Modestas Bukauskas faced Ion Cutelaba at UFC 315, held in Montreal on May 9, 2025. This light heavyweight matchup featured Bukauskas, known as "The Baltic Gladiator," against "The Hulk," Cutelaba, in a preliminary card bout. Bukauskas entered the fight with a 4-1 record in his second UFC stint, while Cutelaba showcased momentum from an upset victory over Ibo Aslan in February, looking for his first two-fight win streak since 2018.
In Round 1, Cutelaba established his presence with a series of leg kicks, applying early pressure. Bukauskas landed a clean right hand, to which Cutelaba responded with an overhand punch. Both fighters attempted head kicks, but their efforts fell short. Cutelaba displayed a more strategic approach, setting up his power shots rather than throwing recklessly. Bukauskas countered effectively with stiff one-twos as Cutelaba threw lead hooks. Despite Cutelaba's activity, Bukauskas appeared sharper in his offensive execution. The first round ended with Bukauskas earning a 10-9 score in the eyes of some observers.
Entering Round 2, Cutelaba started strong with a solid combination. He showcased more of his explosive, action-oriented style, including a superman punch followed by a spinning elbow, though he stumbled during the latter. A clinch lasted for about a minute before the referee separated them due to inactivity. As they engaged again, Bukauskas continued to connect with punches, but Cutelaba outpaced him. In the closing moments, both fighters exchanged power shots, but Cutelaba’s overall activity swayed the judges. After two rounds, the score was tied 19-19 for many, reflecting a closely contested bout.
As they moved into Round 3, neither fighter had much experience going the distance, with only a combined 10 decisions in 53 fights. Fatigue began to show as Bukauskas and Cutelaba clinched right away. After another minute of minimal action, the referee broke them apart. Responding to urgency from his corner, Bukauskas ramped up his output, landing significant shots. After Cutelaba's unsuccessful takedown attempt, they clinched again, leading to Bukauskas throwing a flurry of strikes once they broke apart. In a dramatic finish, Bukauskas executed a spinning back kick to the body in the final seconds of the round. While commentators suggested Cutelaba was on his way to a 30-27 victory, some believed Bukauskas had done enough to secure a win, setting up a score of 29-28 for him on their scorecards.
When the official scores were announced, the decision went to Modestas Bukauskas via split decision, with scores of 27-30, 30-27, and 29-28. Following the decision, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier called the scoring "trash," while others also questioned the strange scorecards. Despite the controversy, many felt that Bukauskas deserved the victory for his performance against Cutelaba.
The official result confirmed Bukauskas’s victory, marking an important moment in his career as he continues to establish himself in the UFC's light heavyweight division.
