Light heavyweights Modestas Bukauskas and Raffael Cerqueira kicked off Saturday’s UFC Seattle Fight Night card, with Bukauskas on his second stint with the promotion, and Cerqueira entering his second fight overall in the UFC.
After losing to Ibo Aslan (also featured on the UFC Seattle card) last October, Brazil’s Cerqueira was looking for a better outcome against Bukauskas, who’d posted a 3-1 record since returning to the promotion. “The Baltic Gladiator” Bukauskas, meanwhile, was coming in off a win over Marcin Prachnio.
Bukauskas got right to work as UFC Seattle’s first fight opened, pressuring Cerqueira and forcing his to work from the outside. Bukauskas led with his hands but mixed in kicks as well, keeping Cerqueira guessing for about a minute. The Brazilian finally found a chance to answer, and soon the pair were trading some big shots at center. That wouldn’t last long – Bukauskas again pressured Cerqueira back, and connected with a left hand. Raffael Cerqueira was rocked! Bukauskas made like a shark smelling blood in the water, and piled on with lefts and rights, the cage the only thing keeping Cerqueira on his feet. And he wasn’t on his feet much longer, finally slumping down and signaling his fight was over.
Following the victory, Modestas Bukauskas told UFC analyst Michael Bisping that pressure and the left hand were a big part of his game plan for the fight.
Official Result: Modestas Bukauskas def. Raffael Cerqueira by KO, Round 1, 2:12
