The UFC has officially offered Iwo Baraniewski a fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328. This offer came after Jan Blachowicz withdrew from his scheduled rematch with Guskov due to injury. According to Blachowicz's manager Artur Gwozd, Baraniewski received the official contract offer to step in as a replacement. The Polish fighter would be taking the bout on relatively short notice, as UFC 328 is scheduled for May 9. Whether Baraniewski has accepted the offer was not confirmed in the post.
The UFC has offered unbeaten Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski a short-notice fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9. The offer was confirmed by Jan Blachowicz's manager, Artur Gwozd, after Blachowicz withdrew from his planned rematch with Guskov due to injury. Whether Baraniewski has accepted the contract had not been confirmed at the time of the report.
Blachowicz, 43, holds a 29-11-2 record and is ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division. The Polish veteran stands six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach and lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, also averaging 1.03 takedowns per 15 minutes across his career.
Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, enters ranked tenth at light heavyweight with an 18-3-1 record. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and is a high-volume striker, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though he records no takedowns.
Baraniewski, 27, carries a perfect 8-0-0 record into this potential bout. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the Polish fighter posts a remarkable 70 percent striking accuracy and an eye-catching 15.77 significant strikes landed per minute, suggesting an aggressive, pressure-based style.
Why it matters
- Blachowicz's injury reshapes what was a high-profile light heavyweight rematch, opening the door for an unranked prospect to make a major statement.
- A win for Baraniewski over ranked contender Guskov would immediately thrust the unbeaten 27-year-old into divisional conversations.
- Both Guskov and Baraniewski are Orthodox strikers, setting up a technically interesting stand-up contest between a high-accuracy, high-volume veteran and a prospect with elite finishing instincts.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
