Ivo Baraniewski offered UFC 328 fight as Blachowicz replacement

The UFC has extended a short-notice offer to Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski to step in against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, following the withdrawal of Jan Blachowicz due to injury. The offer was confirmed by Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, though Baraniewski's acceptance had not been announced at the time of the report.

Blachowicz, a 43-year-old Polish veteran ranked fifth in the light heavyweight division, carries a professional record of 29-11-2. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, the orthodox fighter averages 3.44 significant strikes per minute with 49 percent accuracy, and has been a fixture near the top of the 205-pound rankings for years. His injury-forced exit created the vacancy Baraniewski is now being asked to fill.

Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch and representing Uzbekistan, enters the bout ranked tenth at light heavyweight with an 18-3-1 record. The 33-year-old stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and posts an impressive 55 percent striking accuracy while landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, showing a willingness to look for finishes on the ground.

Baraniewski is a 27-year-old unbeaten orthodox fighter carrying a perfect 8-0 record. At six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, he has posted striking numbers that stand out sharply, landing at a rate of 15.77 significant strikes per minute with a 70 percent accuracy rate across his career.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz's withdrawal reshapes a ranked light heavyweight bout with divisional standings implications for Guskov
• Baraniewski would be making a significant step up in competition on short notice against a top-ten opponent
• Both Baraniewski and Guskov favor orthodox striking, setting up a potentially aggressive stand-up contest