Modestas Bukauskas

Modestas Bukauskas (born 10 February 1994) is a Lithuanian-British mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He is the former two-time Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Champion.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Bukauskas, a four-time British Kickboxing Champion compiled a 10–2 record on the UK MMA scene, fighting mostly for the Cage Warriors promotion, where he won the Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Championship by knocking out 7-time Norwegian national wrestling champion Marthin Hamlet in the fourth round at Cage Warriors 106. He then went on to defend his title at Cage Warriors 111 against Riccardo Nosiglia by knocking Nosiglia out with elbows to the head after Nosiglia tried for a takedown.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Bukauskas was scheduled to face Vinicius Moreira at UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Ige on 16 July 2020. However, Moreira tested positive for COVID-19 on 3 July and was removed from the event. Moreira was replaced by Andreas Michailidis. He won the bout via TKO after Michailidis couldn't get up at the end of the round due to a series of elbows to the side of the head. Bukauskas in the process became the first Lithuanian to win in the UFC. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Bukauskas faced Jimmy Crute on 18 October 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Ortega vs. The Korean Zombie. He lost the fight via knockout in round one.

Bukauskas faced Michał Oleksiejczuk on 27 March 2021, at UFC 260. He lost a close bout via split decision.

Bukauskas faced Khalil Rountree Jr. on 4 September 2021, at UFC Fight Night 191. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round two after Rountree side kicked his front leg causing an injury.

On 20 October 2021, it was announced that Bukauskas was no longer on the UFC roster.

Post UFC In his first performance post UFC release, Bukauskas returned from a year layoff due to a knee surgery to defeat Lee Chadwick via unanimous decision on 4 November 2022, at Cage Warriors 145.

Bukauskas faced Chuck Campbell for the vacant Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Championship on 31 December 2022, at Cage Warriors 148, knocking him out in the fourth round to regain the title.

Return to UFC Bukauskas faced Tyson Pedro, replacing Zhang Mingyang, on 12 February 2023, at UFC 284. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Bukauskas faced Zac Pauga on 17 June 2023 at UFC on ESPN 47. He won the close fight via unanimous decision. 11 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Pauga.

Bukauskas faced Vitor Petrino on 4 November 2023 at UFC Fight Night 231. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round.

Bukauskas faced Marcin Prachnio on 27 July 2024, at UFC 304. He won the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.

Bukauskas faced Raffael Cerqueira on 22 February 2025 at UFC Fight Night 252. He won the fight by knockout in the first round.

Bukauskas faced Ion Cuțelaba on 10 May 2025 at UFC 315. He won the fight by split decision.

Bukauskas faced Paul Craig on 6 September 2025 at UFC Fight Night 258. He won the fight by knockout via an elbow at the end of the first round.

Bukauskas faced Nikita Krylov on 24 January 2026 at UFC 324. He lost the fight via knockout in round three.

Bukauskas was scheduled to face Rodolfo Bellato on 16 May 2026 at UFC Fight Night 276. However, Bellato pulled out during fight week for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by promotional newcomer Christian Edwards in a catchweight of 215 pounds. Bukauskas won the fight by split decision.

Bukauskas is scheduled to face Oumar Sy on 5 September 2026, at UFC Fight Night 287.

Championships and achievements Mixed martial arts Cage Warriors Cage Warriors Light Heavyweight Championship (Two times)