Newly crowned UFC Heavyweight Champion Tom Aspinall could soon have a new puzzle to solve in the Octagon.
Aspinall recently reached his dream to secure an undisputed status in the UFC Heavyweight Division. Although he had hoped to do this in the cage, the controversial pension of Jon Jones saw the interim belt of the British elevated.
Aspinall has now gone from the hunter to the hunted and now has his eyes on the harvest of contenders that ensure that his reign is short.
From now on, the leaders in that department are Ciryl Gane, Jilton Almeida and Alexander Volkov. But they can be quickly accompanied by a unique threat.
Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty images
Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida leaves one championship, in the sights of the UFC
MMA Fighting recently reported that decorated grappler Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida has left one championship and is a free agent.
Almeida signed with a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend in 2020 after confirming his inheritance. The 35-year-old, who has a 4th-grade black belt, is a multiple World Jiu-Jitsu and ADCC Submission Fighting Champion.
After the transition to MMA, 'Buchecha' went 5-1 under one banner. His last fight in the Asian organization came last November, when Almeida Amir Aliakbari submitted via the rear naked choke to bounce back from his first and only loss to then recover a heavyweight 'back back'.
According to Damon Martin, 'Buchecha' is firmly on the Radar of the UFC and the heavyweight ranks of the leading promotion of the sport could soon enter.
Marcus “Buchecha” is officially a free agent after earlier participation in one championship
From what I hear, the UFC has a serious interest in signing it.
Buchecha is one of the most decorated grapplers in history and he has a 5-1 record in MMA with finishes in all victories
– Damon Martin (@damonmartin) July 4, 2025
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Fans respond to the reported interest of UFC for signing 'Buchecha'
News about the accession of Almeida into a free agency and potential UFC signature quickly spreads across the MMA community.
The possible arrival of a new type of threat to Aspinall took off excited reactions from many, who encouraged the UFC to act on his reported interest in the BJJ legend.
“Please give me buchecha at the UFC. I need it as if I need oxygen. The UFC HW division needs it somehow even more.”
“Buchecha would be a great addition to the UFC. He is by far the best heavyweight grappler in MMA (perhaps ever).”
“Best signature they can do alongside (Vadim) Nemkov.”
“UFC needs a lot.”
“Take my money.”
“UFC is better to lock it up quickly!”
Buchecha would be a great addition to the UFC. He is by far the best heavyweight Grappler in MMA (perhaps ever).
A big seesaw is striking, but it needs it much less than most. I think I would give him the loser of the Lewis/Teixeira fight first. https://t.co/pfkkb9sg9U
– Sammy James🔺 (@Hebhammer94) July 5, 2025
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But not everyone was so enthusiastic.
“UFC wants to sign a Rugh back victim, but will not sign (Muhammad) Mokaev? Yes, is completely logical.”
“Bad idea.”
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