Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida: The Most Decorated BJJ Champion

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida has a case as the most decorated competitor in BJJ history. He won IBJJF gold 13 times in the adult black belt division, then walked away from the sport's biggest podiums to start a whole new career in MMA.

Who Is Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida?

Almeida was born on January 8, 1990, in Santos, Sao Paulo, Brazil, and holds the full name Marcus Vinicius Oliveira de Almeida. He earned his black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca, who gave him the nickname "Buchecha," meaning cheek in Portuguese, a nod to his round face as a kid (Wikipedia).

He competes under the Checkmat banner, one of the most recognized team names in competitive jiu-jitsu.

How He Started

Almeida moved through the ranks quickly, and by the time he hit black belt, he was already a serious threat in the heavyweight and absolute divisions. His size, athleticism, and relentless pace made him difficult to deal with from his earliest years in the black belt division.

Competitive Record and Notable Wins

Almeida's IBJJF resume is the headline. He won 13 World Championship titles across the +100kg and absolute divisions, including gold in 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, and 2019, plus a run of six open-weight absolute titles along the way (Wikipedia). He also picked up World No-Gi Championship gold in 2010 and 2011.

On the ADCC stage, he won gold in both the +99kg and absolute divisions in 2013 in Beijing, then added another +99kg gold in 2017 in Espoo, along with bronze in that year's absolute bracket. He returned in 2019 and took silver in the absolute division in Anaheim.

Fighting Style and Signature Techniques

Almeida built his reputation on relentless pressure. He used his size to smother opponents from top position, worked constant guard passes, and rarely let up on pace even in long matches. That same pressure-heavy, high-output style carried over when he transitioned to mixed martial arts.

Legacy and Current Status

Almeida shifted his focus to MMA starting in 2020, training at American Kickboxing Academy and later American Top Team. He built a professional MMA record before signing with the UFC in July 2025 after a run in ONE Championship, entering with a record of 5 wins, 3 losses, and 1 draw (Wikipedia). His move from grappling dominance to a UFC roster spot has made him one of the more closely watched crossover stories in combat sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many IBJJF World titles does Buchecha have? Thirteen adult black belt titles, including six open-weight absolute golds.

How many ADCC titles has Buchecha won? Two golds, in 2013 and 2017, along with a silver in 2019 and a bronze in 2017's absolute bracket.

What team does Buchecha represent? Checkmat, one of the most well-known competitive BJJ teams.

Is Buchecha still competing in BJJ? No, he shifted to professional MMA in 2020 and signed with the UFC in July 2025.

Who gave Buchecha his nickname? His black belt instructor, Rodrigo Cavaca, who named him "Buchecha" for his round cheeks.

The Bottom Line

Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida's 13 IBJJF World titles put him near the top of any all-time list. His move into MMA and eventual UFC contract show a competitor still chasing new challenges well past the point most fighters would call it a career.