Professor Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida

Full Name: Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida

Main Achievements:

1st Place ADCC World Championship (2013 / 2017)

1st Place IBJJF World Championship (2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2016 / 2017 / 2018 / 2019)

1st Place IBJJF World Championship No-Gi (2010 / 2011)

1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2012)

1st Place IBJJF Pro League Grand Prix (2016)

1st Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2012 / 2013 / 2014 / 2015)

2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2019)

3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2011)

3rd Place ADCC World Championship (2017)

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Élcio Figueiredo > Rodrigo Cavaca > Marcus Almeida

Favourite Position/Technique: Double Leg, Toe Hold, Choke from the back.

Weight Division: Pesadíssimo (over 100,50 kg / 222.0 lbs)

Nickname: “Buchecha”, or rather “Bochecha”, means cheek/big/chubby cheeks. Marcus’ instructor, Rodrigo Cavaca, nicknamed him Buchecha because when he first started training he was a bit overweight and his cheeks were prominent.

Team/Association: Checkmat BJJ

Born on January 8, 1990, in the beautiful town of Sao Vicente near Santos, in the state of Sao Paulo, Marcus Vinícius Oliveira de Almeida, also known as Buchecha is a Brazilian mixed martial artist and 1st-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. A towering figure standing at an impressive 192cm / 6'3" tall.

In his younger years, Marcus initially had a different path in mind, his journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) took an unexpected turn. At first, he was captivated by the allure of football, dreaming of a future as a professional player.  But he humbly admits that his skills did not quite match his aspirations. Despite his sincere efforts, football did not lead him to the desired success. Disheartened by this setback, he sought solace and found a new passion in the invigorating sport of surfing, immersing himself in its thrilling embrace.

However, fate had something extraordinary in store for Marcus when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gracefully entered his life during his mid-teens. At the age of 14, Marcus Almeida's life took a pivotal turn when he discovered the world of BJJ. This newfound interest sprouted from his sister's initiation into BJJ training. Marcus's father, Cleiton Almeida, a loving and protective parent, accompanied his daughter to her BJJ classes, witnessing her training sessions firsthand. Impressed by the transformative power of BJJ, Cleiton Almeida embarked on his own journey, enrolling himself in BJJ classes alongside his daughter. 

Recognizing the immense potential of BJJ for his children, Marcus, Cleiton also made the decision to enrol Marcus in BJJ classes as well, marking the beginning of a life-changing chapter.

Embracing BJJ with open arms, Marcus Almeida found his true calling at a remarkably young age. With unwavering dedication, he devoted countless hours to mastering the art, often immersing himself in training sessions after school.

Under the watchful eye of his esteemed instructor, BJJ World Champion Rodrigo Cavaca, and blessed with natural physical abilities, Buchecha swiftly transformed into one of the most formidable athletes in the lower belt divisions.

His remarkable victories in prestigious tournaments such as the "Brasileiro," Pan American, Sao Paulo Cup, Scandinavian Open, and the illustrious "Mundial" solidified his reputation. It was during his triumphant moment at the World Championship in 2010 that Marcus, standing on the podium, was honoured with his well-deserved black belt. Around the same time, his father was also bestowed with his own black belt in BJJ. In 2010, 

Marcus made a significant move to the United States alongside his master and teammate Thiago "Baiano" Aragao, where he showcased his undeniable talent and claimed victory at the World Nogi Tournament, sealing his dominance alongside his "Avengers" teammate, Roberto "Cyborg" Abreu. Following a brief return to his hometown of Santos in 2011 to train with Cavaca, Buchecha made his way back to the United States, where he wholeheartedly immersed himself in coaching and relentless competition.

From that point forward, Buchecha's journey as a black belt competitor skyrocketed to unparalleled heights. In 2012, upon his return to the United States, he ascended to new realms of achievement, conquering both his weight category and the absolute division at the esteemed Pan American Championships and the revered World Jiu-Jitsu Championships, both hosted by the IBJJF. Notably, he engaged in a legendary battle against the renowned Roger Gracie at the Metamoris Pro Invitational, where he displayed an exquisite showcase of jiu-jitsu, securing a remarkable tie under submission-only rules against the ten-time world champion.