Jan Blachowicz has announced his withdrawal from the scheduled rematch against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9 due to a torn meniscus. The 43-year-old Polish fighter posted the announcement on his social media channels. Despite the injury setback, Blachowicz insists that this is not the end of his career and that he intends to return to competition. He stated he wants to finish his fighting career on his own terms. The injury represents another obstacle for the veteran light heavyweight contender.
Jan Blachowicz has been forced out of his scheduled rematch against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, revealing via social media that a torn meniscus will prevent him from competing.
The 41-year-old — correction, the 43-year-old Polish veteran holds a professional record of 29-11-2 and is currently ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division. Fighting out of the WCA Fight Team, Blachowicz stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and brings a measured, technical style to the cage, averaging 3.44 significant strikes landed per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He also contributes on the ground, averaging 1.03 takedowns per 15 minutes. In his announcement, Blachowicz was clear that the injury does not signal retirement, stating his intention to return and finish his career on his own terms.
Guskov, known as "Czarevitch," now finds himself without an opponent. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan carries an 18-3-1 record and sits at number 10 in the light heavyweight rankings. Fighting out of GOR MMA, he stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and has shown strong offensive output, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also generates submission threats at a rate of 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Blachowicz's withdrawal removes a ranked fifth-versus-tenth matchup from UFC 328, leaving a significant light heavyweight bout off the card.
- Guskov loses a high-profile opportunity to climb the divisional ladder and will need a replacement opponent or rescheduling.
- For Blachowicz, recovering from a torn meniscus at 43 raises genuine questions about his timeline for return, even as he insists on continuing his career.
- The light heavyweight division loses clarity at the contender level with two ranked fighters now sidelined from meaningful competition.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
