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Surging heavyweight star Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida is refusing to get forward of himself regardless of a second straight dominant blended martial arts exhibiting.
Followers and fellow fighters alike are already seeking to match “Buchecha” towards the division’s elite after he took out harmful South Korean “Mighty Warrior” Kang Ji Received at ONE: WINTER WARRIORS final Friday.
Nonetheless, the common-or-garden Brazilian is conserving his ft firmly on the bottom.
“It feels nice as a result of it was an enormous problem, similar to Anderson [“Braddock” Silva] within the first struggle,” he says.
“Each of them have a lot of expertise. For positive now, I really feel like I’m on the fitting path. However I’m nonetheless simply 2-0 in MMA, simply two fights. I’ve had 5 minutes of [Circle] time. That’s not a lot, proper? So I want a variety of expertise. To struggle extra and to be taught the sport.
“I’m not dashing. I’m considering step-by-step, daily. And once I’m within the recreation, benefit from the journey.”
Kang owned an ideal 5-0 slate heading into Friday’s contest, with all 5 wins coming through first-round knockout. That success led ONE Heavyweight World Champion Arjan “Singh” Bhullar to proclaim the South Korean deserved a shot on the belt.
However “Buchecha” utterly neutralized “Mighty Warrior’s” one-punch knockout risk and submitted him within the opening spherical.
Within the course of, the 17-time BJJ World Champion showcased his legendary grappling abilities – but in addition his evolving all-around MMA recreation.
“It was simply excellent. I’m glad I might use my jiu-jitsu, my hanging was actually good, and every little thing labored out very well,” Almeida says.
“The sport plan labored very well. I knew he was a very harmful opponent – 5 fights and 5 knockouts. I knew it wouldn’t be a straightforward problem for me, however that’s what drives me.”
“Buchecha” regarded comfy because the heavyweights initially moved round on the ft after which hit a wonderfully timed double-leg takedown that introduced Kang to the mat.
From there, it was one-way visitors. The American Prime Staff man swarmed the South Korean with punches earlier than taking his again when “Mighty Warrior” tried to work as much as his ft.
Almeida then sealed the cope with a good rear-naked choke, and he was thrilled by the best way he managed to maneuver by the ranges en path to victory.
“As soon as I received within the cage, I feel the punches helped me to progress my jiu-jitsu, to maneuver ahead. I feel it was only a good evening as a result of I didn’t rush something. I didn’t make any errors,” he presents.
“I’m coaching loads. I’m not scared to be on my ft, as a result of I feel, as an MMA fighter, it’s a must to be comfy in each side of the struggle. So I used to be actually comfy on my ft. I believed we’d strike extra, however I noticed the chance to take him down, and I did.
“That’s the magic of this sport. You need to suppose quick and blend every little thing. It’s blended martial arts.”
Following “Buchecha’s” fast win, the following ONE Heavyweight World Title challenger, Anatoly “Sladkiy” Malykhin, known as out the Brazilian icon on social media.
However for his half, Almeida will not be specializing in any specific opponent or seeking to soar the road for a World Title shot.
His prime precedence is continuous to develop his MMA talent set within the gymnasium – and placing that into apply contained in the Circle.
“I don’t wish to suppose an excessive amount of about one title as a result of it retains altering loads. So I simply preserve coaching to maintain evolving, and that’s my purpose now. Stoic mindset – let’s get higher and be prepared for the following one, whoever it’s,” he says.
“I feel [Malykhin] is a large title within the group and among the best on the planet. If I preserve profitable, ultimately, we’re going to struggle. Similar to anybody who retains an excellent profitable streak, we’re going to struggle one another eventually.
“However like I stated, I’m nonetheless studying. I’m nonetheless simply two fights in. I’m in no rush to struggle him – or anybody. Simply little by little, step-by-step, daily.”
For now, “Buchecha” is prepared for a little bit relaxation and rest.
The Brazilian will take a well-earned break in his homeland through the vacation season earlier than he resumes work at ATT in Florida, USA, to organize for a busy schedule.
“Proper now, I’m going to take a trip. Since final December, I didn’t relaxation. I did like 5 camps, one after the opposite, with out resting. Now I’m going to Brazil to see my household as a result of I haven’t seen them shortly,” Almeida provides.
“So I’m going to spend Christmas with them, reset my thoughts, and are available again to coach for extra. In 2022, I hope I can get far more fights than this 12 months.”
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