UFC"The Baltic Gladiator"Modestas Bukauskas Record: 20-7-0
Light HeavyweightRecord20-7-0
Age32
DivisionLight Heavyweight · #21
Combat Edge Elo1707
Last fightMay 16 2026
Modestas Bukauskas has a 20-7-0 professional record and is 32 years old in the Light Heavyweight division, representing Gintas Combat. This profile tracks fight history, UFC stats, ELO rating, record, age, and opponent links.
Last updated Jun 17, 2026 · Combat Edge fight database
Modestas Bukauskas bio
Personal background
Modestas Bukauskas is a Lithuanian light heavyweight in the UFC, fighting under the nickname "The Baltic Gladiator" with a professional record of 20-7. Born on February 10, 1994, in Klaipėda, Lithuania, he moved to the United Kingdom as a young child and grew up immersed in martial arts there, training in karate, kickboxing, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. His father, Gintas Bukauskas, was a kickboxing champion who steered Modestas toward the fight game, and the family name carries through to his gym, Gintas Combat. A multiple-time British kickboxing champion before turning to MMA, the 6'3" light heavyweight built a game around a sharp, technical striking base, a dangerous clinch, and an elbow-heavy finishing instinct that runs through his career.
Path to the UFC
Bukauskas turned pro in 2015 and cut his teeth on the British and European circuit, fighting most prominently for Cage Warriors. He hit early adversity – back-to-back 2016 losses to Pavel Doroftei and John Redmond – before reeling off a long winning run. He captured the Cage Warriors light heavyweight title with a fourth-round TKO of Norwegian wrestler Marthin Hamlet at Cage Warriors 106 in 2019, then defended it with a first-round KO of Riccardo Nosiglia, ending the fight with elbows when his opponent shot for a takedown. That two-time-champion résumé earned him a UFC call.
UFC career
His Octagon debut in July 2020 made history: a first-round TKO of Andreas Michailidis, finished with brutal elbows that left his opponent unable to continue, which earned a Performance of the Night bonus and made Bukauskas the first Lithuanian to win in the UFC. A tough stretch followed – a 2020 KO loss to Jimmy Crute, a 2021 split-decision loss to Michał Oleksiejczuk, and a leg-kick TKO defeat to Khalil Rountree Jr. that saw him released. He rebuilt outside the promotion, then returned in style with a 2023 decision over Tyson Pedro at UFC 284 and a decision over Zac Pauga, before a KO loss to unbeaten Vitor Petrino.
Resurgence
Bukauskas answered with the best run of his career. He submitted Marcin Prachnio with an arm-triangle choke at UFC 304 in 2024, knocked out Raffael Cerqueira in the first round in early 2025, edged Ion Cutelaba by split decision at UFC 315, and stopped veteran Paul Craig with an elbow in 2025. A KO loss to Nikita Krylov at UFC 324 interrupted the surge, but he bounced back with a 2026 split-decision win over Christian Edwards.
Fighting style
Bukauskas is a well-rounded, pressure-based light heavyweight whose 70% finish rate is split across knockouts and submissions – 11 KOs and 3 subs among his 20 wins. His best work comes in tight, where his elbows have ended several fights, and he pairs that with a serviceable wrestling and grappling game capable of dragging fights into arm-triangle finishes. The clearest vulnerability is durability against the division's heaviest hitters: five of his seven losses have come by knockout, reflecting the high-risk nature of light heavyweight, where one clean shot can end any night.
Career highlights
- First Lithuanian to win in the UFC — his Performance of the Night TKO of Andreas Michailidis in 2020 made history for his country.
- Two-time Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion — won and defended the title with finishes before reaching the UFC.
- Career-best resurgence — finishes of Marcin Prachnio, Raffael Cerqueira, and Paul Craig reestablished him as a ranked threat.
Career snapshot
Modestas Bukauskas career snapshot
EloCombat Edge Elo
1707Good ratingElo trajectory (last 3 years)
Overall#358
Light Heavyweight#21of 96 active
Peak1716
Last move+7
Opponent quality1641avg. pre-fight Elo · last 10
Career-high 1716 Elo after defeating Paul Craig (2025-09-06)
Similar Elo in Light Heavyweight
Modestas Bukauskas quick answers
What is Modestas Bukauskas's record?
Modestas Bukauskas's professional MMA record is 20-7-0.
How old is Modestas Bukauskas?
Modestas Bukauskas is 32 years old.
What weight class is Modestas Bukauskas?
Modestas Bukauskas fights at Light Heavyweight in UFC.
How tall is Modestas Bukauskas?
Modestas Bukauskas is 6'3" tall with a 78" reach.
How much does Modestas Bukauskas weigh?
Modestas Bukauskas competes at Light Heavyweight, with a most recent weigh-in of 205 lbs.
What is Modestas Bukauskas's Combat Edge Elo?
Modestas Bukauskas's Combat Edge Elo is 1707, with a peak Elo of 1716.
How strong is Modestas Bukauskas's recent opposition?
Modestas Bukauskas's latest 10 counted opponents averaged 1641 Elo immediately before their fights. This avoids using opponents' later career results with hindsight.
When was Modestas Bukauskas's last fight?
Modestas Bukauskas's latest tracked pro fight was against Christian Edwards at UFC Fight Night on May 16 2026.
What is Modestas Bukauskas's recent form?
Modestas Bukauskas's recent tracked pro form is W-L-W-W-W over the latest 5 decisive pro results.
How does Modestas Bukauskas usually win?
Modestas Bukauskas's 20 recorded wins include 11 knockouts, 3 submissions, and 6 decisions, with 70% ending before the final bell.
11Wins by knockout
3Wins by submission
6Wins by decision
5Loss by knockout
1Loss by submission
1Loss by decision
Modestas Bukauskas stats
Record : 20 / 7 / 0Significant strikes landed per minute
3.24Fighter3.17Division average
Significant striking accuracy
43%Fighter47%Division average
Significant strikes absorbed per minute
4.05Fighter4.44Division average
Significant strike defenseThe % of opponents strikes that did not land
51%Fighter50%Division average
Average takedowns landed per 15 minutes
0.26Fighter1.73Division average
Takedown accuracy
67%Fighter35%Division average
Takedown defenseThe % of opponents TD attempts that did not land
79%Fighter51%Division average
Average submissions attempted per 15 minutes
0.13Fighter0.70Division average
Pro fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
Amateur fight history
ResultOpponentMethodTimeRoundEventDateFight details
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