WATCH: Marcus ‘Buchecha’ Almeida shares old video of himself competing as a blue belt

ONE heavyweight MMA marvel and BJJ icon Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida is considered the most accomplished submission grappler of all time. Watching him perform inside the circle, it's easy to see why the 17-time BJJ world champion is seen as such. Once the fight hits the ground, a submission is not just a possibility, it's an eventuality.

It's quite easy to forget that 'Buchehca' was once a beginner or an intermediate-level grappler in the past. In a video posted on Almaida's Instagram, it shows the Brazilian grappling legend competing at the blue belt level in 2008.

Here's the video:

"The good and old Blue Belt days, back in 2008, the Clock Choke looks tight!"

Even at an early stage in his career, you can see shades of greatness that have become synonymous with Almeida today. The Clock Choke that he used to end the bout is something Almeida has used quite a few times at the highest levels of competition. It goes to show that there are no black belt moves in jiu-jitsu, just white belt moves done on a black belt level.

On a side note, this video could open the conversation about having Gi submission grappling matches in ONE Championship. It will surely present new levels of excitement for fans to enjoy.

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'Buchecha' believes open weight matches are the next step in submission grappling in ONE Championship

Speaking of introducing new concepts to the growing ONE submission grappling leg, Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida has quite an intriguing idea. The 17-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion believes an open weight tournament is the next step for ONE submission grappling.

'Buchecha' made the suggestion after the promotion's massive announcement of an open weight Muay Thai tournament. 'Buchecha' told ONE:

"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."

The open weight concept is not new in the world of competitive grappling. Major BJJ tournaments like the IBJJF worlds and ADCC World Championships have an "Absolutes" division where they pit grapplers against each other regardless of weight class. Since the creation of Brazilian jiu-jitsu was based on the idea of a smaller fighter defeating a larger opponent, the open weight concept can determine who has the best grappling technique.

If ONE goes this route, it could help further legitimize their organization as a major league in the world of submission grappling today.