Modestas Bukauskas has taken ‘massive inspiration’ from Tom Aspinall ahead of UFC Paris.
Bukauskas faces UFC veteran Paul Craig on Saturday in the City of Lights in a fight he’s labelled as the biggest of his life.
After a rocky start to his career in Dana White‘s promotion and being cut in 2021, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ has since returned to win five of his last six fights, embarking on a three-fight winning streak in the last 14 months.
The 31-year-old Lithuania-born Brit is viewing his main card bout with Craig as a chance to break into the UFC’s light heavyweight rankings.
He is currently training with UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, and revealed in a conversation with talkSPORT.com how this has fuelled his fire ahead of UFC Paris.
“100 per cent,” Bukauskas responded when asked if training with Aspinall has directly improved him as a fighter.
“I’ve always been disciplined in terms of training, but there were times early in my career when I’d go out a little bit or drink too much.
“You realise it affects your recovery, affects your performance, it affects your mental state.
“There are so many other little bits and pieces that fit together to make the full jigsaw puzzle, and if they’re not all aligned, you’re not gonna get the masterpiece at the end of it.
“[Being with Aspinall] makes me train harder. My body shape has changed… even in my mind, I’m just way happier, more positive and more confident because I know I’ve literally done everything there is to be done.
“I’ve been taking so many notes from him, and it’s been inspiring.”
Bukauskas trains with Aspinall and a variety of MMA’s biggest stars, including Ante Delija, who is one of the many fighters making his debut at UFC Paris.
UFC Paris Main Card + Prelims
Saturday, September 6, Accor Arena
Main card
- #2 Nassourdine Imavov (16-4-0) vs. #7 Caio Borralho (17-1-0)
- #13 Benoit Saint Denis (14-3-0) vs. #15 Mauricio Ruffy (12-1-0)
- Modestas Bukauskas (18-6-0) vs. Paul Craig (17-9-1)
- Bolaji Oki (10-2-0) vs. Mason Jones (16-2-0)
- Axel Sola (10-0-1) vs. Rhys McKee (14-6-1)
- #11 Patricio Freire (37-8-0) vs. Losene Keita (16-1-0)
Prelims
- William Gomis (14-3-0) vs. Robert Ruchala (11-1-0)
- Oumar Sy (11-1-0) vs. Brendson Ribeiro (17-8-0)
- #7 Marcin Tybura (27-9-0) vs. Ante Delija (25-6-0)
- Harry Hardwick (13-3-1) vs. Kaue Fernandes (10-2-0)
- Sam Patterson (13-2-1) vs. Trey Waters (9-1-0)
- Brad Tavares (21-10-0) vs. Robert Bryczek (17-6-0)
- Andreas Gustafsson (12-2-0) vs. Rinat Fakhretdinov (23-1-1)
- Shauna Bannon (7-1-0) vs. Sam Hughes (10-6-0)
The card is headlined by a mouthwatering middleweight clash between Nassourdine Imavov and Caio Borralho.
Benoit Saint Denis and Mauricio Ruffy face off in the co-main event, while Brits Mason Jones, Sam Patterson, and Harry Hardwick also feature on the card.
Hardwick and Delija join Axel Sola, Losene Keita, and Robert Ruchala as the five fighters making their UFC debuts on Saturday.
Bukauskas said that training with names like Aspinall has provided a huge amount of confidence heading into his Paris bout.
“I take massive inspiration from it,” he told talkSPORT.com.
“There’s such a massive aura of development and improvement; everyone just wants to continually improve, get better, and it’s a proper team family spirit.
“There’s no ego in there. We’re all just trying to get better… and that vibe just makes it a very positive and happy sort of outlook in the gym.
“It just makes you want to train better. It’s absolutely amazing, I really couldn’t ask for a better team to be a part of, and they’ve helped me level up massively…
“When you’re training with a room like that, how could you not be confident?”
Discussing the influence of Aspinall, ‘The Baltic Gladiator’ added: “He’s a true champion through and through… he’s so disciplined.
“Disciplined with his diet, disciplined with his training. He’s always training.
“He’s always staying in shape. He’s always trying to do something to better himself, even just the way that he is.
“He’s a very lovely character, he’s always open to talking with everyone, he’s got a very happy demeanour all the time.
“He’s a great family man, takes care of his family to the utmost degree.
“All of these things, I take massive inspiration from… I’ve got only so many years to do it. I need to make sure I squeeze the hell out of it.
“I’ve definitely taken notes from that, and it’s made me live my life in sort of a similar record.”
UFC Paris takes place at the Accor Arena on Saturday, with the main card set to kick off at 8 pm GMT for UK fans.