[ad_1]
Picture courtesy of Cage Warriors
Modestas Bukauskas (12-5 MMA) is gearing up for a well-recognized scene when he fights Chuck Campbell (5-1, 1 NC, MMA) at Cage Warriors 148 on Dec. 31.
Bukauskas, who bought into the UFC off a stint because the Cage Warriors mild heavyweight champion, is ready to struggle Campbell for the vacant title.
The Lithuanian-born Englishman referred to as Campbell a “credible” opponent, acknowledging that his foe is undefeated in his previous 4 fights.
“He’s very explosive and really highly effective,” Bukauskas informed MMASucka. “He’s performed American soccer in Division I. I do know what the athletes are like in America having been to highschool there for 2 years. Like I stated, very athletic.”
Bukauskas stated Campbell is “fairly primary” in MMA abilities, nevertheless.
“He’s bought an alright little bit of wrestling and heavy fingers, however these are fairly regular by way of the sunshine heavyweight division. I really feel that my talent units are significantly better than his and I’ll be capable to dismantle him. He’s a great opponent, he’s a reputable opponent, however he’s a really beatable opponent. I’ll present what I’m all about on struggle evening. I’m going to take him out. I’m going to complete him for sure.”
Bukauskas first gained the Cage Warriors title with a TKO win over Marthin Hamlet in June 2019. He defended it as soon as earlier than getting the decision to the UFC.
He went 1-3 within the promotion with a win over Andreas Michailidis and losses to Jimmy Crute, Michal Oleksiejczuk and Khalil Rountree, all of whom are Octagon mainstays.
Bukauskas was launched following the Rountree loss, a struggle by which he suffered knee injury after Rountree landed a facet kick to the knee. Bukauskas underwent knee surgical procedure and located himself a free agent. He stated there was a “buffer” to find a promotion to signal with.
“The preliminary conversations with my supervisor was, clearly, I needed to return to the UFC,” Bukauskas stated. “Clearly, I’m nonetheless younger and I’ve nonetheless bought time to make it again.”
Bukauskas, 28, turns 29 in February.
He and his supervisor, Jason Home of Iridium Sports activities Company, looked for a brand new house for “The Baltic Gladiator.” A few choices from different promotions fell by means of for varied causes.
Bukauskas, who suffered the harm in September 2021, stated he was able to struggle the next Could. He wouldn’t compete once more till November, nevertheless.
Finally, Bukauskas determined he would return to his roots and the promotion that bought him to the UFC: Cage Warriors.
“Having fought there earlier than, having gained the belt earlier than, why not return there to acquainted grounds and repeat the glory that I had there as soon as earlier than?” Bukauskas stated.
Bukauskas set himself up for a title shot when he defeated Lee Chadwick by way of unanimous determination on Nov. 4. He didn’t waste any time in signing to struggle Campbell for the vacant belt.
Bukauskas believes profitable the Cage Warriors mild heavyweight title once more would put him “firmly within the historical past books” of the promotion.
“Nicolas Dalby and Dan Hardy are the one two athletes who’ve vacated the belt and gained it again once more,” Bukauskas stated. “This might put me in a a really honorable line of fantastic athletes To be put alongside these actually high-level names could be an absolute honor for me.”
Profitable the Cage Warriors title once more would lead onto greater and higher issues, Bukauskas believes.
“It’s a completely wonderful factor all of the alternatives that may come up as soon as this belt is taken.”
The chance he seeks essentially the most is a return to the UFC. It may occur if he beats Campbell, it may occur if he defends the title as soon as as he did earlier than, or it may occur in a couple of fights, Bukauskas stated.
“In fact, I’m going to get the job performed on New Yr’s Eve to make that every one occur.”
How?
“I plan to knock him out. Simply easy and plain. I plan to knock him out spectacularly. I do know commentators have stated earlier than that, ‘oh, he places a whole lot of stress on himself to complete,’ however I consider I’m a rare fighter. I have to go on the market and present it. I have to take dangers. I simply wish to placed on a present for the followers and make it one hell of an evening. One hell of a solution to finish out the 12 months. I’m going to finish the 12 months out with a bang, and I’m going to complete Campbell by knockout.”
Bukauskas, ought to he defeat Campbell, doesn’t know but what his subsequent transfer will likely be. Whereas a name again to the UFC ASAP is his objective, he stated he wouldn’t dismiss different promotions like Bellator, ONE Championship or the Skilled Fighters League. He nonetheless feels he has lots to offer within the sport, in any case.
“In fact, you’ll be able to’t simply fully dismiss all the opposite choices that will doubtlessly be on the desk,” he stated. “Clearly, it’s my primary objective to get again to the UFC, and I’ve my head fully straight on doing so. Like I stated, I’ll solely be 29 in February. There are different athletes earlier than who’ve performed it. They’ve come again [to the UFC] even of their 30s, or there are guys coming which might be 29, 30. For me, it might be wonderful clearly to do this. However in fact, I’ll by no means flip away different choices. If there’s one thing suited towards me, I’ll take it. In fact, my coronary heart remains to be very set on the UFC. However I’d by no means fully write off every other choices.”
Bukauskas and Campbell are set to compete on the principle card of Cage Warriors 148 on the afternoon of Dec. 31. The cardboard is ready to air on UFC Battle Go. The occasion will go down from the Indigo on the O2 in London, England.
[ad_2]
Source link
