Bogdan Guskov seeks new opponent to stay on UFC 328 card

Bogdan Guskov is searching for a replacement opponent to keep his spot on the UFC 328 card, scheduled for May 9, according to his manager Gor Azizyan. His original opponent withdrew from the bout, though no details about the reason for the pullout have been made public.

Guskov, 33, carries an 18-3-1 record and is currently ranked tenth in the light heavyweight division. The Uzbekistan-born fighter trains out of GOR MMA and brings a physically imposing frame to the cage — standing six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach. He has built his reputation primarily as a striker, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 55 percent, while adding submission threat with 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He does not rely on takedowns, averaging zero per 15 minutes, making him a predominantly stand-and-trade competitor.

Why it matters

• Guskov sits at number ten in the light heavyweight rankings, and staying active with a performance on a numbered card could push him closer to the division's elite.
• A fight with Jan Blachowicz has also been floated as an alternative, with Azizyan indicating that bout could be rescheduled if no replacement is found in time.
• The style matchup with any incoming opponent will hinge on whether they can handle Guskov's striking output or look to neutralize him on the ground, where he is rarely active.

Azizyan presented two paths forward for fans: find a new opponent for UFC 328, or reschedule the previously planned Blachowicz matchup for a later date. No announcement on a replacement has been confirmed at the time of this report.