Iwo Baraniewski offered replacement bout against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328

The UFC has reportedly extended an official fight offer to Iwo Baraniewski to step in as a last-minute replacement for Jan Blachowicz opposite Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9. The information came from Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, though no official confirmation of acceptance has been made public, leaving the bout unconfirmed at this stage.

Blachowicz, the 43-year-old Polish veteran ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, was forced to withdraw from the card. Carrying a professional record of 29-11-2, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter owns a 78-inch reach and averages 3.44 significant strikes per minute with 49 percent striking accuracy. He remains one of the most experienced names in the 205-pound weight class.

Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, is ranked tenth at light heavyweight and brings an 18-3-1 record into the bout. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and has demonstrated sharp offensive output, landing significant strikes at 4.17 per minute on 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, showing a willingness to seek finishes on the ground.

Baraniewski, the unbeaten 27-year-old Pole, carries an 8-0-0 record and presents a striking profile that stands out even on paper. He lands 15.77 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 70 percent accuracy, though the level of opposition he has faced leading to this potential assignment warrants context.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz's withdrawal opens a rare UFC 328 spot for an unproven but undefeated prospect
• A win over a top-ten ranked light heavyweight would be a career-defining result for Baraniewski
• Guskov faces a stylistically unpredictable opponent replacing a known quantity at short notice
• The bout remains unconfirmed pending Baraniewski's official acceptance