By Kevin
Certain moments in life remind us there is still magic left in our often predictable world. Rarely, we get to witness greatness in real time.
In 2017, Roger Gracie faced Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida in Rio de Janeiro to determine who was the greatest grappler of the 21st century. The result didn’t just shake the jiu-jitsu community—it became one of those moments athletes dream of, the kind that lives on forever.
A Decade of Dominance vs. A Decade of Supremacy
In the last few years, professional jiu-jitsu has exploded. High-production events are streamed weekly, creating stars like Gordon Ryan, Craig Jones, and Mica Galvao. But a decade ago, true icons were scarce.
From 2004 to 2010, one man ruled the mats—Roger Gracie. He won the IBJJF Super Heavyweight World Championship every year in that span (double gold in 2007, 2009, and 2010), ADCC double gold in 2005 by submitting every opponent—a feat never before accomplished—and amassed 14 Mundials gold medals.
After 2010, Roger shifted to MMA, leaving the stage for a new era. That era belonged to Buchecha. From 2012 to 2019, he claimed double gold at the IBJJF Worlds almost every year, ADCC +99kg gold in 2013 and 2017, and was considered unbeatable in the gi.
The two first met in 2012 at Metamoris, but the match ended in a draw. Roger, still recovering from a staph infection, was far from his prime, and the question of who was truly the greatest remained unanswered.
The Return
Five years later, Buchecha continued to dominate while Roger’s name faded from regular competition talk. His MMA career was respectable, but never matched his BJJ legacy. Many assumed his competitive peak was over.
Then, in 2017, at the request of his cousin and longtime coach Renzo Gracie, Roger returned for one more match—this time at the Gracie Pro event in Rio’s Olympic Hall. The rematch with Buchecha would be a 15-minute gi match.
Most believed Buchecha’s relentless style and recent dominance would overwhelm the older, less active Roger. But those who knew Roger understood—legends are legends for a reason.
Clash of Styles
On fight night, the contrast was striking. Buchecha bounced and paced like a coiled spring, while Roger stood calm and upright, exuding quiet confidence.
From the opening grips, Roger’s long frame and strategic posture created barriers Buchecha struggled to breach. Eventually, the younger champion shot deep on a takedown, and for a moment, the crowd sensed the beginning of the end.
But Roger defended with precision, dragging the exchange to the edge of the mat until Buchecha collapsed, bewildered. The atmosphere shifted—everyone, including Buchecha, realized they were on the mat with a different kind of competitor.
The Finish
Roger pulled guard, swept cleanly, and took Buchecha’s back with the same inevitability that defined his prime. Moments later, the cross-collar choke was in, and the tap was undeniable.
The crowd erupted. Family hoisted Roger onto their shoulders. But this was about more than the Gracie name—it was about the living proof that greatness can transcend time.
Roger didn’t just win a match; he cemented his place in history. That afternoon in July became part of the sport’s mythology—a reminder that the amazing is still possible, that even gods are made of flesh and bone.
The art will keep evolving, and new champions will rise. But anyone chasing the title of GOAT in jiu-jitsu will forever have to measure themselves against Roger Gracie on that day.
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