Marcus Almeida
Buchecha
Brazil
Still searching for first UFC win
Almeida lost to Ryan Spann via KO (punch) at 2:10 of Round 2 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
We're now three fights into Almeida's UFC run, and the results are concerning, to say the least. The 36-year-old is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of BJJ, but his transition to MMA has been a struggle. As good as Almeida is on the mat, he's displayed no ability to consistently get his opposition to the ground. He seems to be rushing in the rare instances in which he's in an advantageous position, and his striking is nowhere to be found. Guys with Almeida's pedigree typically get a longer leash, but he's now winless (0-2-1) since arriving on the scene.
We're now three fights into Almeida's UFC run, and the results are concerning, to say the least. The 36-year-old is one of the most decorated athletes in the history of BJJ, but his transition to MMA has been a struggle. As good as Almeida is on the mat, he's displayed no ability to consistently get his opposition to the ground. He seems to be rushing in the rare instances in which he's in an advantageous position, and his striking is nowhere to be found. Guys with Almeida's pedigree typically get a longer leash, but he's now winless (0-2-1) since arriving on the scene.
Fight Log
Loading Fight Log...
More Fantasy News
Will fight Spann
Almeida will fight fellow heavyweight Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 116 on April 25, according to Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Prior to April 3, Almeida's opponent for UFC Vegas 116 was Max Gimenis, who broke his foot before the Apex event. In his place is Spann, who needed a new opponent after his UFC Vegas 113 fight scheduled with Rizvan Kuniev suffered cancellation.
Prior to April 3, Almeida's opponent for UFC Vegas 116 was Max Gimenis, who broke his foot before the Apex event. In his place is Spann, who needed a new opponent after his UFC Vegas 113 fight scheduled with Rizvan Kuniev suffered cancellation.
Opponent breaks foot
Almeida's opponent for UFC Vegas 116, Max Gimenis, broke his foot and has been forced to back out of the fight, per Nolan King of USA Today.
ANALYSIS
Almeida initially stepped in on short notice for Allen Frye, who as Gimenis' original opponent. Now, this bout is completely shuffled. If the UFC can get someone to step in on short notice to face Almeida, it'll be two completely different fighters than win the fight was first announced.
Almeida initially stepped in on short notice for Allen Frye, who as Gimenis' original opponent. Now, this bout is completely shuffled. If the UFC can get someone to step in on short notice to face Almeida, it'll be two completely different fighters than win the fight was first announced.
Steps in on short notice
Buchecha will take on Max Gimenis in a heavyweight bout at UFC Vegas 116 on April 25, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Buchecha has yet to win a bout in the UFC. He drew with Kennedy Nzechukwu in a fight back in December of 2025, and prior to that he fell at the hands of Martin Buday. Now, he'll step in on short notice for Allen Fyre, who's pulled out for undisclosed reasons, as he continues to seek his first victory in the promotion.
Buchecha has yet to win a bout in the UFC. He drew with Kennedy Nzechukwu in a fight back in December of 2025, and prior to that he fell at the hands of Martin Buday. Now, he'll step in on short notice for Allen Fyre, who's pulled out for undisclosed reasons, as he continues to seek his first victory in the promotion.
Struggles again in draw
Almeida and Kennedy Nzechukwu fought to a draw (28-28, 28-28, 28-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's an ugly result for Almeida in what was a pick 'em fight. He would have dropped another unanimous decision to begin his UFC run had Nzechukwu not been docked a point for an illegal eye poke in Round 2. One of the most decorated athletes in the history of BJJ, Almeida is a well below-average striker for this level, and his cardio is awful. He had Nzechukwu in full mount at the end of the second frame and almost certainly would have earned the stoppage had he just kept firing off elbows. Instead, the latter survived, won Round 3 (in addition to Round 1) and the fight was deemed a draw. Between his age (36 in early-January) and lack of professional MMA experience (eight fights), the odds are against Almeida ever finding his way in the UFC.
It's an ugly result for Almeida in what was a pick 'em fight. He would have dropped another unanimous decision to begin his UFC run had Nzechukwu not been docked a point for an illegal eye poke in Round 2. One of the most decorated athletes in the history of BJJ, Almeida is a well below-average striker for this level, and his cardio is awful. He had Nzechukwu in full mount at the end of the second frame and almost certainly would have earned the stoppage had he just kept firing off elbows. Instead, the latter survived, won Round 3 (in addition to Round 1) and the fight was deemed a draw. Between his age (36 in early-January) and lack of professional MMA experience (eight fights), the odds are against Almeida ever finding his way in the UFC.
Nzechukwu next
Almeida is scheduled to compete against Kennedy Nzechukwu in a heavyweight fight at UFC Vegas 112 on Dec. 13, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Almeida has a second chance to fight in the UFC. He takes on Nzechukwu, coming off a sub-minute submission loss to Valter Walker but fighting with a 2-1 record in the promotion.
Almeida has a second chance to fight in the UFC. He takes on Nzechukwu, coming off a sub-minute submission loss to Valter Walker but fighting with a 2-1 record in the promotion.