Modestas Bukauskas wanted to fight in London in July but is ready for redemption at UFC Apex.
Bukauskas was re-signed by the UFC earlier this year as he took on Tyson Pedro on short notice at UFC 284. The former Cage Warriors champ was heading into the fight, but he shocked many when he picked up a decision victory.
After the win, Bukauskas made it clear that he wanted to fight in London, but to his surprise, the UFC booked him to fight a month before he was due to return to the UK.
“I’m not going to lie, I’m surprised I’m not (on the London card),” Bukauskas said on Just Scrap Radio on BJPENN.com. “There were a couple of names that came up and Zack Bauga actually sent me a message on Twitter and said ‘Hey, are you eager to get rid of it in June’. I said ‘Well how about coming to London in July’. I thought I earned that after I I went home to another guy and beat him in two weeks. For the UFC, it made sense to do it for Zack, but I embrace the challenge of having to go abroad again.”
In addition to not fighting in London, Bukauskas will also have to fight again at the UFC Apex. The last two times he fought where he lost, including when he tore his knee after a kick to the leg from Khalil Rountree and was later cut short by the UFC.
Although some may be reluctant to fight there again, Modestas Bukauskas says he will accept the challenge and plans to change the script and rewrite history.
“Hell no, I’m going to war. This is the time to rewrite history, the last time I was there, I had losses,” Bukauskas said. “Now, it’s time to change the script, it’s time to change the script and I’ll bring back the victory. It will be so much sweeter when we go back there again, and not struggle in my hometown and beat another man in his own country.”
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When Bukauskas walks to octagon At Apex once again he will face Zac Pauga who will pick up his first win in the UFC. However, Bukauskas believes he is better all around and is confident he has all the tools to raise his hand at UFC Vegas 75.
“He’s good, he’s got a good skill set. He’s done a very good job of getting to the skill set he has in a very short time. Having played other sports and things like that,” Bukaukaskas said. “I don’t feel like anyone whose skill set is very prominent Or too prominent, which is why I feel like I have the upper edge… I know I’m better than this guy. He poses many threats but so do I. People still don’t know all I can do, and it’s always been a theme. But, slowly and surely people see what I’m capable of and I look forward to showing more.”
With Modestas Baukauskas confident he is better all around, he expects not only to raise his hand but to seal the win in injury time.
“I’m going to the end as usual. I feel like I can go and chase him and knock him to the floor, I also think I can take him to a stand-up. I feel like I’m going to take him down, whether he’s on the floor to the end, but I’m going to take him down 100%,” Bukaukaskas added. “.
If Modestas Bukauskas stops at UFC Vegas 75, he’s not sure what that does for him. However, he says he’s not in the same rush to fight a top 15 opponent as he was in his first stint in the UFC, because he wants to build himself back up.
“Honestly, I’m going to take my time. As much as I would like to battle among the top 15 players and think I can beat those guys in the top 15, there are a lot of names to go for. It’s all about picking them one by one and getting to the gold. Once he gets to the next contract negotiation, that’s when I’ll make it to the top fifteen.”