Modestas Bukauskas Aims for Championship Legacy After Injury Comeback

Las Vegas, Nevada — Modestas Bukauskas is poised to continue his comeback story at UFC 315 this Saturday at Bell Centre in Montreal. The light heavyweight fighter, who overcame significant injury and setbacks, seeks his third straight victory against Ion Cutelaba.

After suffering a devastating knee injury that ended his first UFC stint, Bukauskas faced a long and grueling recovery. He expressed his determination to rise again, stating, “Imagine you are reading a book about Modestas. We’re talking about his MMA career and it’s like, ‘Oh, he got to the UFC and that’s it.’ That’d be a pretty sh*t book to be honest with you. I was always determined not to let the story end there.”

Following a period of uncertainty, he returned to action 14 months later. Bukauskas recounted his challenges but used them as motivation. “When I got cut, I still went through a very, very dark time. But I just used that as motivation because a lot of people wrote me off,” he said.

His recent successes, including a unanimous decision victory over Bellator alum Lee Chadwick and Cage Warriors gold, propelled him back into the UFC. Bukauskas recognizes the difference in his mindset compared to his first time in the promotion. “I don’t think I was mentally ready the first time I was in the UFC,” he said. “Now, I’m more intense in the way I approach fights.”

Support from his father and a chance encounter with UFC heavyweight Tom Aspinall have also greatly influenced his journey. “I dropped him a message, and he was insanely welcoming. We had an amazing bond right away,” Bukauskas remarked.

This bond with Aspinall’s team has contributed to his improved mindset and performance. Bukauskas shared that Aspinall’s advice helped him embrace the pressure of fights. He learned to relax and be loose, which he credits for his recent success as he heads into UFC 315 with a 4-1 record in his second UFC tenure.

As Bukauskas aims for a championship legacy, he remains focused on his goals. “I want to have a legacy. I want to be that guy who is able to defend his belt and really solidify himself as a true stable champion,” he said. With a victory over Cutelaba, he hopes to break into the top 15 rankings, inching closer to his ultimate goal.