Career Averages - Modestas Bukauskas
Career Averages - Andreas Michailidis
Modestas Bukauskas - Fight History
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas, trusting his gut despite an uneasy feeling. He notes Bukauskas can stop some takedowns and have success striking, leading to a decision win. He recalls Bellato losing similar fights where he had takedowns but was behind on striking. He has seen Bellato quit before.
Lucrative James tentatively picks Modestas Bukauskas via decision, but expresses low confidence. He notes Bukauskas's superior footwork and range management, but also highlights concerns about his training camp disruption and lack of finishing ability. He suggests the fight could go either way and may bet on Bellato if the odds are favorable.
The host thinks Bukauskas is technically superior and should outwork Bellato, but he is hesitant due to Bellato's knockout power and aggression. He predicts Bukauskas wins by decision but would only bet if the line becomes a pick'em or Bukauskas becomes the underdog.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 36 of 80 | 45% | 52 of 99 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Christian Edwards | 0 | 36 of 71 | 50% | 51 of 89 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 10 of 29 | 34% | 19 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Edwards | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 20 of 40 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:47 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 16 of 28 | 57% | 18 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Christian Edwards | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:08 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 15 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Christian Edwards | 0 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 20 of 27 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 36 of 80 | 45% | 21 of 64 | 10 of 11 | 5 of 5 | 30 of 74 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Edwards | 36 of 71 | 50% | 13 of 41 | 17 of 20 | 6 of 10 | 27 of 61 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 10 of 29 | 34% | 4 of 22 | 4 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 8 of 27 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Edwards | 11 of 30 | 36% | 2 of 16 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 6 | 9 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 28 | 57% | 14 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 27 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Edwards | 11 of 22 | 50% | 3 of 12 | 7 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 18 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 10 of 23 | 43% | 3 of 16 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 20 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Christian Edwards | 14 of 19 | 73% | 8 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 16 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Cody reluctantly picks Modestas Bukauskas, noting that Christian Edwards has shown poor durability, heart, and grappling. He acknowledges that Bukauskas is not a high-level fighter but has fought better competition. However, he is not confident at -280 and considers it a dog-or-pass fight. He suggests Bukauskas by decision or an over 2.5 rounds prop.
Bukauskas is better everywhere and Edwards is on short notice. Bukauskas should win easily, but the odds are too short to bet. No interest in fight spread or over/under.
Paul struggles to pick a side, finding it hard to back Modestas Bukauskas at -280 and also not confident in Christian Edwards. He notes that Edwards has been knocked out by Ben Parish and lost to Rake Cleveland, but is still young and training at a good gym. He decides to pass from a betting perspective.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikita Krylov | 1 | 72 of 137 | 52% | 94 of 164 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:37 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 40 of 108 | 37% | 43 of 111 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:56 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikita Krylov | 0 | 10 of 28 | 35% | 25 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 1:58 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 11 of 21 | 52% | 13 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Nikita Krylov | 0 | 23 of 40 | 57% | 30 of 47 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 11 of 32 | 34% | 12 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:56 | |
| 3 | Nikita Krylov | 1 | 39 of 69 | 56% | 39 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 18 of 55 | 32% | 18 of 55 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nikita Krylov | 72 of 137 | 52% | 25 of 76 | 22 of 34 | 25 of 27 | 64 of 128 | 5 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 40 of 108 | 37% | 35 of 101 | 2 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 40 of 108 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nikita Krylov | 10 of 28 | 35% | 3 of 17 | 1 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 10 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 11 of 21 | 52% | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nikita Krylov | 23 of 40 | 57% | 8 of 20 | 8 of 13 | 7 of 7 | 19 of 36 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 11 of 32 | 34% | 8 of 28 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Nikita Krylov | 39 of 69 | 56% | 14 of 39 | 13 of 16 | 12 of 14 | 35 of 65 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 3 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 18 of 55 | 32% | 16 of 52 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 55 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-165), Krylov (+130)
Round 1
A 205-pound smash-‘em-up derby keeps the action going, as the two men about to set foot in the cage are eying that new $25K finish bonus on top of the raised $100K for Fight of the Night and Performance of the Night. Krylov (30-11, 11-9 UFC) may be gunning for the latter of those two bonus checks, given his 93% stoppage rate with 23 of his 28 finishes coming in Round 1. “The Baltic Gladiator” Bukauskas (19-6, 7-4 UFC) will need to be on his best behavior when taking on the offensive force of the Ukrainian by way of Russia, and referee Marc Goddard will see to that. They touch gloves.
Krylov bounces back and forth on his heels, and he times a high kick that careens off the guard and a low kick that slaps off the front leg. When Krylov tosses out another naked leg kick, Bukauskas belts him with a pair of punches. Krylov gets away with another calf kick, and his subsequent offering to the midsection comes up short. Bukauskas winds up and hurls punches at his opponent, who backs straight up and is just out of range. Krylov attempts a single-leg entry, and he proceeds to press Bukauskas against the cage wall. Bukauskas looks to use a body lock when the first effort fails, and he works his foe’s knees while grinding on him. Krylov aims to slip his leg around Bukauskas’ to disrupt his balance, and he tackles the Lithuanian to the floor for a moment. Bukauskas bounces back up and gets pushed to the wall, and the crowd is not having it.
Krylov transitions from one takedown attempt to another, but Bukauskas is able to defend them and stay upright. Goddard claps for them to do more, and Krylov grabs hold of a single and lifts the leg up high. Bukauskas springs away and barely evades a head kick on the way out, and when he tries to engage, he gets caught with a right hand on the temple. Krylov peppers with kicks on the outside, and one of his low kicks is met with a blistering right hand that makes him take a quick count of his teeth. Bukauskas swats with a left and then a right hand, and Krylov springs into action with a kick and swinging fists that miss by a wide margin. Another Krylov blitz is met with counters, but he steels himself and shakes up “The Baltic Gladiator” with a right hand. Bukauskas retreats to gather his thoughts, and Krylov lets him off the hook as the two reach the round horn for the first time of any fight tonight.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Krylov
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Krylov
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Krylov
Round 2
The 205ers touch gloves to get started, and it takes a couple seconds before Krylov unveils his first offensive tactic of a body kick. Bukauskas replies with a one-two, and they both toss out kicks at the same time to different targets. Bukauskas clips Krylov with a left hand on the way out, and fists quickly fly in an exchange at the center of the cage. Krylov works the body with a kick, and this draws out some hard swings from Bukauskas that drive him back. The Ukrainian ducks a huge haymaker and engages in a clinch with hopes of scoring a takedown, but Bukauskas is able to stifle them and spin him around against the wire. They jockey for position and trade knees up the middle, with neither man gaining the upper hand as they stay at it.
Krylov gets off a solid knee to the breadbasket and shoots, but the takedown hits a wall. Goddard asks for them to do more, and they answer by shoving one another away. Krylov’s mouthpiece falls out, and he quickly puts it back in as Bukauskas lets him do so. Krylov lumbers forward and smacks Bukauskas in the temple with a lead-leg head kick, and he skims his man on the temple with a looping left. Bukauskas sits down on a chopping kick, and he slides away from the trio of punches aimed at his mug. Krylov narrowly evades bombs chucked at his chin, although Bukauskas is able to get him a few times. Krylov strikes back, with his blows having an impact as Bukauskas’ left cheek is swelling up fast. Krylov ducks down for a looping right, and he dodges a big right hand and manages to kick the body on the way out. Bukauskas overswings his right hand and is blocked, with “The Baltic Gladiator” hunting for that home run blow. He manages to get off a spinning back kick to the body, and they trade hands until the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Round 3
The two reach the final round and share a fist bump before throwing caution to the wind. Both men lob huge hooks at one another, and they largely escape the damage from them thanks to just enough head movement. Krylov goes low to high with two kicks, and he steps in and blasts Bukauskas with a left hand. Krylov gets off another booming punch, and Bukauskas sits down on counters but largely comes up short. “The Miner” digs a kick to the midsection and is countered, but the damage is done as his kick connected. Bukauskas waits for the one big opening, and Krylov is dancing around the edges of range hitting him with anything he offers. Bukauskas snaps the head back with a solid left, but it is one-and-done before Krylov rushes at him to trade leather. Bukauskas clips him again, and Krylov pays no attention to the blow and plods ever forward. He works the body with a kick, and sways back from the looping counters.
Bukauskas lands a calf kick, and Krylov nods at him and doubles up on kicks from his rear leg. Bukauskas keeps his guard up to defend himself from the blows, and he winds up on a right hand that misses the mark. Krylov tanks two punches on the jaw and frustrates his foe with push kicks to the body. Krylov sneaks in a left hand while hurling heavy shots, and Bukauskas is left playing catch-up. They trade punches after Bukauskas absorbs a calf kick, and Bukauskas tries to take advantage of the strike by loading up on more. They miss, and the crowd boos. Krylov leads with a low kick into a jab, and he gets caught by a right hand and waves Bukauskas on for more. Bukauskas gives him more with a crisp left, and Krylov dances around and switches stances a few times. Krylov dodges a wheel kick and gets blazed with a right hand, and he is on a mission. Hearing the 10-second clapper, “The Miner” digs deep and unloads with a fire and fury while Bukauskas is overloading on his own strikes.
Krylov catches his man cleanly with a ferocious right hand that sets “The Baltic Gladiator” down and forces his eyes to roll around in his head. Bukauskas turns to try to recover, crawling to his knees to the fence, and Krylov races after him and batters him with destructive right hands. One particularly effective fist shuts Bukauskas’ lights out and his post arms give way, leading to Bukauskas collapsing on his face like a failed push-up.
Goddard sees that Bukauskas went out and rushes in to stop the fight, keeping the finish streak—and buzzer-beater pattern—alive today. It may have taken just about 15 minutes to get there, but Krylov registered a huge knockout after a close battle, his first since 2022 when he smoked Alexander Gustafsson.
The Official Result
Nikita Krylov def. Modestas Bukauskas R3 4:57 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas, trusting his takedown defense and power. He thinks Nikita Krylov is the better overall fighter but has a weak chin, and Bukauskas only needs one clean shot. He warns Bukauskas not to engage in grappling like he did against Paul Craig.
Big Brady thinks Krylov is washed, citing his age (33 but 41 fights), long layoff, and two recent KO losses where he looked old and hesitant. He notes Krylov has stopped grappling, which was his best attribute. Bukauskas has been improving, and Brady expects him to knock out Krylov in the second round.
Cody confidently picks Bukauskas, arguing that Krylov is washed after a two-year layoff and two first-round KO losses. He notes Bukauskas's defensive wrestling and cardio should allow him to survive the first round and take over. Cody believes Bukauskas's ring generalship and durability will be enough to edge out a win.
Connor is sad about Krylov's decline, noting his chin is gone after two consecutive knockouts. He observes that Krylov looks panicked and flailing in recent fights, while Bukauskas has been improving, becoming more composed and taking opportunities. Connor believes Bukauskas's accuracy and incidental power could lead to a knockout, especially given Krylov's compromised durability.
Daniel Vreeland picks Modestas Bukauskas to win by knockout. He notes that Krylov has lost two straight by first-round KO and appears washed, while Bukauskas is on a hot streak and brimming with confidence. Vreeland believes Bukauskas is catching Krylov at the perfect time and will get the biggest win of his career.
James picks Krylov as an underdog, believing the line is too wide due to recency bias. He notes Krylov's superior skill set and grappling, and that Bukauskas has struggled with grappling. He also mentions inside info that Bukauskas's training camp has been disrupted. However, he acknowledges Krylov's chin might be shot.
The host picks Bukauskas by knockout, believing his improved striking and defensive grappling will nullify Krylov's takedowns. He notes Krylov is on a two-fight losing streak and may be desperate, but Bukauskas's recent form and training with top heavyweights give him the edge. He loves the -140 line but has slight pause due to Bukauskas's past bonehead mistakes.
Paul leans toward Modestas Bukauskas, citing Krylov's recent durability issues and poor form. He notes Bukauskas is a generalist who can outwork Krylov, especially if the fight goes past the first round. Paul is hesitant due to Bukauskas's wrestling vulnerability but believes Krylov's decline is real.
The MMA Guru picks Modestas Bukauskas, criticizing Nikita Krylov's charging style and chin. He notes Bukauskas's growing confidence and counter-striking ability, predicting a KO in round two after an initial scrap.
Zane agrees with Connor, emphasizing that Krylov's chin is gone and he looks like he's swimming out there. He notes that Bukauskas is peaking at 31 and has become more accurate and composed. Zane also comments on Krylov's lack of confidence and panicked starts, which Bukauskas can exploit.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 29 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Paul Craig | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 30 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 22 of 36 | 61% | 29 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:50 |
| Paul Craig | 0 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 30 of 39 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:45 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 22 of 36 | 61% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 19 |
| Paul Craig | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 22 of 36 | 61% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 6 | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 19 |
| Paul Craig | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 5 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-350); Craig (+280)
Round 1
The “featured fight of the night” slot is now occupied by a light heavyweight car crash in the form of Lithuania’s Bukauskas (18-6, 5-4 UFC) against “Bearjew” Craig (17-9-1, 1 NC; 9-9-1, 1 NC UFC). While Bukauskas celebrates a stoppage rate over 70%, Craig has still never needed the judges to get his hand raised after all these years. Referee Marc Goddard will keep things on the up-and-up here, and he stands back as the athletes come towards one another without touching gloves.
Bukauskas is able to get his hands on Craig early, scoring at the end of a left hand. Craig bounces off the fencing, and Bukauskas smacks him with a low kick. Craig whiffs on a high kick, and his calf is struck once more in response. Bukauskas charges with a flurry of punches and results in a clinch, which is where Craig would prefer to be. Bukauskas lands a few short clinch strikes, and he backs off and avoids a looping hook in time. Bukauskas goes back to his calf kick, with the two trading this particular blow until Craig spins at him with a back kick. Bukauskas skips forward to ding Craig with an overhand right, and he is driven back from a spinning kick to the ribs.
They land leg kicks on one another, and Bukauskas blocks a kick in time and is reminded of a past loss to Khalil Rountree when Craig stomps at his knee. Craig gets hold of Bukauskas and pushes him from one side of the Octagon to the other. Craig looks to trip Bukauskas up, and he tries to muscle his man down but Bukauskas is able to keep upright. Craig laces his leg between his foe’s, and he abandons the effort to knee the body a few times. Bukauskas turns him about and plants knees on his torso. Craig jumps guard, and he slides off Bukauskas and hits the ground. Bukauskas lets him hit the floor so he can rain down punches, and he elects to get into Craig’s guard. Bukauskas drums his opponent’s head off the canvas with his devastating ground-and-pound.
Craig turns to defend the strikes, and Bukauskas postures up and demolishes him with one of the most destructive elbows one could ever see or hear. The horn sounds, and Craig lifelessly slumps to his side. Goddard recognizes that Craig is out cold and waves the fight off as five minutes had elapsed.
Luckily for “Bearjew,” he is able to come to shortly thereafter, and he congratulates Bukauskas for sending him astral traveling. While Bukauskas celebrates his handiwork and calls for a top-15 opponent, Craig removes his gloves to signal his retirement, thanking everyone for the memories while noting that the young eat the old in this sport.
The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Paul Craig R1 5:00 via KO (Elbow)
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas confidently, citing his versatile striking, takedown defense, and power. He believes Bukauskas will chop down Craig's legs and avoid his submission threats. He notes Craig's poor takedown entries and mediocre striking. He was swayed by Bukauskas' hype video showing his comeback.
Big Brady picks Modestas Bukauskas, criticizing Paul Craig's recent point-fighting style. He believes Bukauskas can outstrike Craig from the outside and avoid his guard. He expects a boring decision win for Bukauskas, as Craig no longer wrestles or pulls guard effectively.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Bukauskas. He notes that Paul Craig is vulnerable everywhere—standing, on his back, and even on top—and that Bukauskas is a solid fighter who can win without engaging on the ground. He emphasizes that Craig's fragility makes him likely to get hurt in exchanges.
The host believes Bukauskas can utilize his striking advantage to keep Craig at bay, touch him up from distance, and avoid overextending to prevent takedowns. He expects Bukauskas to win on the scorecards.
The Guru picks Modestas Bukauskas, criticizing Paul Craig's lack of improvement in standup over a decade. He believes Bukauskas' pressure and straight rights will catch Craig early. He predicts a first-round TKO, noting Bukauskas' ability to cut off the cage and land devastating shots.
Zane picks Bukauskas easily, noting that Paul Craig's striking is a mess and his takedown accuracy is poor. He believes Bukauskas can keep the fight standing and hurt Craig, or take him down and control him without getting submitted. He calls the fight unnecessary but sees Bukauskas as a solid functional fighter who should win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 44 of 92 | 47% | 52 of 100 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 0 | 58 of 130 | 44% | 121 of 194 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 0 | 17 of 46 | 36% | 17 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 18 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 0 | 25 of 49 | 51% | 50 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 16 of 26 | 61% | 22 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:02 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 54 of 74 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 44 of 92 | 47% | 37 of 85 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 4 | 42 of 90 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 58 of 130 | 44% | 18 of 74 | 16 of 19 | 24 of 37 | 47 of 117 | 11 of 13 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 12 of 34 | 35% | 7 of 29 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 17 of 46 | 36% | 4 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 16 | 17 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 32 | 50% | 15 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 25 of 49 | 51% | 11 of 30 | 5 of 6 | 9 of 13 | 20 of 42 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 26 | 61% | 15 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Ion Cuțelaba | 16 of 35 | 45% | 3 of 18 | 8 of 9 | 5 of 8 | 10 of 29 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-112), Cutelaba (-108)
Round 1
Keeping to the light heavyweight division, there is a very realistic scenario that both men will hold .500 records in the Octagon if one man prevails. Bukauskas (17-6, 5-4 UFC) has done his absolute best to make up for an early rough stretch, while “The Hulk” Cutelaba (19-10-1, 1 NC; 8-9-1 UFC) is aiming to smash his way back to that midpoint range. Both men vastly prefer the knockout, but they have also sustained multiple stoppage losses of that type in the past as well. Referee Dan Miragliotta dons his proverbial hard hat as the 31-year-olds do not bother to touch gloves. Bukauskas leads off with a long, leaping jab. Cutelaba kicks him back in the front leg, doing so one more time when Bukauskas changes stances. Cutelaba keeps at it until Bukauskas fires one back at him, and it does not slow him for long. Cutelaba turns his hips into an especially heavy calf kick, and he leans back as a one-two comes up just short of his face. Bukauskas is unable to reach his foe with punches, while Cutelaba kicks him at will. Bukauskas steps in and catches Cutelaba with a left hand, and he follows with a right that “The Hulk” takes on the chin without batting an eye. Cutelaba fires back with an overhand right, and he offers a body kick and spins with a wheel kick that both bounce off the guard. Cutelaba catches Bukauskas at the end of a calf kick, and he parries a body kick and blocks a subsequent head kick. Bukauskas snaps out a jab, and he sways to avoid the worst of an overhand right. Cutelaba does not falter kicking the front leg time and time again, and they clash together with hooks that partially land. Cutelaba has a massive uppercut and right hand knock out the air around the Lithuanian, and he plants his legs and pounds on Bukauskas’ from leg. Bukauskas gets off a two-punch combo and rushes back knowing “The Hulk” is coming after him. Bukauskas chains together two one-twos that catch the Moldovan on the chin, and once more, he no-sells them and walks forward. They both miss with spinning back kicks to the body, and Cutelaba tries to corner Bukauskas with a low kick and times a left hand when Bukauskas advances. Cutelaba plants his heel on Bukauskas’ side with a spin kick, and Bukauskas tries to do something similar but cannot score it. The round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Round 2
The second round opens up with Cutelaba pressing forward, landing a few punches and mixing in kicks. The Moldovan follows the success with another blitz, backing his opponent up and drilling Bukauskas with a right hand. They crash together, and Cutelaba spins with an elbow that bangs into Bukauskas’ jaw. It is Cutelaba who goes flying after the blow lands, because he spun himself off-balance, and he recovers quickly. Cutelaba considers a level change, and he runs into a stone wall that he pushes against the fence. Cutelaba grinds his man against the fencing, offering a knee or two but otherwise stalling out. They jockey for position when in the clinch, and Miragliotta separates them. Cutelaba spins with a wheel kick out of nowhere, and both men trip and nearly go down without the strike connecting. They get back to their feet, and Cutelaba chases his man with an overhand right. When he pitches a naked leg kick, Bukauskas counters with two punches. Cutelaba sits down on a hard right hand, and Bukauskas has to blink it out but is otherwise unconcerned. Cutelaba keeps his guard up, and he rushes forward and lands a couple punches and a kick at the end. Cutelaba offers a leg kick and ducks down to fire off a right hand when he sees Bukauskas coming forward, and he throws a wheel kick so hard that he falls over when it is way out of range. Cutelaba stands, and he initiates a brawl. Bukauskas catches him and nearly gets blasted, having to circle around to regain his footing. One final brawl ensues, with Bukauskas getting the better of the final exchange before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Cutelaba
Round 3
Cutelaba is energized to start off the final frame, pushing forward immediately but not able to catch Bukauskas standing still. He settles for a few chopping calf kicks, and he shoots in for a double from afar that Bukauskas is able to defend thanks to the wall behind him. The clinch position stalls the two 205ers out, who trade occasional knees but do little more to satisfy Miragliotta. They are separated, and Cutelaba is the aggressor again. Clipping Bukauskas with a left hand, Cutelaba keeps marching forward and lashes out with a low kick that scores, and a spinning back kick that bangs into his foe’s midsection. Cutelaba stomps out with a kick to the front knee, and Bukauskas is tired of waiting and lays into “The Hulk” with a massive right hand. Cutelaba does not so much as flinch, and eats another huge punch that he once more shrugs off. Cutelaba follows his foe around the cage, and he skims a spin kick off the body and reaches at the end of a right hand. Bukauskas goes high with a kick that is blocked, and he stings Cutelaba with a check hook and forces the Moldovan to shoot in on his hips. Bukauskas stops the takedown but is otherwise pushed to the wire, where they spin one another around. They give one another knees to the guts, and Cutelaba goes for a trip that is unable to get his man down. Bukauskas pushes off and lets his hands go, only for Cutelaba to tie him back up. Miragliotta calls for action as Bukauskas leans on his opponent, and he breaks and spins with an elbow. Cutelaba busts him in the chops with a right hand, and swings for the bleachers with a few more. The final strike of the fight is a spinning kick from the Lithuanian to the midsection, and a slightly bloodied Cutelaba raises his hands to signal he thinks he won the fight. Time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)
Dayne Fox scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas (29-28 Cutelaba)
The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Ion Cutelaba via Split Decision (27-30, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas as the more technically sound and well-rounded fighter, but acknowledges Ion Cuțelaba is unpredictable and dangerous. He notes Cuțelaba has power and offensive takedowns but no takedown defense. Angelo mentions a potential bet on Cuțelaba inside the distance with decision no action, but his pick is Bukauskas. He emphasizes that picks are not bets and he wouldn't bet on Bukauskas.
Big Brady thinks Cuțelaba has multiple paths to victory: he hits harder, is more durable, and can mix in wrestling. He notes Bukauskas is chinny, hittable, and has poor takedown defense. He believes Cuțelaba's losses have come against high-level or dangerous opponents, while Bukauskas is neither. He predicts Cuțelaba wins by decision, landing bigger shots and mixing in wrestling.
The host believes Bukauskas is in the best form of his career and will thwart Cuțelaba's power striking and grappling. He expects Bukauskas to use his cardio, technical striking, and improved grappling to win on the scorecards.
The MMA Guru picks Cuțelaba as a slight underdog, citing Bukauskas' knee injury and susceptibility to pressure. He thinks Cuțelaba's wrestling and early aggression will exploit Bukauskas' compromised leg, leading to a finish in the first or second round by TKO or submission.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 1 | 16 of 41 | 39% | 16 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 16 of 41 | 39% | 11 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 40 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Raffael Cerqueira | 9 of 22 | 40% | 4 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 5 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
The UFC treks to Seattle for the first time since 2013, when flyweight king Demetrious Johnson put his belt on the line against John Moraga. The sport never stops moving, and none of the 24 fighters on the lineup of that event will be competing tonight at UFC Fight Night 252. The matchmakers put together a show that even with a ton of injuries and changeups, it has the potential to be hot fire, just like Dylan. A pair of light heavyweight sluggers grace the cage first, and with 22 finishes across their 27 combined wins, referee Jeff Hoiby is already hyper-focused on what’s about to happen next. With a fresh look at the division after leaving the company for a pair of fights, Bukauskas (16-6, 4-4 UFC) has fared better his second time around. On the other hand, Cerqueira (11-1, 0-1 UFC) introduced himself to the masses in October and had his block knocked off by a man in Ibo Aslan who will be competing later. It’s likely knock out or be knocked out, but before they try for that, the fighters bump fists. Bukauskas introduces himself with an axe kick of all strikes, and the Brazilian is well away from him as he watches it go wide. Bukauskas walks his man down and busts him in the chops with a right hand and a left, and Cerqueira bounces off the cage wall and sets up a body kick. Bukauskas reaches with a long right hand, and he paws out with a front kick and a low kick. Cerqueira strikes back at the lead leg, but he leaves himself over for an overhand right that skims the forward bow. Bukauskas turns his hips into a low kick, and this time it is him who is wide-open for a one-two down the pipe. Bukauskas targets the pectoral with a right hand, only to get his chin checked with another clean one-two. Cerqueira loads up on a power punch and gets the attention of “The Baltic Gladiator,” but he also gets tagged on the way out. Bukauskas strides forward, fired up and ready to go, and he unleashes a flurry of fists that crash into the chin of “The Lion.” Cerqueira’s eyes go wide as he is surprised he got clipped, and he backs towards the wall in hopes of getting his balance.
This is the worst thing he can do, as he leans back and has his chin straight up in the air. Bukauskas does not let his man off the hook, blasting him in the face with powerful punches that shake the Brazilian up and separate him from his senses. Cerqueira crumbles to the floor, lights on but no one is home, and Hoiby rushes in to stop the fight.
The victorious Lithuanian walks off triumphantly and hits a picture-perfect back flip to further wow the masses. That is one heck of a way to start the night, as the crowd goes wild.
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The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Raffael Cerqueira R1 2:12 via KO (Punches)
Angelo picks Bukauskas but is hesitant because he sees Cerqueira as dangerous and unproven. He notes Bukauskas has been knocked out four times and had trouble with Marcin Prachnio, while Cerqueira has 10 stoppages in 11 wins but was knocked out in his UFC debut. He says there's no world where he bets on Bukauskas at -350 and will leave this fight alone.
Big Brady picks Raffael Cerqueira despite being a complete unknown with only two fights available to watch. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas is low-volume, lacks power, and has never looked like a -310 favorite against anyone. He believes Cerqueira has a significant advantage on the ground as a BJJ black belt training with Guto Almeida, and that Bukauskas's technical striking advantage is negated by his low output. He calls this a '100% gambler fight' and picks Cerqueira by knockout, though he admits the fight is awful.
The host believes the line is too wide but expects Bukauskas's striking style to shut down Cerqueira's BJJ and Muay Thai. He predicts Bukauskas will chip away and win on the scorecards.
The Guru dismisses Raffael Cerqueira after his poor debut where he covered up and accepted defeat. He believes Bukauskas is more technical, matches in size and athleticism, and is a real fighter. He refuses to pick Cerqueira again, calling him a non-fighter who fought weak regional competition.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 38 of 76 | 50% | 56 of 101 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 5:31 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 0 | 70 of 139 | 50% | 120 of 200 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 19 of 39 | 48% | 19 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:24 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 0 | 26 of 61 | 42% | 35 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 21 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 0 | 34 of 58 | 58% | 67 of 98 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 16 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 38 of 76 | 50% | 28 of 64 | 7 of 9 | 3 of 3 | 29 of 62 | 3 of 7 | 6 of 7 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 70 of 139 | 50% | 19 of 74 | 31 of 44 | 20 of 21 | 58 of 123 | 12 of 16 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 19 of 39 | 48% | 12 of 31 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 36 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 26 of 61 | 42% | 2 of 29 | 10 of 17 | 14 of 15 | 25 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Modestas Bukauskas | 17 of 31 | 54% | 14 of 27 | 2 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 22 | 2 of 4 | 4 of 5 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 34 of 58 | 58% | 8 of 26 | 20 of 26 | 6 of 6 | 23 of 44 | 11 of 14 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Modestas Bukauskas | 2 of 6 | 33% | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Marcin Prachnio | 10 of 20 | 50% | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Bukauskas (-155), Prachnio (+130)
Round 1
When the dust settles between these light heavyweights, one of them will reach the .500 mark on their UFC ledger while the other will fall two wins beneath it. Bukauskas (15-6, 3-4 UFC) is trying to build up his resume on his second stint with the promotion, while Prachnio (17-7, 4-5 UFC) wants to disappoint home fans by beating the fighter training in England. With similar finish rates of 73% and 71%, respectively, they might need to involve referee Marc Goddard before the final horn. The 205ers touch ‘em up, and Prachnio introduces himself with a trio of leg kicks. Bukauskas swings back with a looping right hand, but his foe is out of range. Prachnio sweeps the leg, or at least tries to, but his second kick nearly buckles Bukauskas’ knee on the inside. Bukauskas times a hard left hand when Prachnio sells out on a low kick, and he leans back to watch a side kick to the face come up short. Prachnio continues working the front leg no matter the stance, and he pushes off to disallow Bukauskas from reaching him with two hooks. Bukauskas sits down on a left hand, getting Prachnio’s attention, and Prachnio gathers himself and keeps on chopping down the tree. Bukauskas loops a left around the guard, and he kicks a ducking Prachnio in the face. They clash together, and Prachnio stumbles before recovering. Prachnio tries to land a spinning wheel kick that ends up bouncing off the guard, and he peppers the front leg and thigh with kicks. Prachnio winds up and drills Bukauskas with a massive right hand, and Bukauskas eats it like a bowl of kugelis. Prachnio races forward throwing a kick, and Bukauskas grabs hold of him and turns him to the fencing. On the break, the Lithuanian dings Prachnio with a spinning elbow, but Prachnio appears unconcerned. Bukauskas races forward throwing hands, and a right hand careens off the temple and wobbles Prachnio. Bukauskas unleashes a salvo of vicious punches, but Prachnio is able to rebound off the fenced and get his footing. Prachnio chips at the front leg, and he lumbers forward throwing inaccurate punches. Bukauskas switches stances frequently, and he beans Prachnio with a huge right hand. Prachnio goes after another spinning wheel kick that is a long way away, and Bukauskas stays composed until he throws a bit too hard, and gets caught with a counter on the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Round 2
The two touch gloves and go right into a brawl, winging power hooks with no concern of defense. They backpedal momentarily, and Prachnio scores a leg kick and connects with an overhand right. Prachnio kicks low a few times before going high, and Bukauskas blocks the head kick but eats a body kick that follows. Prachnio gets into range and is met with a pair of hooks, and he takes a few steps back to kick the front leg. Prachnio lunges and gets countered, but he ends with a body kick. The low kicks of the Polish fighter are starting to compromise Bukauskas, but Prachnio decides to throw caution to the wind and whiff with a comical windmilling right hand that is feet off the mark. Prachnio takes a moment to stop fighting so recklessly, and Bukauskas uses the moment to belt Prachnio with a handful of punches that rock Prachnio. In the ensuing melee, Bukauskas absorbs a flush head kick in close range and gets his bell rung, and he has no choice but to back off as he was in trouble too. Both fighters wobbled and hurt, they end up clinching, with Bukauskas pressing Prachnio against the wire. Bukauskas drops to his knees for a takedown, and Prachnio stands him up and knees him in the gut to break. Prachnio doubles up on the knee when he gets in close, and Bukauskas backs off and smacks him with a left hand. A body lock takedown from Bukauskas succeeds in planting Prachnio on his back, and Prachnio grabs hold of the fence for several seconds and does not let it go as Goddard watches on without saying anything. Bukauskas moves to half guard, and Prachnio lets go so he can block his face but ultimately takes several elbows off the dome. Bukauskas walks right into side control and threatens briefly with a kimura, but lets it go so he can knee Prachnio in the side and elbow him as well. Prachnio briefly drags Bukauskas back to his guard, but Bukauskas easily gest back to half guard. Prachnio wall-walks to get back up, and they dirty box in the clinch until the violent round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Prachnio
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Round 3
Gloves are touched, and fists immediately fly. Prachnio elects to go out swinging, and he pummels the Lithuanian with a flurry of fierce punches that knock him back to the fencing. Bukauskas takes advantage of Prachnio’s momentum and hits a body lock trip to redeposit Prachnio flat on his back. Bukauskas moves to half guard to control his opponent, and he lands short shots to stay busy. Goddard warns Prachnio for punches that wrap around to the back of the head, and Bukauskas ignores them while maintaining controlling posture. Goddard asks for more work, and Bukauskas keeps on slowly working from above while not attempting many fight-ending strikes.
Bukauskas sits up to drive two elbows home before leaning down with an arm-triangle choke position. Bukauskas lowers himself flat to smother his opponent while clutching the submission grip tight, and he is on the wrong side but does not seem to care. Bukauskas remains flat and crushes down on his adversary, and even out of position he squeezes with all his might. Prachnio cannot hang on any longer, and he taps out.
Prachnio thinks about standing up after the fight's conclusion, but he does not have the energy to do it. Meanwhile, the victorious Lithuanian hits a back flip to show he still has something left in the tank.
The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Marcin Prachnio R3 3:12 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Modestas Bukauskas, citing his youth and well-roundedness. He notes that Prachnio has power but is chinny and can be knockout or bust. Angelo expects Bukauskas to win and hopes for an over 1.5 rounds line to bet on.
Cody picks Marcin Prachnio, citing his volume striking and improved cardio. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas has low output and has looked unimpressive in his UFC return, with close fights against lower-level competition. Cody believes Prachnio's pressure and output will overwhelm Bukauskas, and that he can win by decision or even knockout.
Daniel thinks Marcin Prachnio has a higher work rate and will outwork Modestas Bukauskas. He notes both have poor chins but Prachnio pushes a higher pace. He picks the underdog Prachnio.
Paul leans towards Prachnio, noting that Bukauskas has low volume and no real power. He believes Prachnio's volume advantage (5.61 significant strikes per minute vs 3.28) will be key, and that the fight likely goes to a decision where Prachnio edges it. However, he is not fully confident and may pass on betting.
The MMA Guru picks Marcin Prachnio as an underdog, citing Prachnio's better technical striking and leg-kicking ability. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas lacks finishing potential and a strong grappling game, often letting fights go to split decisions. Prachnio is known for chewing up opponents' legs, and Bukauskas has a history of leg injuries. The Guru also questions Bukauskas's training camp with heavyweights, suggesting it may not be ideal for this matchup.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitor Petrino | 1 | 8 of 26 | 30% | 14 of 34 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:19 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitor Petrino | 0 | 6 of 21 | 28% | 12 of 29 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 5 of 12 | 41% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Vitor Petrino | 1 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitor Petrino | 8 of 26 | 30% | 6 of 23 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 9 of 19 | 47% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 9 of 19 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vitor Petrino | 6 of 21 | 28% | 4 of 18 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 5 of 12 | 41% | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Vitor Petrino | 2 of 5 | 40% | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Modestas Bukauskas | 4 of 7 | 57% | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Petrino (-218), Bukauskas (+180)
Round 1
The second of three undefeated Brazilians on the card takes center stage next, as Petrino (9-0, 2-0 UFC) aims to pick up his 10th win as a pro at the expense of Bukauskas (15-5, 3-3 UFC). Fists and feet are sure to fly shortly between these two light heavyweights, but before they do, referee Marc Goddard has to clock them in. A brief tap of the gloves leads to a faked kick from Bukauskas, who looks for his range and manages to plant his shin on Petrino’s calf early. Bukauskas fires off a head kick to follow, and Petrino’s guard is up well in time to defend. Bukauskas comes up short with another high kick, and he parries a jab and whiffs with a low kick. Bukauskas protects his face from an oncoming head kick, and he pokes at the lead calf. Petrino paws out a jab and absorbs a thumping calf kick, and he tosses another high kick that does not find its target. Jabs are attempted from both sides, and Bukauskas reaches out with a left hook and blocks a kick aimed at his temple. Petrino doubles up on a jab and fires off a left hook that grazes the hair, and they reset with a jab from both men. Petrino sneaks in a jab, and he takes a calf kick and attempts a takedown. When he trips Bukauskas up, the Brazilian elects to lift Bukauskas in the air and slam him down with a powerbomb seen in the professional wrestling circuits. When Bukauskas looks to scramble, Petrino continues maintaining top position while shifting into half guard. Bukauskas defends himself from any ground-and-pound by hanging onto Petrino’s forearms, and the subsequent inactivity prompts Goddard to issue a warning. Petrino scores a pair of punches, and Bukauskas bucks off and starts striking back. A few more short punches from Petrino end the low-paced frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petrino
J.L. Kirven scores the round: 10-9 Petrino
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Petrino
Round 2
The light heavyweights touch gloves, and Goddard steps in 15 seconds into the round to command that Bukauskas get his mouthpiece replaced, and that the commission get it together. When they resume after the awkward pause, both men go for big strikes, and they partially connect.
Bukauskas looks to settle down with a jab, and as soon as he sits down on it, Petrino slides to the side and uncorks a short but lethal left hook that completely flatlines Bukauskas. The back of Bukauskas’ head clatters off the floor as his eyes roll back, and an attentive Goddard leaps in before Petrino can clobber him with any additional strikes.
Bukauskas tries to get back to his feet and motion that he was just flash knocked down, but he needs help standing up as commission and medical officials rush to his aid. This is a massive victory for the still-undefeated Petrino, who has performed finishes in eight of his 10 pro wins to date.
The Official Result
Vitor Petrino def. Modestas Bukauskas R2 1:03 via KO (Punch)
Angelo picks Petrino but is not super confident. He notes Petrino is dangerous with power and athleticism, but can be sloppy and dropped. Bukauskas is a good striker with decent takedown defense. Angelo thinks Petrino's relentless aggression will win him the fight, but he leaves Petrino out of parlays because Bukauskas could play spoiler at plus money.
Big Brady picks Vitor Petrino to win by knockout in the second round. He criticizes Bukauskas as a boring point fighter and praises Petrino's evolving skillset, including takedowns and cardio. He believes Petrino can win by any method but prefers the knockout. He notes Petrino's physical strength and ability to go 15 minutes.
Daniel Levi picks Vitor Petrino, describing him as a physical freak with one-punch knockout power, strong wrestling, and submission skills. He notes that Petrino is still evolving and should be able to steamroll Bukauskas. Levi points out Bukauskas' poor striking defense, with his chin often in the air, and his history of being knocked out. He sees Bukauskas as a low-volume kickboxer who can be overwhelmed. Levi expects Petrino to finish the fight, possibly in the second round.
James is quite confident in Petrino, stating he has all the upside in every aspect of the fight: knockout, submission, and decision. He believes Petrino deserves to be a big favorite and that Bukauskas' only path to victory is if Petrino gasses or if it becomes a low-volume point striking affair, which he does not see happening. He does not specify a method of victory but is confident Petrino gets the win.
Petrino has shown a solid gas tank for light heavyweight and is working on his jiu-jitsu, as seen in his last fight. He has speed, power, and explosiveness that will trouble Bukauskas. Petrino can either knock him out or use his grappling advantage to take him down and grind him out. The -200 range is a good spot to jump in.
The MMA Guru picks Modestas Bukauskas as an underdog over Vitor Petrino. He highlights Bukauskas' experience and reach advantage, and notes his impressive performance against Tyson Pedro on short notice. The Guru believes Bukauskas is underrated and that Petrino may struggle with the reach and stand-up. He also mentions Bukauskas was arguably robbed against Marcin Prachnio. The Guru likes Bukauskas' odds.
Andreas Michailidis - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinat Fakhretdinov | 0 | 45 of 61 | 73% | 106 of 130 | 5 of 10 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 13:00 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 18 of 33 | 54% | 48 of 65 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:39 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 0 | 17 of 25 | 68% | 33 of 42 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:53 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 12 of 17 | 70% | 24 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:24 | |
| 2 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 0 | 5 of 8 | 62% | 31 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:35 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 16 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:11 | |
| 3 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 0 | 23 of 28 | 82% | 42 of 51 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 4:32 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 4 of 12 | 33% | 8 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rinat Fakhretdinov | 45 of 61 | 73% | 27 of 41 | 10 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 10 of 20 | 18 of 22 | 17 of 19 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 18 of 33 | 54% | 7 of 22 | 5 of 5 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 22 | 7 of 9 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 17 of 25 | 68% | 7 of 14 | 5 of 6 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 7 | 14 of 17 | 1 of 1 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 12 of 17 | 70% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 6 of 8 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 5 of 8 | 62% | 4 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 4 of 4 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | 23 of 28 | 82% | 16 of 21 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 8 of 10 | 3 of 4 | 12 of 14 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 4 of 12 | 33% | 0 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo notes that Andreas Michailidis is a decent striker with power but leaves openings, while Rinat Fakhretdinov is a wrestler with heavy hands making his UFC debut. He acknowledges Fakhretdinov's poor wrestling technique but says it works in fights. He worries about the -321 odds for a debutant but still picks Fakhretdinov to get the takedown and pound away.
Big Brady picks Rinat Fakhretdinov to win by late finish, specifically a third-round submission or ground-and-pound. He notes that Fakhretdinov is a solid grappler with good cardio and ground game, while Michailidis is talented but has terrible cardio and tends to fade after the first round. He expects Fakhretdinov to take the fight to the mat and wear Michailidis down, eventually finishing him. He is not betting this fight due to the -260 price but likes the pick.
Cody is uncertain but leans toward Michailidis, noting Fakhretdinov's questionable competition and Michailidis' size at 170. He thinks the line is too wide and may take the dog, but is not confident.
Daniel Levi picks Rinat Fakhretdinov, noting Michailidis's history of being finished and his cardio issues. He believes Fakhretdinov has the power and pressure to get the job done, especially with his training at American Top Team. He recommends the inside distance prop at -110 as a better bet than the moneyline.
Paul picks Michailidis as an underdog, arguing that Fakhretdinov's record is padded with cans and he lacks wrestling. He notes Michailidis' size advantage at 170 and thinks the price is too wide. He is not highly confident but sees value.
The MMA Guru picks Rinat Fakhretdinov to win by first-round KO. He notes Fakhretdinov has stepped up against decent competition recently, with first-round finishes over Eric Spicely and Alberto Uda. He worries about early career padding but trusts his recent performances. He sees Michailidis as vulnerable, having been finished in four of five losses, and believes Fakhretdinov's power and grappling will be too much. He predicts a first-round KO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | 1 | 11 of 18 | 61% | 25 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 3 of 11 | 27% | 11 of 19 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:59 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Pereira | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 23 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 11 of 18 | 2 of 7 | 28% | 0 | 0 | 3:59 | |
| 2 | Alex Pereira | 1 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alex Pereira | 11 of 18 | 61% | 4 of 10 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 9 | 6 of 7 | 1 of 2 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 3 of 11 | 27% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 5 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alex Pereira | 9 of 14 | 64% | 2 of 6 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 3 of 7 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 6 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Alex Pereira | 2 of 4 | 50% | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
After a lengthy preliminary series, the headliner of the prelims is upon us when former two-division Glory kickboxing champ Pereira (3-1, 0-0 UFC) makes his UFC debut against the hard-nosed Greek striker known as “Spartan” Michailidis (13-4, 1-1 UFC). Referee Dan Miragliotta is ready for however this battle shakes out, and the gloves do not get touched before they swing for the fences. Pereira opens up with a leg kick, and he bounces around light on his feet and is well out of the way when Michailidis kicks at him. Pereira aims another leg kick, and once more evades a retaliatory kick. Pereira unloads a quick one-two, and when this comes up short, Michailidis ducks down for a takedown try. The Brazilian stands tall against the fence, but his opponent redoubles his effort and hits the single he is looking for to put the kickboxer on his back. Pereira is quick to move himself towards the wall, and when he gets to his knees and on his feet, Michailidis grinds on him with his full body weight before wrestling him back down to a knee. Michailidis has a hook in around Pereira’s back, pressing down and keeping Pereira from any range striking. Pereira looks frustrated as he is getting grinded out in this posture, and Michailidis hangs on for dear life when Pereira stands back up. Pereira uses a two-on-one wrist lock to turn Michailidis around, and the Greek fighter elects to keep chest pressure to mash Pereira into the wire. While keeping to his feet, Pereira gets a little space to land short punches on the jaw, and a knee for good measure, but Michailidis clings to him until Miragliotta breaks them apart. Pereira goes after a one-two, and Michailidis immediately dives into a body lock to bully Pereira into the fence. Pereira tries to throw hands to stop this from succeeding, but his Greek adversary fights smartly and holds on. Michailidis gets away with a few fence grabs to pin Pereira to the cage wall, and he holds on right to the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Michailidis
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Michailidis
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Michailidis
Round 2
The fighters are amped up to start the second round, and Pereira fires off a high kick to start things off. Michailidis blocks it, and Pereira takes a step back to find the right angle.
“Poatan” leaps forward with a flying knee that gives Jason Wilnis flashbacks (check their Glory kickboxing match) and it collides squarely into Michailidis’ jaw. Michailidis falls lifelessly to his back, with the back of his head bouncing off the ground. The Brazilian newcomer believes his work here is done, and he briefly walks off to celebrate. Despite the attempted walk-off, because Michailidis sits up and may have woken himself up when his head hit the ground, Miragliotta decides not to call it yet. Pereira strides over and lords over his fallen foe to deliver a pair of punctuating punches to finally force referee intervention.
What a knockout from the former kickboxing champion, capping off a violent preliminary card with style points.
The Official Result
Alex Pereira def. Andreas Michailidis R2 0:18 via TKO (Flying Knee and Punches)
Angelo picks Alex Pereira, citing his high-level kickboxing, power, and takedown defense vouched for by Dan. He notes that Pereira has been training with Glover Teixeira and that Dan felt his takedown defense firsthand. He believes Michailidis's looping strikes will leave openings for Pereira to exploit. He expects Pereira to win via knockout or decision.
Big Brady picks Alex Pereira to win by first-round knockout. He notes Pereira's phenomenal striking and power, while Michailidis has been knocked out four times and has poor cardio. Brady acknowledges Michailidis could win by submission if he gets Pereira down, but believes Pereira's takedown defense is suspect but will likely knock Michailidis out early. He will not lay the juice on Pereira due to the submission risk.
Cody picks Pereira, emphasizing his high-level kickboxing and power. He notes Michailidis's lack of wrestling and tendency to stand, which is dangerous against Pereira. He warns about Pereira's inexperience in MMA but believes the UFC set this up for a highlight-reel KO.
Daniel Levi picks Alex Pereira as one of the locks of the card, expecting a vicious first-round knockout. He highlights Pereira's elite kickboxing credentials, including two wins over Israel Adesanya, and his devastating left hook. Levi notes that Michailidis is aggressive early but fades, and that Pereira has been training with Glover Teixeira for years to patch his grappling holes. He believes Michailidis will try to take Pereira down but will get knocked out if he stands.
Jacob agrees with Angelo, picking Alex Pereira. He mentions Pereira's knockout of Israel Adesanya in kickboxing and notes that Michailidis did not look impressive against KB Buller. He believes Pereira's striking will be too much, though he warns that Pereira might get overconfident with his hands down. He expects Pereira to dominate.
The host is confident Pereira wins by first-round knockout, citing his power, reach advantage, and counter-striking. He expects Michailidis to walk into a knockout. He bet Pereira inside the distance at +110.
Paul expects Pereira to win by KO, noting Michailidis's tendency to stand and trade, which plays into Pereira's strengths. He mentions Pereira's kickboxing pedigree and power, and doubts Michailidis's wrestling ability. He sees this as a showcase fight for Pereira.
The Guru picks Andreas Michailidis, believing his grappling will be the difference. He notes Michailidis' takedown and ground control against KB Bhullar, and criticizes Pereira's lack of consistent MMA training, having focused on kickboxing. The Guru predicts a first-round rear-naked choke submission for Michailidis.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 73 of 137 | 53% | 75 of 139 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:59 |
| KB Bhullar | 0 | 70 of 131 | 53% | 71 of 132 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 28 of 43 | 65% | 30 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:55 |
| KB Bhullar | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 11 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 | |
| 2 | Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 26 of 48 | 54% | 26 of 48 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| KB Bhullar | 0 | 23 of 49 | 46% | 23 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 19 of 46 | 41% | 19 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| KB Bhullar | 0 | 37 of 62 | 59% | 37 of 62 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andreas Michailidis | 73 of 137 | 53% | 46 of 107 | 19 of 22 | 8 of 8 | 66 of 129 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 4 |
| KB Bhullar | 70 of 131 | 53% | 5 of 44 | 12 of 19 | 53 of 68 | 69 of 130 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andreas Michailidis | 28 of 43 | 65% | 21 of 36 | 5 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 36 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 4 |
| KB Bhullar | 10 of 20 | 50% | 0 of 8 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 19 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andreas Michailidis | 26 of 48 | 54% | 16 of 37 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 2 | 25 of 47 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| KB Bhullar | 23 of 49 | 46% | 4 of 22 | 4 of 6 | 15 of 21 | 23 of 49 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andreas Michailidis | 19 of 46 | 41% | 9 of 34 | 6 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 46 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| KB Bhullar | 37 of 62 | 59% | 1 of 14 | 4 of 7 | 32 of 41 | 37 of 62 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Big Brady picks Andreas Michailidis to win by first-round knockout. He notes that Michailidis is a dangerous finisher with 91% of wins by finish, while Bhullar looked terrible in his UFC debut with poor striking defense. Brady likes the under 2.5 rounds as a bet, expecting violence in the small cage. He mentions Bhullar's unknown factor but believes Michailidis's experience and finishing ability will prevail.
Cody picks Michailidis, noting that he looked okay in his debut despite a controversial stoppage. He points out that Bhullar is a thinking man who took a five-year layoff after seeing a teammate get hurt, and that he was starched by a jab from Tom Breese. He thinks Michailidis has better striking and grappling, and that Bhullar lacks the power to put him away. He expects Michailidis to chew him up from the outside. However, he dislikes the -230 price and notes that Michailidis is moving down from 205, so he advises watching the weigh-ins.
Daniel Levi picks Andreas Michailidis to win, citing his size, technique, and the fact that KB Bhullar is not UFC caliber. He acknowledges Michailidis's front-running style and tendency to fade, but believes Bhullar is an opponent he can style on. Levi also notes that Bhullar's only win was against a low-level opponent.
The host picks Michailidis, citing his aggressive style and better level of competition. He notes that Bhullar's only UFC fight was a loss to Tom Breese, and that Michailidis has shown ability to close distance and land shots. He expects Michailidis to break Bhullar and finish him in the second round.
Paul agrees with Cody, noting that Bhullar's layoff and lack of high-level competition are concerns. He mentions that Bhullar got knocked out by a jab in his UFC debut. He thinks Michailidis has a grappling background and has improved his striking. He expects Michailidis to win but does not love the price. He also notes that Michailidis is dropping from 205 to 185, which could be a factor.
The MMA Guru picks Andreas Michailidis over KB Bhullar, expressing distrust in Bhullar's record and performance after his first-round TKO loss to Tom Breese. He notes that Michailidis' loss to Modestas Bukauskas was controversial due to illegal strikes and a strange stoppage, and he trusts Michailidis' resume and ability. He predicts Michailidis will win a unanimous decision by grinding against the cage and winning striking exchanges.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 0 | 18 of 49 | 36% | 18 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 0 | 23 of 46 | 50% | 23 of 46 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:09 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Modestas Bukauskas | 18 of 49 | 36% | 11 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 42 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 23 of 46 | 50% | 8 of 26 | 7 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Modestas Bukauskas | 18 of 49 | 36% | 11 of 40 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 42 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Andreas Michailidis | 23 of 46 | 50% | 8 of 26 | 7 of 11 | 8 of 9 | 23 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
In the heaviest bout of the night, two European newcomers square off as Lithuanian native Bukauskas (10-2, 0-0 UFC) takes on Greece’s Michailidis (12-3, 0-0 UFC) at light heavyweight. Holding on tight for this bout between two men that combine for 20 finishes in 22 wins is referee Dan Movahedi, and the two fighters decide not to touch ‘em up before throwing down. Michailidis opens up with a body kick, and he takes a low kick but fires one right back. Michailidis attempts a front kick to the knee, and avoids a one-two that comes across the forward bow by sticking out a front kick. The Greek fighter fires out another low kick, and blocks a low kick to throw hard over the top. Bukauskas nearly lands a right hand, and takes another slapping leg kick as he bounces around. Michailidis paws out a few lefts before committing with a right hand to the body, and then kicks the same target hard. Bukauskas kicks up high to make Michailidis spin around, and then goes low when his opponent is not paying attention. Michailidis blasts him back with a low kick on the calf, and his opponent shows some damage from that. Bukauskas delivers a hard body kick, and Michailidis tries to come back with his own and a one-two to follow. Michailidis slaps hard another low kick home, and catches Bukauskas coming in with a right hook. Michailidis lands a body kick, and his opponent comes back at him firing. Michailidis drops to a knee, not likely because of damage but because of a slip. Bukauskas tries to triple up with lefts, and as Michailidis blocks them, he lands a hard left that stuns “The Baltic Gladiator.” Bukauskas comes in with a few lefts, and his opponent blocks them but runs into the fence and can backpedal no longer, so he eats a left. Michailidis lands two hooks, and on the way out, Bukauskas scores a calf kick. Bukauskas goes up high with a kick that gets blocked, and Michailidis tries to shoot in for a takedown.
The Lithuanian fighter slams a few elbows to the side and possibly back of the head as the horn sounds, in an attack reminiscent of Travis Browne vs. Josh Barnett, and Michailidis drops to his knees and holds the back of his head. This fight might be in jeopardy, as Michailidis is in a bad way. Michailidis slumps over and nearly falls out of the cage when the door opens, leading Movahedi to call the fight,
and we may have a difficult ruling ahead. After brief deliberation, it appears that the strikes were legal and to the side of the head. Since Michailidis cannot get back to his stool, Bukauskas is the unexpected winner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Bukauskas
The Official Result
Modestas Bukauskas def. Andreas Michailidis R1 5:00 via TKO (Elbows)
Big Brady picks Modestas Bukauskas but is not confident. He notes Michailidis is coming up a weight class on short notice, which is a big disadvantage. He thinks Michailidis is the more talented fighter and dangerous early, but his cardio is poor. He predicts Bukauskas will weather the storm and finish in the third round.
Daniel Levi picks Modestas Bukauskas, noting his karate style and ability to pop back up from takedowns. He believes Andreas Michailidis goes super hard in the first round but fades, and that Bukauskas will come back to knock him out in the second or third round.
The Guru picks Andreas Michailidis based on his slightly better competition and experience. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas has lost to some questionable opponents (one with a 5-11 record). Michailidis is older, similar size, and a scrapper. The Guru believes Michailidis gets the job done due to more seasoned opposition.
Expert Picks (3)
Big Brady picks Modestas Bukauskas but is not confident. He notes Michailidis is coming up a weight class on short notice, which is a big disadvantage. He thinks Michailidis is the more talented fighter and dangerous early, but his cardio is poor. He predicts Bukauskas will weather the storm and finish in the third round.
Daniel Levi picks Modestas Bukauskas, noting his karate style and ability to pop back up from takedowns. He believes Andreas Michailidis goes super hard in the first round but fades, and that Bukauskas will come back to knock him out in the second or third round.
The Guru picks Andreas Michailidis based on his slightly better competition and experience. He notes that Modestas Bukauskas has lost to some questionable opponents (one with a 5-11 record). Michailidis is older, similar size, and a scrapper. The Guru believes Michailidis gets the job done due to more seasoned opposition.
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