The tide has turned in a big way for Modestas Bukauskas’s career.
A three-fight losing streak — combined with a serious knee injury — ended Bukauskas’s first UFC stint in 2021. After a year on the sidelines, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ regrouped and worked his way back to the big stage.
He reclaimed the Cage Warriors light heavyweight title he had held three years earlier, then earned a UFC return where he has looked like a fighter reborn.
With five wins in six UFC bouts (and seven of his past eight overall), the Lithuanian-born contender has reignited his career. As he prepares to face Paul Craig (17-9-1 MMA, 9-9-1 UFC) at UFC Paris this Saturday, Bukauskas credits part of his resurgence to UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall and his team.
"One massive move that's definitely been a massive credit to my turnaround is going to Tom Aspinall's gym and training with the guys down there," Bukauskas told MMA Junkie Radio this week. "They took me in with open arms. They've been really helping me. They want me to succeed as much as everyone else in the gym and everyone is trying to help each other to get better. Everyone has a massive improvement and development mindset. We're training hard, but it's all done in a good environment, a good space. The energy in the gym is amazing."
Training alongside a fighter of Aspinall’s caliber has been invaluable for Bukauskas. As Aspinall prepares to make the first defense of his UFC heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25, Bukauskas says he has gained a lot simply from being around the champion and his team.
"It's the way that he conducts himself inside of training and outside," Bukauskas said. "He's all-around an amazing athlete and amazing person. I've definitely picked up so many things. I literally feel like I'm grabbing my notebook all the time and taking notes of things that he's done. He's been a massive inspiration to me, seeing how he does everything in the gym and the way that he trains, and the way that his dad trains him. The guy is so disciplined.
"Even this long time he's had without a fight he's always in the gym, he's always training and still been on his diet. He's trying to make himself as good of a fighter and athlete as possible."
