Hold tighter and finish cleaner from side control.
The Bottom Line
You learn drills that actually keep people pinned before you hunt armbars and kimuras. The set shows how to transition to mount without giving space back. Nogi chokes and grips are lighter than gi options.
⚡️ Quick facts
Best for: Passers who struggle finishing
Skip if: You want nogi-only chokes
Tech focus: Side Control Holds, Knee On Belly, Kimura, Armbar, Reverse Triangle, Baseball Bat Choke, Mount Transitions
Biggest takeaway: Secure control before submission.
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What You'll Learn
This is Buchecha's top control playbook: drills to hold side control, transitions to mount, and high-percentage armbars, kimuras, and lapel chokes.
It is a practical bridge for guard passers who get the sweep or pass but struggle to finish.
Primary Techniques You'll Drill
- Side Control Holds
- Knee On Belly
- Kimura
- Americana
- Armbar
- Reverse Triangle
- Baseball Bat Choke
- Scarf Choke
- Mount Transitions
- Wristlock
Format & Level
- Instructional style: System Based, Drill Heavy
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Format: Both
- Runtime: 3 hours and 14 minutes
- Volumes: 4
Should You Buy It?
Wait for daily deal. I finished more armbars by prioritizing chest-to-chest pressure before isolating the arm.
Why Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida?
As a 13-time world champion, Buchecha is famous for converting passes into dominant pins and submissions. His side control emphasizes mobility plus pressure. Many of his finishes historically are armbars and chokes from control. He teaches with practical drills and clear transitions.
Community feedback
Here’s a summary of common feedback from platforms like Reddit’s r/bjj.
😍 Why People Love It
- Double-under backbridge style escapes and counters are widely recommended in side control threads.
- Seminar feedback praised Buchecha's smash-pass to mounted armbar connection.
- Community often seeks structured side control attack systems to fix post-pass stalls.
🤔 Common Criticisms
- Some users prefer other instructors for more systemized side control frameworks.
- Angle issues occasionally make lapel hand placement harder to see.
- Gi emphasis means limited nogi-specific chokes or grips.
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Smart Alternatives
- Side Control Setups & Submissions by Bernardo Faria – Old-school control with easy, durable finishes.
- Understanding The Distance On Top by Gui Mendes – Concepts that connect side control to passing chains. (Price: $197.00)
Sources & References
Video Breakdowns
Official listing: View The Buchecha Side Control Game on BJJ Fanatics
Additional References
Your next step
You have the breakdown, community feedback, and my final thoughts. Now it’s your move.