Ivo Baranievski has received an official offer from the UFC to replace Jan Blachowicz and face Bogdan Guskov. This information was reported by the Polish fighter's manager, Artur Gwozd. The offer comes following Blachowicz's withdrawal from the scheduled bout. The matchup would be at light heavyweight and would keep Guskov on the card. No confirmation has been announced from Baranievski's side yet regarding acceptance of the short-notice fight.
The UFC has extended a short-notice offer to Ivo Baranievski to step in and face Bogdan Guskov at light heavyweight, following Jan Blachowicz's withdrawal from the scheduled bout. The development was disclosed by Baranievski's manager, Artur Gwozd, on April 18. No official acceptance has been announced from Baranievski's camp as of yet.
Blachowicz, the 43-year-old Polish veteran carrying a 29-11-2 record, holds the number-five ranking at light heavyweight. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has built his career around balanced output, averaging 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy while also contributing on the ground with 1.03 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Guskov, nicknamed "Czarevitch," enters as the number-ten ranked light heavyweight with an 18-3-1 record. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan is notably active on the feet, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 55 percent accuracy. Standing six-foot-three with a 193-centimeter reach, the GOR MMA product also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a willingness to hunt finishes on the ground despite registering no takedowns per 15 minutes in his UFC appearances.
Why it matters
- Guskov, ranked tenth, risks losing his spot on the card entirely without a replacement stepping forward on short notice.
- A win for either fighter would carry real divisional weight in a crowded top-ten at light heavyweight.
- Baranievski would be facing a striker-heavy opponent in Guskov, whose volume and accuracy rank among the higher marks in the division.
- The offer remains unconfirmed from Baranievski's side, leaving the bout's status uncertain heading into the event.
