MODESTAS BUKAUSKAS has gone from looking to take a date to the Isle of Fernandos to attempting to take out the UFC’s elite light-heavyweights.

Nearly seven years ago, a 24-year-old Bukauskas appeared on the hit ITV Show ‘Take Me Out’ looking to bag himself a date and jet off to the Canary Island.

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Modestas Bukauskas is on the cusp of entering the top-15 of the UFC’s light-heavyweight divisionCredit: GETTY

The Lithuanian-born Brit is flying high on four-fight win streakCredit: GETTY

Bukuaskas bagged himself a date with Shelly after baring his heart, soul and ambition to make it to the UFC, which raised a few eyebrows.

Fast forward to 2026, and Lithuanian-born Brit Bukauskas is on the cusp of becoming a one of the best 205-pounders in the world.

And he owes some of the confidence he’s brimming with in his second stint in MMA’s top promotion to that appearance on the beloved, but since-cancelled, show.

He told SunSport: “Thinking back, I was 24 when I went on Take Me Out. And even watching the clips back, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, who is this guy?’

“No facial hair, and I still had the proper young vibes. But as I said, I’ve always had this dream of mine.

“Any sport that I was doing, I always wanted to be the best at it.

“I always wanted to be world level in terms of my skill set, and I’ve always wanted to be a champion. I’ve always wanted to do massive things.

“Even my dad always tells me all the time, he says,’ You’ve always had it within you to be able to do great things.’

Modestas Bukauskas appeared on hit ITV dating show Take Me Out seven years agoCredit: ITV

‘The Baltic’ Gladiator showed then host Paddy McGuinness some of his movesCredit: ITV

Appearing on the show gave a then 24-year-old Bukauskas a massive confidence boostCredit: ITV

“Even when I was born, he said, ‘I just knew that there was going to be something about this kid.’

“It’s a testament and a credit to my dad, actually, for pushing me to be resilient.

“For all the hard training sessions that I had when I was younger. And as it continued on in my life, the things that he taught me.”

He added: “With Take Me Out, the reason why I did that show in the first place was just to get exposure and to do something different.

“And that was like my first sort of time to unlock my confidence within myself. Because I was always a bit of a shy kid when I was younger.

“I was kind of not really the popular guy and and stuff like this. People kind of always brushed me off to the side.

“So that was my first time to like show myself to the world a little bit.

“Obviously through a dating show and stuff like that.

“But it was almost like to unlock my personality and just be like, ‘Do you know what?

“‘I’m just going to be authentically myself and not really care what people think.

Modestas Bukauskas brutalised Brit MMA legend Paul Craig in his last outing last SeptemberCredit: GETTY

“And I think that sort of mindset has carried me forward, not only in life, but in my career [too]. And that’s what’s got me essentially here today.”

Bukauskas’ shot at the light-heavyweight big time comes on a stacked UFC 324 card in Las Vegas early on Sunday morning.

Standing between the 31-year-old and a spot in the rankings is veteran 205er Nikita Krylov, who remains one of the trickier customers in the division.

The Ukrainian-born Russian has lost his last two on the bounce by knockout, but Bukauskas insists he’s far from over the hill.

“This is probably my biggest test to date,” Bukauskas said of his first outing of the year.

“Nikita Krylov, in my opinion, over the course of all the fights that I’ve fought, is probably the most well-rounded athlete.

“He’s very chaotic, he’s got good striking and good grappling. And he’s got a lot of submission wins.

“He’s got a hell of a lot of experience, he’s got so many fights. So this is kind of like the pinnacle of my career.

“And I feel like every single fight has been a a gradual step up in competition. And obviously, he’s very motivated because he’s coming off two losses.

Nikita Krylov stands between Modestas Bukauskas and a spout in the light-heavyweight top-15Credit: GETTY

This is probably my biggest test to date.u0022

Modestas Bukuaskas on Nikita Kyrlov

“So he’s gonna be raring to go. He’s gonna be like, ‘Do you know what?

“‘I need to put it on this prospect and show that I’m still within the top 15.

“So he’s going to be coming in highly motivated. For me, this is my toughest opponent to date and my toughest test to date.

“But it goes in line with my progression in the sport and my progression in fighting slightly higher opposition every single time.

“So this is like the perfect step up for me from my last opponent and I’m looking forward to it.”

Respect for Krylov aside, Bukauskas wholeheartedly believes he’ll punch his ticket to the top 15 and future bouts with the big names in the division with a stoppage victory in Sin City.

“I think it’ll be,” he said when asked for his prediction. “Another finish from from the feet, essentially.

“Obviously Nikita’s very dangerous, especially when he does his his blitz style moves from the karate style.

“But essentially, there are going to be openings that are going to be presented to me and it’s just my job to go out there and take them.”