00:00:00:03 – 00:00:17:21

Ola Akande:

What’s happening Fight Week Show fans? What’s happening? People salute everybody for joining us right now. And look what we have here. We have the two of five cage warriors champion, the Big Muddy. That’s what I call him, the Big Mutt. How are you doing, my brother?

00:00:18:05 – 00:00:21:19

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yes, doing very well, thank you. How you doing, mate? All good. Yeah.

00:00:21:27 – 00:00:43:06

Ola Akande:

Oh, I’m. I’m feeling. I’m feeling good having you here right now. How have you. Have you been feeling since, you know, since that New Year’s Eve fight. But it came. It came at a time where there was no me as well. So everybody was locked in on that one. How did it how did that whole situation feel for you?

00:00:43:20 – 00:01:06:09

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah, it was obviously absolutely amazing. I mean, it’s literally a frickin dream come true again, you know, to to win to win it for the second time is actually Mad I a small documentary after the fight and I wrote on my board that I would be Campbell by by Kayo and my new record would be 13 and five.

00:01:06:09 – 00:01:27:06

Modestas Bukauskas:

And you know lo and behold, everyone everything came to life. The the magic board is back. It is back in business. So, yeah, you know, I’ve, I’ve just been, you know, like I say, just slowly taking things off my white board are in our home. So yeah. Like it was and yeah, like you said, all eyes were on that particular show.

00:01:27:06 – 00:01:48:20

Modestas Bukauskas:

You know, there’s no I’m a my shows on that day. So obviously a lot of people were watching or a lot of eyes were on it, you know, got moved up to it, got bumped up to the main event as Christian Duncan went on to the UFC now so that was also another amazing thing, you know, to be, you know, the last fight of the night and yeah, like, you know what, what better result could I have asked for?

00:01:48:20 – 00:02:18:26

Modestas Bukauskas:

You know, around is essentially kind of round up. It was almost like around free because I’ve been very at the very beginning of the fourth round and you know the cornerman did an amazing job to get that finish and yeah, like I say, I’ve got back into training and you know, even as I’m up here, you know, see and see my family that I didn’t get to see during New Years, we were still we’d literally just come back from the beach through in all our beach beats training me and my dad’s.

00:02:19:02 – 00:02:30:26

Modestas Bukauskas:

I mean, the pods dude wrestling on, on, on the side. So, yeah, my, it feels amazing, but obviously, I know there’s more work to be done, but yeah, like, could couldn’t have happened any battery.

00:02:31:06 – 00:03:00:19

Ola Akande:

I mean, you said that yourself with, with the, the help that you got from your corner because you know in some of your, your post-fight interviews that I saw the amount of reference that you made to your cornermen to, to to your people that that road with you, that roadie V that stayed right there with you in the pocket while you was engaging in this fight is is tremendous amount of amount of credit, the amount of love you showed them all.

00:03:00:19 – 00:03:19:18

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah look the absolute amazing obviously first and foremost my dad, you know, without him, I wouldn’t be where I am today. So, you know, Donnie has been with me for for the majority of my career as well. And Will has actually been like a training partner of mine for a while. But we now we become even more close.

00:03:19:18 – 00:03:38:09

Modestas Bukauskas:

You know, we become a very big, you know, very good team, me and him. And he’s taught me a hell of a lot of lessons as well. And, and, you know, just everything that was said at the end of the round four is what caused that finish in round four. You know, both Donnie and my dad were telling me not to throw a big shot straight away because he was reacting very heavily to it.

00:03:38:15 – 00:03:56:00

Modestas Bukauskas:

They said, you know, I’ve set out with maybe a couple of like small feint shots and then line the big shot. Once you close the distance. And then Will was basically just telling me like, bro, you need to have a shoe on. I will fake the shot. So obviously if you hear on the video, will shouted, you know what I want You know what one.

00:03:56:08 – 00:03:57:07

Ola Akande:

Yeah so you you.

00:03:57:11 – 00:04:20:09

Modestas Bukauskas:

Shot in for the level change so I, I think the level change and obviously Campbell reacted to it quite heavily then I pushed him, I threw a fake jab which got my range and then the big shot that obviously ended up finishing the fight. And it was mad because my dad, he told me even before this fight, it goes, But this, this when you going to give me clean knockout?

00:04:21:05 – 00:04:27:25

Modestas Bukauskas:

I need clean knockout with the punches again. So you know, and I told him straight after the fight. So there you go.

00:04:27:25 – 00:04:31:24

Ola Akande:

That’s yeah, I’ll get delivered.

00:04:31:24 – 00:04:39:27

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah. Amazing quarter, guys. Amazing training partners. Obviously, I got massive, you know, I’ve got a great stable of people behind me. So. Yeah, I’m very grateful.

00:04:40:10 – 00:05:14:05

Ola Akande:

I mean, what those, those components are so, so important in, in, in moments like this, in fights like this. I mean for a fighter like yourself that that does reaching back and you know you got that from from us and the audience you know the best comeback fight of the year in our opinion. I mean some of the things that you you laid out the last time you was on the show, things that you been through, how you was down in the dumps and your dada to sluts or sends back to you for which knockout and yeah is still there.

00:05:14:06 – 00:05:41:05

Ola Akande:

We view even at the height of your you know your your best moment in taking that two of five title that you know for cage warriors and the way that everything’s planned out for you now the way that finish looks the the excitement around it surely. Sure. And what else could you do for us to come back and get you, my brother?

00:05:41:24 – 00:05:42:07

Ola Akande:

Yeah.

00:05:43:21 – 00:06:04:28

Modestas Bukauskas:

I mean, I take everything in stride. I do 100% agree with you. I believe I’m UFC ready that the, you know, the half of the fighters that have either been caught or, you know, whatever the reason they want to fight and they’ve they’ve they’ve got back in and, you know, I knew I needed to get the finish. I knew I needed to get something big.

00:06:05:10 – 00:06:30:08

Modestas Bukauskas:

And because, you know, the first fight that I had with Chadwick, I had to find my my feet in the waters of being back in fight for a big show again. So, you know, I just had to get the win. That was the main thing, which I did. But this one I knew I would listen to become a two time world champion is very rare as you do it in such a fashion is also very rare, you know, and and you know, it’s a completely put someone’s life.

00:06:30:09 – 00:06:49:15

Modestas Bukauskas:

It’s not like that. You know, it was it was something that needed to be done. I needed something to grasp their attention. And I definitely got their attention. You know, I got a cheeky follow off of of a Joe Rogan, which is like, you know, that that dude is amazing. I love watching his podcast and stuff like that.

00:06:49:15 – 00:07:10:05

Modestas Bukauskas:

What what’s, what’s a guy so obviously, you know, is nice to have guys like him watching you know as he did commentate one of my one of my UFC fights as well So you know my like I feel like I’ve like I’ve done enough, you know, and at the end of the day, you know, I know, I know.

00:07:10:05 – 00:07:31:05

Modestas Bukauskas:

Whatever the case, whatever the case is in 2023, I’ll be back in the UFC. So whatever, wherever it has to take, where I’ll get in straight away or have to defend my belt one more time, I do think. But I do think I’ve done enough to get to get saw it. But we shall see. All I’m doing is what I can do.

00:07:31:05 – 00:07:40:13

Modestas Bukauskas:

I can control everything I can control which is traded, staying ready, staying short when the call comes, I’ll be good to go. So, yeah, that’s it. Really.

00:07:40:24 – 00:07:59:28

Ola Akande:

And you’re doing you’re doing a magnificent job of just staying ready, doing what you’re doing, controlling the elements that you can control you. You’re doing a magnificent job of it. And this is not to disrespect to the title five title that you just claim in terms of defending it as well and still talking about your aspirations for UFC.

00:07:59:28 – 00:08:27:11

Ola Akande:

Because at the end of the day, you know, that’s that’s the that’s the Holy Grail for, for, for mixed martial arts fighters ever. Everybody wants to, wants to get to that promised land, especially in your case where you’ve been there before, had that little taste and you know, eventually you want to get back there, but you still you still you still have a small responsibility to that title that you’ve fallen into in terms of, you know, when if the call comes to for defending it, you’ll be also ready to make that happen.

00:08:27:21 – 00:09:01:17

Modestas Bukauskas:

100%, man. And, you know, cage warriors are treating me very well. They’ve really taken care of me. You know, they’ve they’ve got me. They’ve got me good fights along with my management as well, of course. So, you know, they’ve they’ve really stepped up since last summer. Fought for them. They’ve stepped up in sun in terms of production, they’ve stepped up in terms of their organization, which we’ve had in runners and and and, you know, people their life has felt very like even more so professional than it was before.

00:09:01:17 – 00:09:21:05

Modestas Bukauskas:

They’re they’re really doing a good job with cage warriors. So and now they’re expanding they’re going into into the US, they’re going into more places in Europe. So, you know, they’re doing an amazing job. So whether I stay or whether I go, you know, like I say, I know I’m going to be treated very well. I’d like to say I’m grateful for all the experiences that I’m having.

00:09:21:24 – 00:09:52:24

Ola Akande:

Yeah. I wanted to ask you because, you know, you just you just mentioned there about, you know, the treatment of that you’ve got from cage warriors and big, big up to them build up to that promotion that, you know, it’s it’s one of it’s one of the I would say most love promotions out here especially in the UK you know on home soil where where we get to see some of the top top fighters, you know, ply their trade and you’re one of them.

00:09:53:14 – 00:10:18:08

Ola Akande:

How has the skill level of the competition between it? What’s the difference in the skill level between competition, between UFC and Cage Warrior? Because I can’t I can’t from watching and I know you’re obviously in there. I’m fighting these people. I’m just an armchair fan. All right. But what is what’s the skill level difference? I can’t imagine it.

00:10:18:15 – 00:10:19:05

Ola Akande:

It’s that much.

00:10:19:22 – 00:10:45:00

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah, it’s it’s really not. I mean, if you look at the guys I’ve fought before most paycheck who’s now gone to the pay. So I mean same with Marvin Hagler again going to go into the PSL, you know noisily I was close to to beat and a guy who’s now in the UFC, you know so it’s like you know the level that Lee Chadwick has fought some of the top level competition in the world.

00:10:45:11 – 00:11:06:02

Modestas Bukauskas:

You know, Chuck Campbell was a highly two the prospect out of the out of the US. So I’m you know I’m fighting you know very good guys and obviously there are also going to be very very good guys in the UFC I think skillset. I’ve always said that I don’t feel I definitely feel that I am skillset ready to compete with the best of them in in the UFC.

00:11:06:16 – 00:11:25:29

Modestas Bukauskas:

I think what separates them is just the willingness to probably more the willingness to exchange and kind of go for broke, because obviously for the UFC you get paid a hell of a lot more money. So you know, there’s a lot more on the line. Obviously you’re in the spotlight, a hell of a lot more because exposure’s massive.

00:11:26:10 – 00:11:59:21

Modestas Bukauskas:

So, you know, I think I think that’s probably the only thing is like there there really they’re really, really going for it. The gloves are different. You know, the environment’s different. So, yeah, it’s like you fight in a bigger arenas, which I’ve yet to experience obviously. But yeah, but, but again, skillset wise, I mean you know, I think I think obviously it’s it’s more about the willingness to really put put put their skill sets on show they’re really going for broke when it goes to the UFC.

00:11:59:21 – 00:12:18:04

Modestas Bukauskas:

Those guys are really trying to try to knock each other’s heads off and, and you know, like put on a show. And I think I definitely was able to do that in my last fight. I was throwing more to the guy, was essentially backing up away from me most of the fight. And I was I was definitely more willing to pull the trigger.

00:12:18:04 – 00:12:31:22

Modestas Bukauskas:

I wanted to get in there. I wanted to, you know, get into the firefight, which which is what I know I’m going to need when I go into the UFC. You got to be ready to pull the trigger. You got to get ready to get into a firefight if you need to. So those are the things that I think separate them.

00:12:31:22 – 00:12:36:11

Modestas Bukauskas:

And it’s obviously why, you know, the the most entertaining promotion in the world.

00:12:36:21 – 00:12:55:03

Ola Akande:

Yeah. Yeah, 100%. I mean, just touching on those aspects of it. Is there something you prefer, you know, about working for Cage Warriors than when you work from your previous experience with the UFC? Is there something in between those two that you prefer working with warriors that you like?

00:12:55:03 – 00:13:18:29

Modestas Bukauskas:

Although I think of I mean, look like obviously I get to compete in, in, in like, you know, in London, which is obviously great. So that’s, that’s obviously 111 big thing but realistic only the UFC is very like very similar to Cage Like Cage was do a good job of setting you up to be prepared for what it’s going to be like in the UFC.

00:13:19:06 – 00:13:42:14

Modestas Bukauskas:

The UFC is just on a much larger scale and obviously they do things just with even more like basically it’s just like a level up. You know. I mean, just like with the level up, you know, the how you get treated in terms of like, you know, knowing what everyone’s there ready to help you. You got people looking after you, nutrition, you got people helping, you cut weight and stuff like that.

00:13:42:14 – 00:14:00:27

Modestas Bukauskas:

People tell you what it is that you need to do, where you need to go. You know, obviously there’s a lot more media attention, so there’s more obligations there, you know, and obviously you just get to fight in all areas of the world. So it’s just it’s just yeah, it’s essentially it’s just different in that sense where it’s just on a much larger scale and a much more of a global scale.

00:14:01:06 – 00:14:18:16

Modestas Bukauskas:

And yeah, but obviously, like, you know, like I love, I love fighting for Cage words as well. Just like, like I said, they’re even more professional now than they were like back when I fought for them before and they were already really good at that point. But now they’re just like they’ve leveled up themself.

00:14:18:16 – 00:14:18:29

Ola Akande:

They’re really.

00:14:19:11 – 00:14:38:29

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah, But yeah, like I say, obviously, you know, like, let’s not get it twisted though. No, no. Can no one can really compare to the UFC because but that is again why they are the premier promotion. But of course, like I say, I absolutely love fighting for cage warriors. It’s been absolutely amazing and yeah.

00:14:40:29 – 00:15:09:01

Ola Akande:

I mean I we’ve seen we’ve seen the preparations, the work that you keep doing even while you’re, you’re taking a downtown downtime in Newcastle and being with your family. We still see the work that you mentioned earlier when we first started talking, you know, in the past your dad, your sister in the background, big up to Ed Sullivan, the Ed Sullivan I saw your story the anytime we could.

00:15:09:03 – 00:15:16:29

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah, well, hey, listen, the edits was was was was, was my did, but oh.

00:15:16:29 – 00:15:17:15

Ola Akande:

Look at that.

00:15:17:15 – 00:15:35:18

Modestas Bukauskas:

So she so she she got the good angle. She got the good light. It’s like, you know, the good, the good place is where. So she, she, she she got the, she got the good camera angles but I did the edited myself. So listen, we could give us some credit because I’ll give all the credit now.

00:15:35:18 – 00:16:00:24

Ola Akande:

Yes. I’m your family. My mom did that. We viewed the handle business. We did go to war with you. Did you know that they go through the ups and downs, times of you and that’s what you know, That’s why the people you have around you in moments like this, in times like this, are so, so, so important. So let’s let’s shift gears a little bit because you’re a football fan.

00:16:00:24 – 00:16:08:15

Ola Akande:

We know that from your last time that you came here and Arsenal is still where they are. The last time you came here and I love.

00:16:08:15 – 00:16:09:17

Modestas Bukauskas:

The job, by the way.

00:16:09:25 – 00:16:17:11

Ola Akande:

Thank you very much. But, you know, I went fishing for the compliment, by the way, for it patiently.

00:16:17:11 – 00:16:25:19

Modestas Bukauskas:

I think I’ll stick with when’s the right club, the reds, the right side to talk about. I should have said it to be fair, but.

00:16:26:28 – 00:16:48:06

Ola Akande:

Now I thank you so much. I would go there and I think. Thank you. Thank you for that. Now we’ve got we’ve got the we’ve got the North London Derby on the horizon. Tottenham and Arsenal. We’re playing them tomorrow. Now, what have you made of of the way the arsenal have been since the last time you come on the show.

00:16:48:06 – 00:17:07:11

Ola Akande:

Because we haven’t really spoken about that. But since the last time you came on the show, what have you made with how they keep handling pressure, how they keep applying themselves to the games, the points tally that they’re putting together? Arteta And Odegaard one manager the month of November and December, which is typically the hardest months for us.

00:17:07:26 – 00:17:10:28

Ola Akande:

Yeah. What have you made of the whole the whole thing?

00:17:10:28 – 00:17:28:12

Modestas Bukauskas:

Well, this, this, this is the thing I was actually having a chat with someone is just like, you know how like and it’s always been the question is it’s you know we’ll also be able to hold it together all the way through the season. I was like, they’re doing a very good, you know, absolutely amazing software. We one of the best thoughts that they’ve had.

00:17:28:18 – 00:17:48:05

Modestas Bukauskas:

But it will it will it will it be able to carry on like roll when it goes. It’s a lot like right into the trenches of the season and that stuff a lot. But and I judging by the way that they playing and the way that they are handling themselves, I think they will do because I mean, they they’ve definitely created quite a big points difference from from the rest of the league.

00:17:48:12 – 00:18:11:12

Modestas Bukauskas:

You know you know it’s usually matches this much as city that are that are that are doing really well. You know we’re creating though we’re creating a bit of a difference now because I think what Manchester City a second almost so you know yeah lot look they’re playing well they’re doing they think they’ve been holding it together so far.

00:18:11:12 – 00:18:47:13

Modestas Bukauskas:

And in my personal opinion, I feel like they’re going to hold it together through the rest of the season. You know, they’ve been playing amazing and yeah, I don’t really see them dip in too much. It’s my to think that the last time that had a like a really strong team like similar to what they have now is like back in frickin 2006 when they had like Aldridge and Vieira so well not you know that that that was like that was like the almost you know the dream team of all of of arsenal from from I remember I remember playing like one of the FIFA games and, and having to not see that that was

00:18:47:13 – 00:19:11:22

Modestas Bukauskas:

like the one major group that was like the five star team, you know. So I think we’re definitely we’re definitely on on a good course, if we put it that way. We’re definitely on track to potentially win in win in the league. So I think we we just go we just got to keep, keep, keep, keep focus, Joe.

00:19:11:22 – 00:19:22:15

Modestas Bukauskas:

I mean, not not let anything dip, but they’ve been playing really well. And I’m happy about like I say, I’ve never been the most like kind of, you know, watch every single game sort of guy. Obviously.

00:19:22:17 – 00:19:26:22

Ola Akande:

What it’s Tottenham, a busy man as well. So, you know, that’s understandable.

00:19:26:22 – 00:19:46:06

Modestas Bukauskas:

But, you know, obviously you’ve got to tune in what it’s Tottenham. And also, you know, I mean, like we we we we caught we can’t let the Spurs be. I mean, for us I feel very confident in in our in our Yeah. Like I say in the skill set the team and Yeah. But, but we’re going to go and do best mate.

00:19:46:06 – 00:19:57:28

Modestas Bukauskas:

Listen we got, we got, we got a two time world champion supported so we’re going to bring that energy. It’s also a job. I mean we’re going to get that championship club. Look outside.

00:19:59:11 – 00:20:13:09

Ola Akande:

Of days. I mean, you’re in Newcastle. Newcastle is I never place does buzzing with football the owners the richest of these people their moneybags Newcastle that way you know.

00:20:13:09 – 00:20:25:16

Modestas Bukauskas:

It’s mad because my my my stepmom that is actually so they live in Newcastle but he’s a Liverpool supporter. Oh yeah. So what Liverpool life it might be for, for some other.

00:20:26:16 – 00:20:48:00

Ola Akande:

Be further down the table to be further down the table. I mean times are dire for Liverpool at the moment. Yeah. It’s no good for them. Yeah. Yeah. Really living good right now is Newcastle. Newcastle third in the, in the, in the table and Yeah. Yeah. We’re getting a lot of the top teams in the league so they are doing exceptionally well at the moment.

00:20:48:00 – 00:20:49:16

Ola Akande:

They’ve got good coach in Eddie Howe.

00:20:49:16 – 00:20:59:22

Modestas Bukauskas:

I’ll go, I’ll go out so I’ll go, I’ll go, I’ll tell him not to watch this. It’s the always going to get upset because this team I do well yeah.

00:21:00:10 – 00:21:18:28

Ola Akande:

Liverpool are down in the dumps at the moment but look they, they still got enough pile firepower to dig themselves out of the hole that they’re in. But the way the league is looking right now, there’s a lot of good things that that are doing that are doing a lot of crazy stuff like Fulham beating Chelsea. The other day, the Brighton, Brighton.

00:21:19:07 – 00:21:29:23

Ola Akande:

They’re doing some crazy stuff. I mean, there’s a lot of things that you don’t expect to be where they are up in the top half of the table and that Newcastle are certainly in the league and yeah, it’s.

00:21:30:01 – 00:21:30:15

Modestas Bukauskas:

Not.

00:21:32:01 – 00:21:45:15

Ola Akande:

For you. Before we, before we get out of here, a prediction for the North London Derby tomorrow. What’s your prediction for, for that for that much may even be a wild one throughout the might.

00:21:45:15 – 00:21:46:01

Modestas Bukauskas:

Of course.

00:21:46:09 – 00:21:49:27

Ola Akande:

I’ll be talking a lot of things the existence lately muddy but.

00:21:50:06 – 00:21:54:00

Modestas Bukauskas:

I reckon I reckon all arsenal to you know.

00:21:54:14 – 00:21:56:07

Ola Akande:

You I’ll take that.

00:21:56:21 – 00:21:59:08

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah I reckon also to know let’s go.

00:21:59:17 – 00:22:23:03

Ola Akande:

Come on now. Get it Let’s get it Big Muddy. Thank you so much. You’ve been, you’ve been a good sport as always, as usual. Thank you so much for your time. Lacazette taking downtime with family and giving us this time. I really, really appreciate it. And you know, hopefully down the line we will catch up with you again and try and get your title so you can.

00:22:23:19 – 00:22:24:15

Modestas Bukauskas:

Give so.

00:22:24:15 – 00:22:27:27

Ola Akande:

You can give our viewers some some updates on what’s going on with you.

00:22:28:14 – 00:22:47:02

Modestas Bukauskas:

Yeah, my mind. Listen, you always have an amazing time chat, so you’re a great guy. Thank you so much for having me on. Yeah, bye. And there’s big things to come, so, like I say, would definitely speak in the future. Always love chats you, bro. And yeah, man. On to bigger and better things for 2023.

00:22:47:18 – 00:23:03:11

Ola Akande:

Bigger and better things for 2023. And you heard it here first from Big Muddy is looking for bigger and better things in 2023. And up until then I say La vista people.