Cage Warriors light heavyweight champ Modestas Bukauskas signs with UFC

The UFC has added another top European prospect to its roster.

Cage Warriors light heavyweight champion Modestas Bukauskas announced on social media Thursday he has signed with the UFC. He is the UFC’s second recent 205-pound signing from Europe, joining the Czech Republic’s Jiri Prochazka, RIZIN’s light heavyweight champ.

“They say dreams come true, if you work hard, stay the course, and never give up. Ever since I started MMA, it has always been the dream of my father @gintas50 and I, to sign with the UFC (best MMA organisation in the world) and compete against THE BEST fighters in the world. After much adversity, a rollercoaster of events/emotion, and a ton of hours in the gym, I am pleased to announce that just a few days ago, We signed a contract with the @ufc @ufceurope, the DREAM has become REALITY!! What a way to start 2020, I want to give a special thanks to my management @iridiumsportsagency @iridiumsports @jacobparga @ed.kapp for their absolutely incredible work and countless hours of dedication to get me to this point in my career. The best thing about my management, is that I can truly say they are FAMILY, and cannot wait to make them all proud !! Another massive thanks goes out to all my training partners, sponsors and everyone that has helped me achieve everything I have done!! Without you guys I could not have done it !!! I have the best team around me and I am forever grateful !!! The amount of love I have for you all is insane and we are ALL going to come up and make it to the top TOGETHER !!! The journey has only just begun, we are just getting warmed up !!! Time to cement our legacy in the history books!! My name will forever be known as the very first Lithuanian born athlete to sign with the UFC. There are New goals and milestones to reach, and I cannot wait for the journey and the road ahead …. WATCH OUT CAUSE WE ARE COMING TO TAKEOVER !!!”

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They say dreams come true, if you work hard, stay the course, and never give up. Ever since I started MMA, it has always been the dream of my father @gintas50 and I, to sign with the UFC (best MMA organisation in the world) and compete against THE BEST fighters in the world. After much adversity, a rollercoaster of events/emotion, and a ton of hours in the gym, I am pleased to announce that just a few days ago, We signed a contract with the @ufc @ufceurope, the DREAM has become REALITY!! What a way to start 2020, I want to give a special thanks to my management @iridiumsportsagency @iridiumsports @jacobparga @ed.kapp for their absolutely incredible work and countless hours of dedication to get me to this point in my career. The best thing about my management, is that I can truly say they are FAMILY, and cannot wait to make them all proud !! Another massive thanks goes out to all my training partners, sponsors and everyone that has helped me achieve everything I have done!! Without you guys I could not have done it !!! I have the best team around me and I am forever grateful !!! The amount of love I have for you all is insane and we are ALL going to come up and make it to the top TOGETHER !!! The journey has only just begun, we are just getting warmed up !!! Time to cement our legacy in the history books!! My name will forever be known as the very first Lithuanian born athlete to sign with the UFC. There are New goals and milestones to reach, and I cannot wait for the journey and the road ahead …. WATCH OUT CAUSE WE ARE COMING TO TAKEOVER !!!

A post shared by Modestas Bukauskas (@modyb24) on Jan 16, 2020 at 11:18am PST

Fighting out of England, Lithuania’s Bukauskas (10-2) is riding a six-fight winning streak with all six wins coming by stoppage. He captured the vacant 205-pound title with a fourth-round TKO over Marthin Hamlet at Cage Warriors 106 this past June. In November, he notched his first title defense with a first-round finish of Riccardo Nosiglia.

The UFC has not officially announced Bukauskas’ signing, and no first fight date or opponent is known.