Rookie Report Card: Review of the Lone Octagon newcomer UFC Abu Dhabi Post-Mortem

You only get one Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut!

And only one athlete debuted last night on “Fight Island” (Sat., 27 July 2025) in UFC Abu Dhabi in Etihad Arena in the United Arab Emirates, and it was a big one, but it didn’t go so well.

The Rookie of UFC Abu Dhabi lost, and now that the dust is arranged, let’s judge his performance below:

Marcus Buchecha

Marcus BuchechaA 17-way Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion, had a golden chance to shake up the Garbage Heavyweight Division of the UFC and to strengthen itself as an immediate competition, but that all went out when he lost a unanimous decision to no. 13-ranked, Martin BudayIt improved to an impressive 7-1 in the octhoek.

Buday proved that he was the superior hunter on Saturday evening, with an AiriTight Takedown Defense. He filled 10 from Buchecha’s 11 Takedown attempts while he peppered the Brazilian with fresh punctures and straight rights that Buchecha kept on the rear.

Buchecha finally scored his lonely branchedown in the second round, and his elite struggling was visible. He unleashed soil and pound and hunted for submissions, in which he briefly secured Buday’s back with both hooks in it and landed heavy shots. But he could not close the deal, and when Buday reversed the position, it felt like Buchecha’s will were broken.

It is clear that Buchecha work stabbed in its striking boxes, knees and staircases, but let’s really be: his stand-up game is still bland. And let’s be honest, there are many heavyweights at a low level that would coordinate it.

At the age of 35 (young for a heavyweight, sure), Buchecha’s UFC Future looks bleak after this debut, and I don’t see Buchecha have much success in the Achthoek. I will admit that I was optimistic about his debut, but from now on he has been an important disappointment.

He will probably beat heavy weights with low tier Justin Clap or Thomas Petersenbut a not -opened Shit or VEBOR Petrino would probably have his number.

Final grade: D+

(Maybe I am overly hard, let me know in the comments.)

Click for complete UFC Abu Dhabi results, coverage and highlights HERE.