Ivo Baraniewski has received an official offer from the UFC to replace Jan Blachowicz and face Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328. The offer was confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd. This would be a replacement bout following Blachowicz's withdrawal due to a torn meniscus. Baraniewski is a Polish fighter who would step in on relatively short notice. No confirmation has been given yet on whether Baraniewski has accepted the offer or if the bout is finalized.
The UFC has extended a fight offer to Ivo Baraniewski to step in as a replacement opponent for Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9, 2026. The offer was confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, though as of April 18 no acceptance or official confirmation of the bout has been issued.
The matchup became available after Jan Blachowicz, who had been slated to face Guskov, withdrew from the card with a torn meniscus. The Polish veteran, now 43 years old, holds a professional record of 29-11-2 and is ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, Blachowicz had averaged 3.44 significant strikes per minute over his UFC career with 49 percent striking accuracy.
Baraniewski, also Polish, would be stepping in on relatively short notice. The 27-year-old is undefeated at 8-0-0 and stands six feet tall with a 73-inch reach. His recorded striking numbers are eye-catching, with 15.77 significant strikes landed per minute at 70 percent accuracy, though the sample size behind those figures should be noted given his early career stage.
His prospective opponent, Bogdan Guskov, fights out of Uzbekistan under the GOR MMA banner and carries the nickname Czarevitch. The 33-year-old holds a record of 18-3-1 and is ranked tenth in the light heavyweight division. Standing six-foot-three with a 193-centimeter reach, Guskov averages 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and has logged 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded offensive game.
Why it matters
- Blachowicz's withdrawal reshuffles a ranked light heavyweight contest, with Guskov's top-ten standing on the line
- Baraniewski would be a significant underdog in experience but enters undefeated and with striking metrics that stand out
- A short-notice replacement role could serve as a high-profile debut or breakout moment for the unbeaten Pole, assuming the fight is formally agreed
Saturday, May 9, 2026
