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Brazilian jiu-jitsu icon and top ONE Championship heavyweight MMA contender Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida knew that he had to come into his most recent fight well-prepared.
Almeida had spent more than a year on the sidelines following the first defeat of his professional MMA career to Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in 2023. But last weekend at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video, 'Buchecha' was back in action against dangerous Iranian Amir Aliakbari.
The 34-year-old American Top Team / Evolve MMA representative scored a quick first-round submission, announcing his return to the elite in ONE Championship's heavyweight MMA division, and he says it was all due to the hard work hi put into camp.
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Speaking to veteran MMA reporter Nic Atkin of Bangkok Post, 'Buchecha' talked about his training leading up to this fight.
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The Brazilian legend said:
"I think some days, we’re not on our best days, a little bit off. It was my first time fighting in Lumpinee. It was different from all my other fights that I fought in Singapore. I wasn’t familiar with everything, it was a little bit different. This time I knew how everything [worked], how the day would be, so I expected everything. Even in the fight, I was visualizing doing what I did."
ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video took place live from the historic Lumpinee Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand on Saturday, November 9. Fans in the United States and Canada can catch all the action via replay on-demand with an active Amazon Prime Video subscription.
Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida learned lesson from 'Reug Reug' loss: "I can use my jiu-jitsu"
As much as he wants to prove he has improved as a striker, BJJ icon Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida says he never wants to forget his roots ever again, as he did in his loss to Oumar 'Reug Reug' Kane in 2023.
In fact, it's this key learning that helped him to victory against Amir Aliakbari at ONE 169: Malykhin vs. Reug Reug on Prime Video.
He told Bangkok Post:
"I did strike throughout the fight and if I had to, I’ll do it. But if I can use my jiu-jitsu, why not? I mean, it’s even better for me."
Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for all the latest news and updates surrounding Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida's next fight.
