The early prelims of UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, set for July 26, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, include a fascinating heavyweight clash between Slovak bruiser Martin Buday and legendary BJJ icon Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida, who makes his UFC debut after a dominant run in ONE Championship. It’s a clash of styles, steady striking pressure versus elite grappling pedigree, that could set the tone for the night.
Martin Buday
Martin “Badys” Buday (15–2) has quietly built a respectable UFC résumé with a grinding, high-pressure style, often utilizing clinch control, cage wrestling, and conservative but effective boxing. Standing 6’5” and weighing 265 lbs, Buday is one of the division’s bigger bodies and is notoriously difficult to put away.
Buday is not flashy, most of his wins come by decision, but he’s consistent and durable. He holds victories over veterans like Andrei Arlovski, Josh Parisian, and Jake Collier, and he’s on a two-fight winning streak, most recently defeating Uran Satybaldiev by unanimous decision in April.
Buday’s only UFC loss came against Shamil Gaziev, who overwhelmed him with early pressure and power. That bout exposed Buday’s vulnerability to fast, explosive opponents. However, in a more methodical fight, Buday thrives by wearing down opponents and controlling tempo.
Martin Buday – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Uran Satybaldiev – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 65, Apr 5, 2025
2. Win vs. Andrei Arlovski – Decision (Split) – UFC 303, Jun 29, 2024
3. Loss vs. Shamil Gaziev – TKO (Punches) – UFC 296, Dec 16, 2023
4. Win vs. Josh Parisian – Submission (Kimura) – UFC on ESPN 51, Aug 12, 2023
5. Win vs. Jake Collier – Decision (Unanimous) – UFC on ESPN 45, Apr 29, 2023
Buday has solid takedown defense and is competent in scrambles, but this will be his first true test against a world-class submission artist.
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida (5–1), a 13-time IBJJF World Champion and multiple-time ADCC gold medalist, is arguably the greatest heavyweight BJJ competitor of all time. Since transitioning to MMA in 2021, he has adapted remarkably well, finishing 4 of his 5 victories in the first round, all by submission or TKO.
Though he’s new to the UFC, Buchecha dominated in ONE Championship, submitting seasoned opponents like Amir Aliakbari and Kirill Grishenko. His only career setback was a decision loss to Oumar Kane, where he struggled to close the distance against a defensive, athletic striker.
Standing 6’3” and walking around at 245+ lbs, Buchecha is strong, fast, and explosive in grappling exchanges. His striking is still rudimentary, but he uses it just enough to set up takedowns, where his jiu-jitsu takes over instantly.
Marcus Almeida – Last 5 Fights:
1. Win vs. Amir Aliakbari – Submission (RNC) – ONE 169, Nov 9, 2024
2. Loss vs. Oumar Kane – Decision (Unanimous) – ONE FN 13, Aug 5, 2023
3. Win vs. Kirill Grishenko – Submission (Heel Hook) – ONE on Prime Video 1, Aug 27, 2022
4. Win vs. Simon Carson – TKO (Punches) – ONE 158, Jun 3, 2022
5. Win vs. Kang Ji-Won – Submission (RNC) – ONE: Winter Warriors, Dec 3, 2021
This will be Buchecha’s toughest stylistic test to date, especially in the small UFC cage. If he can get Buday to the ground early, it could be a short night.
This is a classic striker vs. grappler matchup. Martin Buday holds the edge in striking with a consistent jab, clinch control, and strong cage awareness. He's durable, experienced in grinding three-round fights, and has shown reliable cardio throughout his UFC run. On the other hand, Marcus "Buchecha" Almeida is a world-class BJJ specialist with elite submission skills and explosive takedowns. His striking is limited and mainly serves to close distance.
The key factor is Buday’s takedown defense. If he can keep the fight standing, he has a clear advantage over Buchecha in striking volume and cardio. However, if Buchecha gets the fight to the ground early, his grappling is likely too much for Buday to handle. This fight will likely be decided in the first round, whether Buchecha can drag it to the mat or Buday can deny him and impose his pace.
Prediction
This fight boils down to Buchecha’s ability to get it to the ground early. Buday is the more experienced, well-rounded MMA fighter and will be confident in a drawn-out, standing battle. But if Buchecha can create any meaningful grappling exchanges in Round 1, even from a scramble or single-leg, Buday could be in immediate danger.
Buchecha has the kind of elite submission threat that can end the fight within seconds once he gets dominant position. Expect him to pressure early, hunt a takedown, and look for the back.
If Buday survives the early storm, he could take over late with volume and top control, but that’s a big “if.”
Prediction:
Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida def. Martin Buday via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) – Round 1
This debut could be the start of a serious heavyweight run for one of the greatest grapplers ever.