The UFC has officially offered Iwo Baraniewski a replacement fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, according to the Polish fighter's manager Artur Gwozd. This offer came after Jan Blachowicz withdrew from the scheduled rematch due to injury. Baraniewski would be stepping in on relatively short notice to face the Russian light heavyweight. No confirmation has been reported yet on whether Baraniewski has accepted the bout. The post does not provide additional details about Baraniewski's current record or recent form.
The UFC has extended a replacement bout offer to Iwo Baraniewski, asking the undefeated Polish prospect to step in against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, according to Baraniewski's manager Artur Gwozd. The offer arose after ranked light heavyweight Jan Blachowicz pulled out of a scheduled rematch with Guskov due to injury. As of the report, Baraniewski has not yet confirmed whether he has accepted.
Baraniewski enters the picture riding a perfect 8-0-0 professional record. The 27-year-old orthodox striker stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach and has posted a remarkable significant strike landing rate of 15.77 per minute at a 70 percent accuracy clip, among the most eye-catching numbers in the division.
Guskov, known as "Czarevitch," holds a 18-3-1 record and sits at number ten in the light heavyweight rankings. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan is six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and fights out of GOR MMA. He lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though he has recorded no takedowns in that same window.
Blachowicz, the former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, carries a 29-11-2 record and is currently ranked fifth in the division. The 43-year-old Pole stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and was originally slated to rematch Guskov before the injury forced him out.
Why it matters
- Baraniewski would be taking a significant step up in competition on short notice against a ranked top-ten opponent.
- A win for either fighter would carry meaningful divisional implications at light heavyweight.
- The matchup contrasts Baraniewski's high-volume striking output against Guskov's submission threat and experienced finishing ability.
- Acceptance of the fight remains unconfirmed, leaving the card's light heavyweight slot unsettled ahead of UFC 328.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
