Light heavyweight Modestas Bukauskas returned to action on Friday for the first time since his UFC exit, successfully putting his injured knee to the test.
Bukauskas (12-5), whose past 10 wins have come by stoppage, recorded a unanimous decision victory with scores of 29-28, 29-28, and 30-27 over Lee Chadwick at Cage Warriors 145, marking the first decision win since his pro debut. The event took place at the Indigo at the O2 in London.
Good to have him back!!!#CW145 pic.twitter.com/ljV4C5cw8B
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) November 4, 2022
While he did not find a way to stop his opponent, this fight against Chadwick was more about getting back on track from a knee injury that led to the stoppage of his last UFC appearance.
Last September at UFC Fight Night 191, Khalil Rountree landed a nasty knee stomp to the left leg of Bukauskas, instantly folding him to the canvas, where he immediately grabbed his injured limb.
Khalil Rountree ended his fight against Modestas Bukauskas with an oblique kick. pic.twitter.com/1iGRcHmeb3
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) September 4, 2021
Over a year later, Bukauskas returned to action against Chadwick and showed little signs of lingering issues with his left leg. Throughout the fight, he repeatedly used his legs to attack, landing head kicks, leg kicks, and even a spinning back kick to the body.
Throughout the 15 minutes, the 28-year-old Lithuanian seemed comfortable in the cage, leading to his sixth victory under the Cage Warriors banner.
Bukauskas fought in the UFC on four occasions, recording a retirement stoppage over Andreas Michailidis in his debut, but went on to drop his next three outings.
