Ivo Baraniewski has received an official offer from the UFC to replace Jan Blachowicz and face Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328. The information was reported by Blachowicz's manager, Artur Gwóźdź. Blachowicz withdrew from the rematch due to a torn meniscus. This would represent a significant opportunity for Baraniewski to step in on short notice against Guskov. The UFC 328 event is scheduled for May 9.
The UFC has extended an official fight offer to unbeaten prospect Iwo Baraniewski to step in and face Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, replacing Jan Blachowicz, who was forced to withdraw from the scheduled rematch with a torn meniscus. The news was disclosed by Blachowicz's manager, Artur Gwóźdź.
Blachowicz, a 43-year-old Polish veteran ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, carries a professional record of 29-11-2. The six-foot-two orthodox fighter boasts a 78-inch reach and has averaged 3.44 significant strikes per minute across his career, landing them at 49 percent accuracy. His meniscus injury has now derailed what would have been a high-profile rematch at 205 pounds.
Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, enters the card 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 has been notably active on the feet, landing significant strikes at a 55 percent accuracy rate and averaging 4.17 per minute. He also generates submission threats, averaging 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes.
Baraniewski would be making a significant leap in competition on short notice. The 27-year-old orthodox fighter is a perfect 8-0-0 and stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach. His striking output numbers are eye-catching, with 15.77 significant strikes landed per minute at a remarkable 70 percent accuracy, though the level of opposition he has faced to this point remains a key variable.
Why it matters
- Blachowicz's withdrawal opens the door for an unranked prospect to earn a divisional foothold against a top-10 opponent
- A win for Baraniewski over ranked Guskov would immediately establish him inside the light heavyweight rankings
- Both fighters are orthodox strikers, setting up a potentially explosive standup contest given their combined output numbers
- Guskov loses a high-profile rematch scenario but remains on the card with the chance to vault further up the rankings
Saturday, May 9, 2026
