UFC Fight Night: Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha Preview & Prediction
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Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha: Brazilian jiu-jitsu ace looks to inject new blood into thin heavyweight division
A slow-paced grinder takes on a world-class grappler in this intriguing heavyweight bout as Slovakia’s Martin Buday faces Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida. With the division in need of fresh contenders, this could be a breakout moment for the newcomer.
Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha facts
What time are Martin Buday and Marcus Buchecha expected to walk out?
Where is UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ABC 9
What TV channel is UFC on ABC 9 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+ (undercard) & ABC (main card)
Where can I stream UFC on ABC 9? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder main card
Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight)
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
Asu Almabayev vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder prelims
Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight)
Davey Grant vs Da'Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight)
Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Ibo Aslan vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs Steven Nguyen (Featherweight)
Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)
Martin Buday: Clinch-heavy workhorse looking to spoil the debut
Martin Buday (15-2) has quietly built a solid UFC résumé through control, pressure, and durability. A former Oktagon MMA champion, Buday made his name with a highlight-reel KO on Dana White’s Contender Series before racking up four straight UFC wins – including a slick kimura finish over Josh Parisian. Though he was halted by Shamil Gaziev in a tough outing, he’s since responded with two grinding decision wins over Andrei Arlovski and Satybaldiev. Buday’s style is no secret – push opponents to the fence, smother their output, and cruise to decision wins through control and cage time.
Marcus Buchecha: Grappling phenom with elite finishing instincts
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (5-1) is one of the most decorated Brazilian jiu-jitsu practitioners to ever enter MMA. The 35-year-old has made a successful transition from the mats to the cage, winning four of his first five fights in ONE Championship – all in the first round, including three submissions. His only setback came against the powerhouse Reug Reug, but he bounced back impressively with a first-round rear-naked choke win in his most recent bout. Buchecha doesn’t waste time: his game is simple but deadly – close the distance, get the fight to the mat, and finish.
Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha prediction
Buday brings grit and control, but Buchecha’s explosiveness and athleticism make him the real threat. Buday’s smothering clinch game is unlikely to phase someone with Almeida’s grappling pedigree, and if the Brazilian initiates the takedowns, it’s hard to see Buday surviving long on the mat. The Slovakian doesn’t carry knockout power that could deter a shoot, nor does he offer much scrambling urgency once grounded. Buchecha, meanwhile, is hungry, athletic, and still relatively fresh in his MMA journey – and that combination of urgency and skill could be lethal. Expect him to close the distance early and drag Buday into deep waters on the ground. A first or second-round submission feels the most likely outcome.
Prediction: Marcus Buchecha to win by submission
