UFC on ABC 9: Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha

Martin Buday spoiled Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida’s much-anticipated UFC debut with a gritty unanimous decision win in Abu Dhabi. Right from the opening bell, the decorated BJJ champion tried to drag the contest to the canvas, but Buday refused to be a static target. Each early takedown attempt was met with sharp sprawls and heavy clinch pressure, as the Slovakian mixed low kicks and knees to sap Buchecha’s rhythm and confidence while the fight stayed upright.

The second round showcased the best of Buchecha’s grappling pedigree when he finally secured a takedown and worked his way to Buday’s back. For a moment it looked like the debutant was about to end the fight, but Buday stayed calm, fought the hands, and slowly reversed position against the fence. Though Buchecha’s top control was dominant enough to win him that frame, the energy it cost him would prove critical as the bout wore on.

With everything level going into the third, Martin Buday came out pressing forward and landed a clean left hand that visibly rocked Buchecha. From that moment on, the Brazilian’s takedown attempts lost their sharpness, and Buday’s pressure began to snowball. Even when Buchecha managed to cling to the back late in the round, Buday peeled him off, reversed, and ended the fight on top, hammering short punches as the clock ran down.

All three judges saw the fight 29-28 for Buday, a result that underscored his poise and stamina in the face of world-class grappling danger. Marcus Buchecha left the cage disappointed but showed flashes of the skill that made him one of the most decorated jiu-jitsu practitioners ever, while Buday’s stock rose as a heavyweight who can handle serious adversity and still impose his will when it counts.

After the fight, Buday praised Buchecha’s skill set but credited his own preparation and experience for the win, while Buchecha admitted that fatigue and nerves played a role in his UFC debut. The victory marks Buday’s seventh in the UFC and positions him as an increasingly tough gatekeeper in the heavyweight division, while fans will be eager to see how Buchecha rebounds after tasting defeat for the first time under MMA rules.