UFC heavyweight contender Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has entered the scene, setting up an intriguing time in the division. Jon Jones’ official retirement from MMA has left Tom Aspinall as the new undisputed champion, but questions remain about his next title defense.
Almeida, a 17-time BJJ world champion and grappling star, is joining the UFC with a strong record of 5-1. He will make his promotional debut on July 26 against Martin Buday at UFC Abu Dhabi. Almeida’s unique skillset as “the best heavyweight grappler in MMA” has garnered attention from fans and pundits alike.
The upcoming event features a stacked lineup, including a main event match between Robert Whittaker and Reinier de Ridder, a co-headliner pitting Movsar Evloev against Aaron Pico, and Petr Yan’s return against Marcus McGhee. The card also includes Bryce Mitchell’s bantamweight debut against Said Nurmagomedov and Shara Magomedov’s return against Marc-André Barriault.
As the heavyweight division continues to evolve, Almeida’s presence is sure to be closely watched. Will he make an immediate impact in his UFC debut, or will he face challenges from established fighters? The wait for UFC Abu Dhabi is almost over, and fans are eager to see how this talented new contender fares.
Source: https://bloodyelbow.com/2025/07/07/ufc-signs-one-championship-star-who-fans-are-calling-mmas-best-heavyweight-grappler