Ivo Baraniewski offered replacement fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328

The UFC has extended a short-notice replacement offer to Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski, asking him to step in against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9th. The offer follows the withdrawal of Jan Blachowicz due to injury, according to a report confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd. As of the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether Baraniewski has accepted or declined.

Baraniewski, 27, enters the conversation as a perfect 8-0-0 and would be making a significant jump in competition on relatively short notice. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the orthodox striker has posted eye-catching numbers, landing 15.77 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 70 percent. He has no divisional ranking listed, underscoring just how steep a climb this opportunity represents.

Guskov, nicknamed "Czarevitch," is a ranked light heavyweight out of Uzbekistan who brings a 18-3-1 record and sits tenth in the division. The 33-year-old stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a credible finishing threat on the ground.

Blachowicz, the fifth-ranked light heavyweight at 43 years old, had been the original opponent. The Polish veteran carries a 29-11-2 record and a 78-inch reach, and his absence opens the door for Baraniewski, a fellow countryman, to take a career-defining assignment.

Why it matters

• Baraniewski would face a top-ten light heavyweight in only his UFC debut, an unusually steep short-notice task
• A win for Baraniewski could fast-track his divisional ranking; a Guskov victory keeps him pressing toward the top five
• Both fighters are orthodox strikers, but Guskov's submission threat adds a ground dimension to an otherwise striking-heavy stylistic matchup
• The report is unconfirmed and the fight is not yet officially signed