Modestas Bukauskas is still waiting for his chance to fight for the UFC on British soil – to hear the crowd loudly screaming his name. However, that won’t be this weekend. Instead, he heads to Brazil, a place long-known for their passionate home MMA fans.
Those fans won’t be loving Bukauskas as he takes on up-and-coming Brazilian prospect Vitor Petrino. This isn’t the first time he’s faced the hostility though.
“I know I’m definitely not going to be greeted with such a warm energy,” Bukauskas said. “When I went to Australia as well, although the people were lovely, they were still booing me. They were booing me when I was doing the weigh-ins. They were booing me when I walked out into the arena.”
Although it started with boos in Australia, it didn’t end that way. A exciting fight and great performance led the hometown crowd to respect the visitor. Anything is possible in MMA, but he’s not counting on that a second time necessarily.
“When I won the fight and beat their guy, they were really respectful. Will I get the same reception here if I beat their guy? Who knows?” Bukauskas said. “I feel like Australia was a small taste of what is to come. I know it’ll be amplified going to Brazil because they get behind their people.”
But regardless as to how much of a longshot it is, Bukauskas is going to give the fans what they deserve – a show. In doing so, he hopes to capture a spot in the rankings and a chance to move on up.
“It gives me more energy, because bloody hell, they really love this sport. It’s almost like a gladiator – I love that quote – ‘you win the crowd, you win your freedom,” Bukauskas said. “This is my chance to win my freedom. How am I going to win over the crowd? By putting on a spectacular performance. Go in there and take out their guy, be gracious in victory and then move on and conquer more lands.”
He’ll attempt to capture the fans and the land this Saturday on UFC Sao Paulo. His fight with Vitor Petrino will take place on the ESPN+ prelim card, which starts at 6pm EST.
