03 November 2023 , 13:38
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UFC star Modestas Bukauskas has credited his father, a former Soviet Union no-holds-barred champion, for his success in the promotion.
Bukauskas, 29, is back in action on Saturday night as he takes on unbeaten Vitor Petrino in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The Lithuanian-born Brit has been accompanied by father Gintas for all of his professional fights and the martial arts expert used to compete in illegal no-holds barred competitions before the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991.
"He was the Soviet Union no-holds barred heavyweight champion back in his heyday," Bukauskas told Mirror Fighting. "I don't know a lot of them were sanctioned. From what I've seen in tapes, they used to wear the gi but it was like MMA. Their gloves looked like plastic bags and if the fight was a draw they'd have to break a certain amount of bricks.
"In one of my dad's fights, his opponent said he was going to break four bricks but broke two. My dad ended up breaking three bricks and he got to the final, but obviously, he's just broken a brick with his hand and it's all swollen. It was very violent and those were the early stages of MMA before it came mainstream, really cool times with different rules."
Modestas Bukauskas with his father Gintas (Modestas Bukauskas - Instagram (@modyb24) - https://www.instagram.com/p/ClBrIaxs0Da/)Can Modestas Bukauskas become a UFC champion? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below
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Gintas also coaches one of Bukauskas' close friends and main sparring partners Will Currie, a top Britsh prospect who is set on fighting for the UFC. Bukauskas put the Cage Warriors light-heavyweight belt around his father's shoulder when he first won the title in 2019 and he is hoping to re-create the moment by eventually capturing a UFC world title.
"He retired just when the UFC came around, that's when he stopped fighting. He was a tough motherf***** and still is, that's why he's bringing out such heaps of knowledge.
This is why we're able to adapt and overcome a lot of situations. He knows what I'm capable of and he is one of my biggest believers," Bukauskas added.
"In a way, all the success that I believe I will get is a way for me to repay him for all the years that he never stopped believing in me. When times were looking tough he always told me how talented I am and the things I can do. It pushes me to believe in myself even more and that's what brings out my best performances, having him is like having an angel on my shoulders."
Modestas Bukauskas takes on Vitor Petrino at UFC Fight Night: Almeida vs. Lewis on November 4th live on TNT Sports.