Ivo Baranieski offered bout with Guskov as Blachowicz replacement at UFC 328

According to a report confirmed by manager Artur Gwozd, the UFC has extended a short-notice offer to Polish fighter Ivo Baranieski to step in for Jan Blachowicz opposite Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9. Whether Baranieski has accepted the offer remains unconfirmed, and this bout should be treated as unfinalized at this stage.

Blachowicz, the 43-year-old Polish veteran ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, was forced off the card after suffering a torn meniscus. Carrying a professional record of 29-11-2, the six-foot-two orthodox fighter has been a fixture at the top of the 205-pound division for years. He lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy and adds 1.03 takedowns per 15 minutes to his game, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.

Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, is a 33-year-old from Uzbekistan ranked tenth at light heavyweight with an 18-3-1 record. The six-foot-three orthodox striker out of GOR MMA is one of the division's more active and accurate stand-up fighters, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though he attempts virtually no takedowns himself.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz's withdrawal from a ranked light heavyweight clash creates a significant hole in the UFC 328 card that needs filling on short notice
• Guskov, sitting at number 10, had a chance to make a statement against a top-five opponent; any replacement will carry different divisional implications
• No details are available yet on Baranieski's record or ranking, leaving the stakes of the potential replacement bout unclear
• It is not known whether other fighters are also under consideration for the vacancy