I’m not here to make up the numbers after my horror injury, I’m here to make some noise, says Brit UFC star Bukauskas
MODESTAS BUKAUSKAS has vowed that 2025 will be his breakthrough year in the UFC.
It’s been two years since the former Cage Warriors light-heavyweight champion made an emotional return to mixed martial arts‘ premier promotion.
He made it back to the promised land 17 months after suffering a potentially career-threatening knee injury in his clash with Khalil Rountree Jr.
Bukuaskas’ second octagon stint has comprised of one defeat and three victories, the last of which was a submission triumph over Marcin Prachnio last July.
Barring defeat to Vitor Petrinho, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ is happy with how things have gone in his second UFC run.
But he’s determined to up the ante this year, declaring in an exclusive interview with SunSport: “This is the year for me to make some noise.
“Personally, I feel like I’ve not made enough noise in the UFC.
“I’ve had some good wins and stuff, but I haven’t really had that performance to send shockwaves into the system.
“One of the goals written on my board is that it’s time to make some noise in the UFC and work towards that top 15 and get those fights and wins in the top 15.
“So realistically, [the goal] for this year is to make myself a stable house name in the top 15. And it all starts on Saturday.”
He added: “I’m not just here to fill up the numbers. I’m here to make a statement. Like I say, just onwards and upwards.”
Ironically, Bukauskas feels better placed to make a run at the light-heavyweight division’s elite now than he did before several of his knee ligaments were ripped to shreds.
“It was definitely a roller coaster,” he said when recalling the long road back to the UFC. “Definitely a roller coaster.
“But I’m glad it went through it because it made me who I am today.
“And it’s made me unlock more of the powers of the ‘Baltic Gladiator’, that’s for sure.”
Bukuaskas’ hopes of cracking the top 15 starts with a Seattle showdown with Raffael Cerqueira, who will be champing at the bit to have his hand raised following defeat in his debut last October.
And he hopes to put himself in position to face the big names in the 205lbs division later this year with a standout performance.
“I’m always fighting for the finish,” Bukuaskas said. “I don’t just want to fight to win on points.
“Sometimes it goes that way, but I’m here to make the finish.
“So you can expect me to come out explosively, come out dangerously and come out there to get the finish.”