Marcus Almeida Set for MMA Debut Against Ji Won Kang at One on TNT 1 on April 7

Thirteen-time world jiu-jitsu champion Marcus Almeida will finally make his MMA debut on April 7 against South Korean Ji Won Kang under the One Championship banner.

Sherdog.com confirmed the heavyweight bout following an initial report from Combate.com. Kang is already scheduled to face Amir Aliakbari at One Championshp “Fists of Fury” on March 5. It is unclear if he will remain on this week’s card and face Almeida next month.

Kang made his MMA debut in 2018 and has won his first four appearances by knockout or technical knockout inside of a round. The 25-year-old last appeared at One Championship “Unbreakable 3” where he stopped Mehdi Barghi at the 4:50 mark of Round 1 on Feb. 5.

Almeida, who trains at American Top Team, recently retired from grappling competition to pursue an MMA career. The 30-year-old has won numerous gold medals and championships during his grappling tenure, including gold medals in the Pan American Championship and IBJJF World Championship, as well as Abu Dhabi Combat Club championships in 2013 and 2017. He was initially slated to meet Oumar Kane in his debut, but that fight was ultimately scrapped.

One on TNT 1 takes place in Singapore and is headlined by a flyweight championship clash between Adriano Moraes and Demetrious Johnson. In another featured bout, Eddie Alvarez will square off against Iuri Lapicus. The evening’s main card will be televised on TNT.