The UFC has officially offered Iwo Baraniewski the opportunity to replace Jan Blachowicz against Bogdan Guskov following Blachowicz's injury withdrawal. The offer was confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd. This would represent a significant step-up opportunity for the Polish fighter to face Guskov on relatively short notice. The bout would presumably remain on the UFC 328 card scheduled for May 9. No response from Baraniewski regarding acceptance of the offer has been reported yet.
The UFC has offered Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski a short-notice replacement bout against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, stepping in for Jan Blachowicz, who has withdrawn from the fight due to injury. The offer was confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, though no acceptance has been reported as of yet.
Blachowicz, the 43-year-old Polish veteran ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, carries a professional record of 29-11-2. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, he lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and averages just over one takedown per 15 minutes. His withdrawal creates an opening that the UFC has moved quickly to fill.
Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, is a 33-year-old Uzbekistan-based fighter ranked tenth at light heavyweight with a record of 18-3-1. The six-foot-three Orthodox striker, who trains out of GOR MMA, posts an impressive 55 percent striking accuracy and lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute. He averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes but has recorded zero takedowns per 15 minutes in his UFC run.
Baraniewski, 27, enters as the significant underdog in terms of experience. The unbeaten Polish fighter stands at an unblemished 8-0-0 and brings eye-catching output numbers — 15.77 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable 70 percent accuracy. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, he fights out of an Orthodox stance.
Why it matters
- Baraniewski would be stepping up to face a ranked top-ten light heavyweight on short notice, a major leap for an 8-0 prospect
- A win over Guskov would immediately place Baraniewski inside the divisional rankings
- Both fighters favor striking and neither averages meaningful takedowns, pointing toward a stand-up battle
- The Blachowicz withdrawal reshapes what was expected to be a high-profile ranked matchup on the UFC 328 card
Saturday, May 9, 2026
