Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira at UFC Fight Night 252 | Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
The opening bout at UFC Fight Night 252 sees Modestas Bukauskas meet Raffael Cerqueira in the light heavyweight division
Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira Facts
When is UFC Fight Night 252? UK – the preliminary card starts at 11:00pm on Saturday 22nd February 2025, followed by the main card at 2:00am (Sunday) / USA – 6:00pm/9:00pm ET and 3:00pm/6:00pm PT
Where is UFC Fight Night 252? Climate Pledge Arena, Seattle, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 252? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC Fight Night 252
What TV channel is UFC Fight Night 252 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 252? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
For viewers in the United States, UFC Fight Night 252 will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
What time are Modestas Bukauskas and Raffael Cerqueira expected to walk out? Saturday 22nd February, 11:10pm UK / 6:10pm US ET / 3:10pm US PT
UFC Fight Night 252 Main Card
Henry Cejudo vs Song Yandong (Bantamweight)
Brandon Allen vs Anthony Hernandez (Middleweight)
Jean Silva vs Melsik Baghdasaryan (Featherweight)
Ion Cutelaba vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)
Alonzo Menifield vs Julius Walker (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night 252 Prelims
Nursulton Ruziboev vs Eric McConico (Middleweight)
Andre Fili vs Melquizael Costa (Featherweight)
Ricky Simon vs Javid Basharat (Bantamweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Nick Klein (Middleweight)
Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira (Light Heavyweight)
Rob Font vs Jean Matsumoto (Catchweight)
Modestas Bukauskas: Lithuanian looking for fourth win in second spell in UFC
Modestas Bukauskas (16-6) is in his second spell in the UFC and the Lithuanian is enjoying more success this time around. A three-fight losing streak saw him return to Cage Warriors in 2021 – and win the light heavyweight championship - but he returned to the UFC in 2023 and has since won three of his four bouts. He comes off a submission win over Marcin Prachnio at UFC 304 in July and will look to follow that up here.
Raffael Cerqueira: Brazilian desperate to bounce back from first career loss
Raffael Cerqueira (11-1) suffered a difficult welcome to the UFC as he was blasted out on his promotional debut by Ibo Aslan in October. It is a relatively quick turnaround for the Brazilian after that tough loss which was the first of his professional MMA career so it will be interesting to see how he handles it psychologically as much as anything else.
Modestas Bukauskas vs Raffael Cerqueira Prediction
The opening fight on the card in Seattle should be a good one with both fighters having something to prove. Modestas Bukauskas is determined to prove himself in the UFC and he is going some way to doing that in his second spell in the organisation. Cerqueira was TKO’d on his debut and he will be eager to show that was a fluke and that he is the real deal.
It is hard to back Cerqueira with any real confidence given the quick turnaround since his knockout. There was so much to like about him prior to that loss but he has been fighting at regional level and may not be cut out for the UFC.
Bukauskas has at least shown he is capable and belongs at this level. The Lithuanian has gained good experience at this level and has a decent enough track record.
Our concern is that he is susceptible to being knocked out and that has happened four times in his career. Cerqueira has very good power and could quite easily catch Bukauskas. The value play is on Cerqueira here but our pick is on the fight to not go the distance.
Prediction: Fight to not go the distance
