Modestatas Bukauskas insists knee injured by stomp in final UFC fight is ‘absolutely bulletproof’ and will not cause repeat problems like British MMA star Darren Till

Modestatas Bukauskas insists his knee is stronger than ever as he looks to work his way back into the UFC.

‘The Baltic Gladiator’ was cut by MMA’s premier promotion following a TKO loss to Khalil Rountree, who floored him with a knee stomp, at UFC Vegas 36 in September 2021.

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It was his third straight defeat and the final of his UFC run that started with an impressive win over Andreas Michailidis who he fought after winning and defending a world title with Cage Warriors.

Bukauskas underwent surgery on his injured left knee and spent more than a year on the sidelines before returning to action with a decision win over UK MMA veteran, Lee Chadwick, at Cage Warriors 145.

Now, he’s got the chance to win back the belt he relinquished when signing for the UFC, as he takes on Chuck Campbell on December 31 after an unconventional Christmas of training.

Following a 15-minute test run against Chadwick, the 28-year-old is fully confident that he will not be one of the unfortunate athletes who suffer with reoccurring knee issues.  

Bukauskas told talkSPORT: “My knee is absolutely bulletproof, and I can’t wait to use it to its full potential on fight night. I feel like it’s the strongest it’s ever been.

"The UFC did and the doctors did an amazing job in terms of getting it to full strength. It’s much stronger than it’s ever been. I feel like I can do all my capabilities, if not even more.”

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UFC star Darren Till has publicly suffered from a repeat knee issue that has coincided with him losing five of his last six fights.

Following his latest defeat, a third-round submission loss to Dricus du Plessis at UFC 282 earlier his month, Till claimed to have injured his knee once again and suggested he will take some time away from the sport that hasn’t been kind to him in recent years.

After seeing just how devastating knee injuries have been to a fellow British MMA star, Bukauskas has worked to make what many see as his biggest weakness into his biggest strength.

He added: “I will be using my leg as a weapon. Instead of people using it as a weakness, my leg will be a weapon in the cage. That will be my best [injury] prevention, using it as a weapon.”

Bukauskas hopes winning another Cage Warriors title will get him the call to return to the UFC who are currently looking for fighters to fill out their London pay-per-view show on March 18.

Leon Edwards is expected to headline UFC 286 but with Till, Paddy Pimblett, and Tom Aspinall all nursing injuries the card could do with some big UK-based names and Bukauskas is certainly one of them.