Jan Blachowicz tears meniscus, out of UFC 328 fight with Guskov

Jan Blachowicz has been forced out of his UFC 328 bout against Bogdan Guskov, scheduled for May 9, after suffering a torn meniscus, leaving the light heavyweight division without a high-profile matchup for the event.

Blachowicz, 43, holds a professional record of 29-11-2 and is currently ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division. The Polish veteran fights out of WCA Fight Team and carries an orthodox stance into the cage at 188 cm with a reach of 198 cm. A former light heavyweight champion, he averages 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy, mixing in just over one takedown per 15 minutes of action. The injury denied him what would have been a rematch against Guskov, and no recovery timeline has been disclosed.

Guskov, known as "Czarevitch," now finds himself without an opponent three weeks out from the event. The 33-year-old Uzbek fighter represents GOR MMA and sits tenth in the divisional rankings with a record of 18-3-1. Standing 191 cm tall with a 193 cm reach, Guskov is an active striker who lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an accuracy rate of 55 percent. He also generates 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though he records no takedowns on average.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz, ranked fifth, was in position to potentially climb the light heavyweight ladder with a win over the tenth-ranked Guskov.
• The cancellation leaves Guskov idle at a critical point in his divisional push and the UFC scrambling to find him a replacement opponent.
• Both fighters operate as orthodox strikers, and the stylistic contrast — Guskov's higher volume and submission threat against Blachowicz's takedown-based game — made the rematch a compelling divisional matchup now lost from the card.