A complete, pressure-first folding pass system that kills modern guards.
The Bottom Line
You learn a precise smash-pass blueprint with timing, step size, and grip choices for spider, lasso, and lapel guards. Buchecha shows when to switch to knee cut, long step, or stacks. You will not get no-gi specifics; this shines for gi passers.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Gi passers who love pressure
Skip if: You train only no-gi
Tech focus: Folding Pass, Knee Cut, Long Step, Double Under, Stack Pass, Toreando, Worm Guard Pass
Biggest takeaway: Short steps, heavy hips win.
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What You'll Learn
Buchecha is the modern king of pressure passing. This set shows his signature folding pass and how he chains it with knee cuts, long steps, and stack variations.
If you want a no-nonsense top game that crushes tricky lapel and spider guards, this is his most complete passing package.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Folding Pass
- Knee Cut
- Long Step
- Spider Guard Pass
- Lasso Pass
- Worm Guard Pass
- Toreando
- Double Under
- Stack Pass
- Back Takes
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: All Levels
- Format: Gi
- Runtime: 3 hours and 7 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Buy it now. I finally stopped stalling in lasso by timing hips-first entries instead of chasing sleeves.
Why Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida?
Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida is a Checkmat black belt under Rodrigo Cavaca and a multiple-time absolute world champion. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest gi competitors. His passing blends athletic movement with heavy pressure. Favorite attacks include the double leg, toe hold, and armbar. He has ADCC titles and a reputation for high fight IQ and resilience.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Folding pass DVD felt like answers to most guards and reactions.
- Folding pass chains well with knee slice and long step for momentum passing.
- Side smash works great in the gi; sleeve and pants grips add control.
- Short choppy steps and knee-elbow connection fixed my control issues.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some BJJ Fanatics releases have angles that miss key grips.
- In no-gi the smash is less sticky and opponents can slip out.
- Beginners often overcommit the smash and lose base or balance.
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Smart Alternatives
- Battle Tested Pressure Passing by Bernardo Faria – Similar smash-first philosophy with crystal-clear fundamentals. (Price: $79.00)
- The Guard Passing Anthology: Half Guard by Lachlan Giles – Concept-led solutions to stubborn knee-shield and butterfly-half. (Price: $79.00)
- Understanding The Distance On Top by Gui Mendes – Elite passing concepts to connect and sequence top pressure. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Buchecha Folding Pass on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.
