Ivo Baraniewski offered UFC 328 replacement bout against Bogdan Guskov

The UFC has extended a short-notice offer to Ivo Baraniewski to step in against light heavyweight contender Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9, 2026. The matchup became available after Jan Blachowicz withdrew from the fight due to injury. The offer was disclosed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, and as of the time of reporting, Baraniewski has not confirmed whether he will accept.

Bogdan "Czarevitch" Guskov enters the bout ranked tenth in the light heavyweight division with a record of 18-3-1. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan, who trains out of GOR MMA, stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach. He lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at a striking accuracy of 55 percent and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded offensive profile.

Blachowicz, the fifth-ranked light heavyweight who was originally scheduled to face Guskov, is a 43-year-old Polish veteran with a record of 29-11-2. The six-foot-two orthodox fighter carries a 78-inch reach and has long been a fixture near the top of the division, though his injury now removes him from this card entirely.

Baraniewski is an undefeated 27-year-old standing at six feet with a 73-inch reach and a perfect 8-0-0 record. His striking numbers are striking in their own right — he lands 15.77 significant strikes per minute at a remarkable accuracy of 70 percent, numbers that stand out sharply even against seasoned competition.

Why it matters

• Guskov, ranked tenth, was already in line for a significant divisional statement against a top-five opponent in Blachowicz
• Baraniewski would be stepping in on short notice as an unranked fighter, making acceptance a considerable risk-reward calculation
• A victory for either man over the other would carry meaningful implications for the light heavyweight rankings picture heading into mid-2026