making his MMA debut in ONE Championship in September 2021. He has been undefeated in four fights in the promotion to date, which all came by way of finishes in the opening round.
The most recent impressive victory for the Brazilian came against Belarusian Kirill Grishenko at ONE on Prime Video 1 in August last year, where he won by submission via heel hook.
In the heavyweight division, ‘Buchecha’ is up against an array of fighters, including reigning world champion Arjan Bhullar and interim titleholder Anatoly Malykhin, who are set to fight in a unification bout on March 24 at ONE Fight NIght 8.
“I'll get this chance to fight for the belt soon” – 'Buchecha' feels like he is surging toward a ONE world title shot
Marcus Almeida has taken the ONE Championship heavyweight division by storm since making his debut in 2021 and believes it is only a matter of time before he will get to fight for the world title.
The 17-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion has been unblemished in four fights so far in the promotion, winning all of them by stoppage in the first round.
He said he has no plans of slowing down and has his eyes set on the world championship belt.
The BJJ legend told ONE Championship in an interview:
“I'm sure I'm getting closer to my goal, which is to fight for the title and win the belt. I have four fights and four wins.”
He added:
“Among the heavyweights, I'm the guy who's been fighting the most, so I'm on the right track. I'm sure I'll get this chance to fight for the belt soon.”
With a world title shot within his reach, the noted submission grappler will be an interested spectator when reigning ONE heavyweight world champion Arjan Bhullar and interim champion Anatoly Malykhin battle in a unification bout in March.
