Light heavyweight Rodolfo Bellato is wasting no time getting back to work.
Bellato (13-3-1), who competed earlier this month, will face Modestas Bukauskas (19-7) at UFC Vegas 117 on May 16, 2026 at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada.
News of the booking was first reported by MMA Fighting, after Bukauskas announced he’d signed a bout agreement. “The Baltic Gladiator” later confirmed the report on social media.
Brazil’s Rodolfo “Trator” Bellato turned back promotional newcomer and former CFFC champ Luke Fernandez at UFC 326 to kick off his 2026, earning a Performance of the Night bonus in the process for his TKO finish. The former LFA athlete is now 2-1-1 with one No Contest under the UFC banner.
Bukauskas is on his second run with the UFC, and saw a four-fight win streak snapped by Nikita Krylov back in January. Before that, he’d notched victories over Paul Craig, Ion Cutelaba and others.
The former Cage Warriors champion has had a much better run in his second UFC stint, posting a 6-2 record since returning to the organization in 2023. His first stint, from 2020 to 2021, saw him go 1-3.
UFC Vegas 117 on May 16 is set to be headlined by Arnold Allen and Melquizael Costa in a featherweight five-rounder. The following fights have been reported for the Fight Night event:
- Arnold Allen vs. Melquizael Costa
- Ketlen Vieira vs. Jacqueline Cavalcanti
- Polyana Viana vs. Alice Ardelean
- Daniel Barez vs. Luis Gurule
- Modestas Bukauskas vs. Rodolfo Bellato
