Electrifying Light Heavyweight Strikers Battle This May

UFC Vegas 117 will play host to a thrilling light heavyweight clash between two of the division’s most exciting prospects.

Light Heavyweights Clash in UFC Vegas 117 in May

This May, UFC light heavyweight competitors Modestas Bukauskas and Rodolfo Bellato will meet in Las Vegas as they both continue to make their climb up the rankings (first reported by MMA Fighting) in UFC Vegas 117 With both men encountering middling levels of success in their most recent trips to the cage, a win for either in UFC Vegas 117 will help to keep them relevant in the competitive 205-lb weight class. 

Bukauskas’ 2026 Run Off to Rocky Start After Glorious 2025 Campaign

Embarking on one of his most active years in the promotion in 2025, Bukauskas recorded three fights, managing three spectacular wins in a row. This includes two highlight reel knockouts over UFC light heavyweights Raffael Cerqueira and Paul Craig, sending the former into retirement after starching him with elbows in the first round.

His most difficult test last year came when he faced off with Moldova fighter Ion Cuțelaba at UFC 315, which would see him win the bout by split decision, making it the first time he had been to the scorecards since 2023.

After a fruitful 2025 run, “The Baltic Gladiator” had high hopes to kick off 2026 in a big way at the inaugural first Paramount card: UFC 324. Taking on fellow European Nikita Krylov on the preliminary card, Bukauskas sadly found himself outclassed by the UFC light heavyweight contender, suffering a late third-round knockout loss with just three seconds left on the clock. He now embarks on a fight at UFC Vegas 117 vs. Rafael Bellato at the Meta Apex.       

Bellato Back Into Win Column Earlier This Year

Heading into 2026, Bellato was having a rough go at it as a UFC competitor. Having been winless inside the Octagon since a come-from-behind triumph over Ihor Potieria in 2023, the Brazilian had struggled to notch another win. Taking the entirety of 2024 off, “Trator” had gone 0-1-1-1NC in his last three bouts in 2025, almost wiping away all the momentum he had built up as a prospective UFC light heavyweight. 

Fortunately, Bellato got the opportunity to shine once more on the big stage at UFC 326 earlier this month. Locking horns with the undefeated Luke Fernandez, he came into the contest as a sizable betting underdog. While he did battle with adversity early on in the match, Bellato defied the odds in dramatic fashion by flattening Hernandez in just under three minutes, upsetting the former CFFC champion and earning a Performance of the Night bonus.