As a record-holding champion with the most absolute black belt world titles in jiu-jitsu history, Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida will continue to focus on his successful grappling career. Buchecha says he isn't thinking about MMA anymore -- for the moment -- and explains why below.

MMA is a dream that I still have, but so far nothing appeals to me. Not a single proposal that I received so far has done it for me. I'm not in a hurry to go to MMA. I'm in a good phase of my jiu-jitsu career, my best time. So I've got no reason to put down the gi.

With his focus entirely on jiu-jitsu, fans can watch the star in action at the upcoming IBJJF World Championship in Long Beach, CA, on May 31 to June 4. Buchecha is the favorite to take another absolute world title, making a possible total of five throughout his career, a feat never managed by another black belt (Roger Gracie has three absolute titles).

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Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida after winning the black belt absolute title at the 2016 IBJJF World Championships. Photo: Patrick Flores / FloGrappling.

"I never thought I'd get this far," Buchecha said. "This year I can win a fifth title in the absolute. I try not to think about it. I don't compete to break records or take someone out. I fight because I want to be a better fighter with every year that passes.

If the title comes, it will be a result of the work that has been done. But I am feeling very motivated. After my surgery in 2015 -- which left me out for a year -- my mind has changed a lot, and I'm even more motivated. Also, I think nowadays I train smarter and take better care of my body. But who knows, maybe one day I'll turn into the Kelly Slater of the mats.

Buchecha is coming off a superfight victory over Rafael Lovato Jr. at the ADCC West Coast Trials in April, and he has a packed schedule planned for the upcoming months. After competing in the IBJJF World Championships, he will head to the IBJJF Heavyweight Grand Prix in August and the ADCC World Championships in September.


Buchecha missed out on the 2015 ADCC in Brazil due to the aforementioned knee surgery but has his sights set on a triumphant return in Finland.

"It's a busy year, and this shows that our work is being well done," he said. "I am motivated and training hard. The ADCC camp will go as it did in 2013, when I was champion. This year, the team is rolling deep to Finland. Our master, Leo Vieira, will fight, and it's great to share the mat with him every day. I learn a lot from him. Also, I'm training a lot of wrestling here in California. I have divided my jiu-jitsu training with the wrestling.

You don't mess with the winning team. I'm not going to rest until September, and God willing I will win the ADCC absolute championship, which is the only title missing in my career.

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