Buchecha Ready For ‘Huge Step Up’ Against Former World Title Challenger Kirill Grishenko
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida is happy to take his MMA career step by step, but his next contest represents a key move toward the heavyweight elite.
On August 26, the 17-time BJJ World Champion will battle former ONE Interim Heavyweight World Title challenger Kirill Grishenko on the main card of ONE on Prime Video 1: Moraes vs. Johnson II live in North American prime time.
A victory would establish the grappling legend as a legitimate World Title threat in mixed martial arts, and he feels ready to make a massive statement at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Almeida said:
“Yeah, it’s a huge step up. But I don’t like to think like that. When I made my debut in ONE, Kirill was doing his debut at the same time, so we had the same amount of time in the house, right?
“He has three fights in ONE. I got three, going for my fourth one. Before that, he didn’t have much experience in MMA, so I think it’s fair.”
Many fans are interested to see how “Buchecha’s” legendary BJJ skills will translate against different types of athletes in the all-around sport.
So far, the Brazilian has defeated a trio of strikers with relative ease, but he’ll face a new type of challenge in this upcoming matchup.
That’s because Grishenko was a standout Greco-Roman wrestler before making his own switch to MMA, meaning Almeida must be prepared with fresh answers on August 26.
He said:
“[Grishenko is] a great fighter with a lot of experience in his wrestling background. So, it’s going to be a really interesting one because it’s going to be the first wrestler that I will fight. If I [want to] get the belt one day, I need to pass all the tests. So he’s going to be a huge one, and I’m excited.”
Buchecha Has Extra Motivation For ONE’s First Prime Video Event
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has raced to the perfect 3-0 start in his MMA career, and he’ll bring a lot of hype into his next clash with Kirill Grishenko.
The stakes will be raised even higher with this showdown happening at ONE Championship’s first Prime Video event, as fans in North America will get to witness the action live in primetime.
“Buchecha” is certainly thrilled about the opportunity to compete – and even more inspired to deliver a memorable performance.
The 32-year-old said:
“One-hundred percent [this is more motivation], especially for me, because I’m just starting in the game. And these guys that have been fighting for such a long time are legends in the sport already. And for me to have the opportunity to fight on the same card along with them, it’s a blessing.”
Above all, “Buchecha” feels like the Prime Video partnership will be a game-changer for the world’s largest martial arts organization, especially with such a stacked lineup at ONE on Prime Video 1.
He’s expecting incredible action throughout the card – which is headlined by a World Title rematch between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson – and even bigger things in the future.
The Brazilian added:
“It’s going to be huge for the U.S. and for the fans here. I think it’s going to be a huge step up for the fighters, the organization, and everything. And of course, we’re coming on U.S. soil with 100 percent strength.”
