Marcus Almeida
Buchecha
Brazil
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.
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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.
Struggles in UFC debut
Almeida lost to Martin Buday via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Abu Dhabi.
ANALYSIS
Making his UFC debut as a -250 favorite, Almeida looked awful against a lower-level opponent. One of the most talented BJJ specialists in the world, Almeida landed just 1-of-11 takedown attempts. His wrestling looked terrible, and he offered nothing on the feet. Perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise given the fact the Brazilian entered the evening with all of six professional fights under his belt at age 35. That said, surely any heavyweight with any future potential whatsoever should be putting forth a better effort against an opponent like Buday.
Making his UFC debut as a -250 favorite, Almeida looked awful against a lower-level opponent. One of the most talented BJJ specialists in the world, Almeida landed just 1-of-11 takedown attempts. His wrestling looked terrible, and he offered nothing on the feet. Perhaps this shouldn't come as a surprise given the fact the Brazilian entered the evening with all of six professional fights under his belt at age 35. That said, surely any heavyweight with any future potential whatsoever should be putting forth a better effort against an opponent like Buday.
Making UFC debut vs. Buday
Almeida will take on Martin Buday in a heavyweight bout at UFC Abu Dhabi on July 26, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Almeida is set to make his debut with the UFC after spending time with ONE Championship. He went 5-1 in that promotion, and now he'll face a UFC fighter in Buday who is currently 6-1 and coming off two straight wins.
Almeida is set to make his debut with the UFC after spending time with ONE Championship. He went 5-1 in that promotion, and now he'll face a UFC fighter in Buday who is currently 6-1 and coming off two straight wins.