Marcus Almeida enters free agency after ONE Championship run
One of the most decorated grapplers in MMA is now a free agent.
Marcus Almeida, who has spent his entire professional MMA career under the ONE Championship banner, will now test the waters of free agency. Sources familiar with the situation confirmed the news with MMA Junkie. MMA Fighting was the first to report.
In each victory, Almeida (5-1) finished his opponents in the opening round; four came by submission, and one by ground and pound TKO. “Buchecha” is a multiple-time ADCC and IBJJF grappling champion, and has proven since his MMA debut in 2021, that his skills translate well in the heavyweight division of MMA competition.
Almeida, 35, was last in action at ONE 169 in November, where he submitted Amir Aliakbari with a rear-naked choke in the opening round. That fight was the last on his contract, and he has opted not to re-sign with the promotion.
Prior to the fight, “Buchecha” told MMA Junkie he was frustrated with inactivity in ONE. After completing his first four MMA fights in 11 months, Almeida hoped he could maintain the same level of activity, but the promotion did not meet his expectations. After submitting Kirill Grishenko at ONE Fight Night 1, Almeida only had two more fights in 26 months.
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