Marcus Buchecha | Photo via ONE Championship
Marcus Buchecha finally re-enters the ONE Championship ring on Friday to face Amir Aliakbari in Bangkok in what could be his last walk to the ring in Asia
Speaking with MMA Fighting ahead of ONE 169, the jiu-jitsu legend said the winner of his clash with Aliakbari could determine whoâs next in line for the heavyweight beltâon the line later that night between Anatoly Malykhin and âReug Reugâ Oumar Kane. However, as it is the final bout of Buchechaâs contract with the organization, he might not stick around to find out.
âThis fight will give me leverage,â Buchecha said, âSo Iâll focus 100 percent on this fight and then discuss better terms. This is the goal.â
Buchecha publicly complained about a lack of fights in early September, saying âIâve been out waiting for a fight for almost one year.â The Brazilian heavyweight has been inactive since August of 2023, when he suffered his first loss in the sport against âReug Reug.â ONE booked him versus Aliakbari shortly after his post.
Asked if his long layoff will be taken into consideration when he has to decide whether or not re-sign with ONE, Buchecha said âyou canât cry over spilled milk,â noting he is fully focused on the task ahead of him.
âI hope to talk to you again on Saturday and definitely talk about the future, but my goal right now is Friday,â Buchecha said. âIt obviously wasnât my decision [to stay out for over a year] but I was in the gym, training and evolving in every aspect as an athlete on the feet, in wrestling, in jiu-jitsu. I feel a much better fighter now than I was last time I entered the ring.
âThe actual fight [with Kane] was a great experience. I wonât be a hypocrite and say it was the result I wanted, of course not, but it turned out to be great experience. After that fight, plus the 15 months [of training], it added a lot to my career as a MMA athlete. I learned a lot about a Buchecha I didnât know. It was good to learn to control my emotions in bad and good situations.â
For now, all Buchecha wants is to stop Aliakbariâs four-fight winning streak and enter free agency on a high note.
âHe has a good background in Greco-Roman wrestling and heâs one of the two heavyweights I havenât fought yet, him and Anatoly,â Buchecha said. âI think itâs going to be a very interesting fight to watch, a clash of grapplers.
âHe has heavy hands, but his background is in wrestling. If the fight goes to the ground, Iâm ready. If it stays on the feet, Iâm ready. I donât care what he wants to do, Iâm focused on my goal and my plan.â
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