The jiu-jitsu community is anxiously awaiting the mixed martial
arts debut of its most decorated champion ever, Marcus
Almeida, who has won 13 gold medals in the world Brazilian
jiu-jitsu championships. “Buchecha” will face Senegalese giant
Oumar
Kane under the One Championship banner on Feb. 24.
In a live interview with Brazilian outlet “Confraria da
Porrada” on Tuesday, American Top Team coach Conan Silveira
shared some details regarding Almeida’s training camp.
“We are starting with MMA ABCs, teaching him everything separated
in segments, before starting the sparring itself. In one class he
trains muay Thai with Anderson França, in another boxing with
Gabriel Oliveira, wrestling with Steve Mocco and MMA grappling with
Mike Brown,” said Silveira.
Silveira praised Almeida for his humility while learning a new
sport.
“Of course he knows that being a 13 time world jiu-jitsu champion
doesn’t automatically make him an MMA fighter,” Silveira said. “He
is aware that every new technique will be important for him to
create his own MMA style and being able to begin sparring.
Silveira foresees a bright future for the new ATT heavyweight
thanks to the right blend of physical tools and demeanor.
“He arrived here a few months ago but looks like he has been part
of ATT for 20 years — such a nice kid,” Silveira said. “Everybody
likes him. With all his physical potential, work ethic, humility
[and] adding everything ATT can provide him, I imagine a great
future for this kid in MMA.”