Inspired by the generalization of scalar field gravitational models with a minimum length we study the equivalent theory in modified theories of gravity. The quadratic generalized uncertainty principle (GUP) gives rise to a deformed Heisenberg algebra in the application, resulting in the emergence of additional degrees of freedom described by higher-order derivatives. The new degrees of freedom can be attributed to the introduction of a new scalar field, transforming the resulting theory into a two-scalar field theory. Thus, in order to describe all the degrees of freedom we investigate special forms of the sixth-order modify f (R , square R) -theory of gravity, where the gravitational Lagrangian has similar properties to that of the GUP scalar field theory. Finally, the cosmological applications are discussed, and we show that the de Sitter universe can be recovered without introducing a cosmological constant.