Marcus Almeida

Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida, 30, of São Paulo, Brazil has joined the EVOLVE Fight Team, the most decorated professional fight team in Asia. This was announced by EVOLVE Mixed Martial Arts on July 31, 2020.

Almeida is a 13-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion. As a new EVOLVE Fight Team member, the Brazilian fighter is expected to make his professional mixed martial arts debut in ONE Championship and compete in the heavyweight division.

Currently reigning as the ONE Heavyweight World Champion is Brandon “The Truth” Vera, 42, of the Philippines. He has been holding the title since December 11, 2015.

ONE Championship has yet to confirm the details of Vera’s next challenger. The promotion has yet to official announce if Almeida is joining its roster as an MMA fighter in the heavyweight division.

“I’m thrilled to join the EVOLVE Fight Team, Asia’s greatest world championship team,” Almeida stated. “After my long-awaited trip to teach a seminar at EVOLVE MMA in June 2019, it confirmed my desire to be part of the organization because of the warm culture and good people. I also plan to share my BJJ knowledge with all students and athletes at EVOLVE MMA during my visits.”

Almeida was born in Santos, São Paulo on January 8, 1990. He is a BJJ black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca, who gave the fight name “Buchecha.”

The São Paulo native started his BJJ journey training under two-time BJJ world champion and EVOLVE MMA instructor Teco Shinzato. EVOLVE MMA vice president Wesley de Souza said, “We are committed to playing an integral role in helping kickstart and develop Buchecha’s Mixed Martial Arts career.”

“We are confident in Buchecha’s ability to excel in the sport under the tutelage of EVOLVE’s team of world champion instructors,” de Souza continued. “He is a great addition to the EVOLVE family, and we are excited to have him join us.”

EVOLVE MMA has the largest class schedules in Asia, containing over 800 classes a week. It has a comprehensive selection of martial arts classes, ranging from Muay Thai, BJJ, MMA boxing, kickboxing and wrestling, among others.

The mission of EVOLVE MMA is to unleash greatness in everyone through authentic martial arts under world champions. The academy believes that martial arts is about the journey of continuous self-improvement of the mind, body, and soul and one of the greatest platforms to unleash human potential.