Modestas Bukauskas knocked out Umaru Sy at the end of the second round at UFC Paris, improving his record to 21-7 with his second consecutive victory. Sy falls to 12-3 and suffered the first knockout loss of his professional career, dropping back-to-back fights for the first time.
Modestas Bukauskas delivered a second-round knockout of Umaru Sy at UFC Paris on September 5, 2026, capping a statement performance that extended his winning streak to two fights.
Bukauskas, known as "The Baltic Gladiator," is a 32-year-old light heavyweight from Lithuania who trains out of Gintas Combat. He stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and fights out of a switch stance, giving him an unpredictable look on the feet. He lands 3.14 significant strikes per minute at 43 percent accuracy, and his record now sits at 21-7 following the finish. Back-to-back victories represent a meaningful momentum shift for a fighter who has spent much of his UFC tenure in the brutally competitive 205-pound division.
Sy drops to 12-3 after the defeat, a result that carries added significance beyond the loss column. It marked the first knockout of his professional career and the first time he has dropped consecutive fights. Having previously looked durable through the early stages of his UFC run, Sunday's finish represents a significant setback.
Why it matters
- Bukauskas enters the back half of 2026 on a two-fight winning streak, strengthening his case for a ranking inside the light heavyweight top fifteen.
- The knockout finish over a fighter who had never previously been stopped demonstrates real finishing power from Bukauskas, not just a decision victory.
- Sy's run of consecutive losses raises questions about where he fits in the 205-pound picture and whether adjustments are needed in his approach.
- A Paris crowd witnessing a clean finish adds momentum to the UFC's continued investment in the French market.
