Tag: Modestas Bukauskas

“Nice to get beaten up by the GOAT” Modestas Bukauskas on training with Jon Jones

"Nice to get beaten up by the GOAT" Modestas Bukauskas on training with Jon JonesModestas Bukauskas can’t put a price on the time he spent training with Jon Jones. Stepping back inside the…

"Nice to get beaten up by the GOAT" Modestas Bukauskas on training with Jon Jones

Modestas Bukauskas can’t put a price on the time he spent training with Jon Jones.

Stepping back inside the Octagon this Saturday night for the UFC’s highly anticipated return to the UK, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ will square off with Polish standout Marcin Prachnio. Bukauskas will be looking to climb back into the win column after seeing his four-fight win streak snapped by the hands of Vitor Petrino in November.

Modestas Bukauskas

Before kicking off the festivities at Co-op Live in Manchester, Bukauskas spoke with Calf Kick Sports about his extensive experience training with the consensus GOAT of mixed martial arts.

“Every day for like 10 weeks, rounds and rounds and rounds,” Bukauskas said. “When I was 22, I was 4-0 as a pro and I had a sponsor at the time so I went to Albuquerque and the first time, I got to train with Andrei Arlovski and the second time I came around, Jon Jones was there. He had heard from the managers there that I’m a really good striker and he should do some rounds with [me].

“He’s a really cool guy. We ended up doing a load of rounds together. Literally every day with did jiu-jitsu rounds, wrestling, and MMA. It was amazing that I was able to get that opportunity to train and witness the greatest of all time. He really is a nice guy. He was very helpful and very welcoming as well. It was nice to get those rounds in and it gave me the confidence in myself that I’m training with the best in the world. It was definitely a sign of things to come in the future.”

Having dominated the light heavyweight division for more than a decade, Jon Jones made the move to heavyweight after a three-year-long layoff and quickly dispatched the top-ranked contender, Ciryl Gane, at UFC 285 to take home the vacant heavyweight crown.

“If you’re gonna get beaten up by someone, it might as well be the greatest of all time,” Bukauskas added. “We had some good rounds.”

Modestas Bukauskas shocked by how strong Jon Jones’ wrestling really is

Though Jones is known best for his world-class striking skills, Bukauskas was shocked to find out just how good ‘Bones’ is on the mat, noting that once the undisputed heavyweight champion gets his hands on you, it’s hard as hell to break free.

“His wrestling is next level. I knew it was good, but I didn’t realize how good it was. He’s very strong in those positions. If he gets a grip on you, it’s hard to get out. There’s different types of strength and he’s definitely got that wrestling strength for sure.”

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Jones Jones has not competed since his two-minute submission victory over Gane in May 2023. Originally, he was set to defend the heavyweight title against two-time champion Stipe Miocic late last year, but a torn pectoral muscle forced him to bow out of the bout.

No official announcements have been made, but all signs point toward Jones vs. Miocic finally going down at UFC 309 on November 9 when the promotion makes its annual pit spot in Madison Square Garden.

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“There is war on the line” Modestas Bukauskas Talks UFC 304 late night fight

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 304The Lithuanian-British Modestas Bukauskas will be facing Marcin Prachnio at UFC 304 in a late-night battle live from Manchester,…

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 304

The Lithuanian-British Modestas Bukauskas will be facing Marcin Prachnio at UFC 304 in a late-night battle live from Manchester, England. UFC 304 is upcoming on September 24, while it is taking place in the UK, the event will broadcast best suited for US timezones, the prelims will start at 11:15 pm and the main card is booked for 3:00 am locally.

Modestas Bukauskas vs. Marcin Prachnio

The 30-year-old Modestas Bukauskas is looking to break into the top 15 rankings with a win against Poland’s Marcin Prachnio at UFC 304. After mixed results in his early UFC run, the Cage Warriors standout was putting together a comeback in the promotion earning a four-fight win streak. But, in late 2023 he suffered a loss which stifled his momentum. Now, he is looking to put the pieces back together again with a win in Machester. Prachnio is coming off of a victory against the experienced Devin Clark.

Fighting late at night is simply not an issue at all for Bukauskas. While some athletes are adjusting training schedules, the 30-year-old athlete is always ready for battle. Regardless of the time of day, he is looking for a knockout win. “The Baltic Gladiator” will be opening the event so he will only be fighting at 11:30 pm and then he can enjoy the rest of the show.

Speaking in an interview with Ashley Terence of Calf Kick Sports, he explained “I think any time there is war on the line, your body naturally prepares for it,” Bukauskas continued, “I remember I fought for the FightStar belt, I ended up getting there at two in the afternoon and didn’t end up fighting until 12:30 at night … I went to Australia and fought at ten in the morning. Been to Abu Dhabi fighting at 3 in the morning… But ultimately when it comes down to fight time the adrenaline will take over.”

In addition to Modestas Bukauskas, UFC 304 will be headlined by two title matches. Leon Edwards looks to defend his title against Belal Muhammad while the interim heavyweight crown is on the line between Tom Aspinall and Curtis Blaydes.

UFC Light Heavyweight Settles Number One Pound-For-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones & Alex Pereira

When Jon Jones made the decision to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title in order to take some time off before coming back at heavyweight, his former division was left in a strange place. The title seemed to change hands constantly without a real dominant presence at the top, until Alex Pereira made the move […]

Continue Reading UFC Light Heavyweight Settles Number One Pound-For-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones & Alex Pereira at MMA News.

When Jon Jones made the decision to vacate the UFC light heavyweight title in order to take some time off before coming back at heavyweight, his former division was left in a strange place.

The title seemed to change hands constantly without a real dominant presence at the top, until Alex Pereira made the move up from middleweight.

Having conquered the 185-pound division before losing the title in a rematch with Israel Adesanya, he went on to do the same at 205.

Whilst it would be hard to argue that Pereira is the most skilled mixed martial artist on the planet, his record and accomplishments in such a short period of time speak for themselves.

It was only a matter of time, with just one weight class between them, that people started to pit Pereira versus the current heavyweight champion.

Modestas Bukauskas Says Jon Jones Is Undeniable Despite Alex Pereira’s Achievements

In a recent interview with InsideFighting, UFC light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas gave his thoughts on whether Pereira has done enough to overshadow Jones on the pound-for-pound list.

There has been a debate over the past several months about whether Jones or the lightweight champion Islam Makhachev should be considered the best on the planet, but after Pereira put on another dominant display at UFC 303, he has entered the conversation.

Bukauskas, who returns at UFC 304 against Marcin Prachnio, cites Pereira as a big inspiration and has briefly trained with Jones much earlier in his career.

He believes that despite his admiration for the impact that “Poatan” has had, the record books alone show why “Bones” is considered by many to be the greatest to ever do it.

“I mean if you’re talking about who’s probably the greatest of all time and what they’ve done in the sport, how could Jon Jones not be at the top of that list? Alex Pereira has obviously done a hell of a lot considering like in a short space of time but you know, Jon Jones has literally had about like 10 or 11 title defenses or something like that. When you’re defending the belt like that many times and now moved up to heavyweight and stuff like this, I mean you can’t really deny that. Although, what Alex has done has been amazing but I’d still put Jon Jones at the top of that list.”

Continue Reading UFC Light Heavyweight Settles Number One Pound-For-Pound Debate Between Jon Jones & Alex Pereira at MMA News.

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Modestas Bukauskas details spirited walkout energy ahead of UFC 284 return: ‘I could feel ancestors giving me strength’

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 WalkoutUFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents. Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in […]

Modestas Bukauskas UFC 284 Walkout

UFC light heavyweight, Modestas Bukauskas claimed his most recent Octagon walk in Perth, Australia earlier this month brought something entirely different than prior walks, explaining how an energy-filled trek to combat was fueled by ancestors and his late grandparents.

Bukauskas, who made his short-notice Octagon return earlier this month at the RAC Arena, turned in the most high-profile victory of his professional career to date, travelling to hostile territory to land a close, unanimous decision win over Tyson Pedro ‘Down Under’.

The victory came as Bukauskas’ third consecutively, having regained the Cage Warriors heavyweight crown with a one-sided eventual fourth round knockout win over Chuck Campbell back in December of last year. 

14-5 as a professional, Bukauskas had previously competed four times under the Dana White-led banner – dispatching Andreas Michailidis with strikes, before suffering a trio of defeats against Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk, and a devastating TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. – suffering a debilitating knee injury to boot. 

Modestas Bukauskas details an energy-filled walkout experience ahead of UFC 284

Sharing his experience of walking out in front of a hostile crowd at the RAC Arena ahead of his UFC comeback against Pedro, Bukauskas explained how he felt “strength” was provided to him from ancestors and his late grandparents ahead of his fight.

“I had a very, sort of euphoric opening walkout, actually,” Modestas Bukauskas told LowKick MMA reporter, Frank Bonada. “I felt a real energy, like although I was getting booed, like when I was walking out, I felt so calm. It was weird to me, to have felt that calm. It was probably the most present I ever felt. I felt really in the moment – I could feel everything, I could see everything, I could hear everything – everything just felt like ‘4K’.”

“…Here I felt in the moment, ready to go,” Modestas Bukauskas explained. “I could feel my ancestors giving me strength and energy. And even like my – like I had a weird moment where I felt like my grandparents like presence, ‘cause they both passed away from my dad’s side. And I remember just saying to my dad before we walked out, I said, you know, ‘Grandma and grandad, they’ve given up energy. I’m feeling it. We’re going to go in and do the job.’” 

Tyson Pedro Describes Test From His Father To Become A Fighter

Choosing to make your living as a fighter isn’t an easy decision, and Tyson Pedro says his father made sure to give him a brutal test before signing off on his son’s desired career path. The 31-year-old successfully returned from a nearly f…

Choosing to make your living as a fighter isn’t an easy decision, and Tyson Pedro says his father made sure to give him a brutal test before signing off on his son’s desired career path. The 31-year-old successfully returned from a nearly four-year layoff last year when he stopped Ike Villanueva in the first round….

Continue Reading Tyson Pedro Describes Test From His Father To Become A Fighter at MMA News.