Ivo Baraniewski offered replacement bout vs. Guskov at UFC 328

The UFC has reportedly offered Polish prospect Iwo Baraniewski a short-notice replacement fight against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9. According to Baraniewski's manager, Artur Gwozd, the offer was made after Jan Blachowicz withdrew from the card due to injury. As of the report, it is not confirmed whether Baraniewski has accepted the bout.

Baraniewski, 27, enters the conversation as an undefeated fighter with a perfect 8-0-0 record. Standing six feet tall with a 73-inch reach, the Orthodox-stance fighter has posted eye-catching striking numbers, landing an extraordinary 15.77 significant strikes per minute at a 70 percent accuracy rate across his career so far. He has no divisional ranking listed, making this a significant step up in competition.

Guskov, nicknamed Czarevitch, is ranked tenth in the light heavyweight division and carries an 18-3-1 record. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and fights out of GOR MMA. He lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, though he records no takedowns. The fight would keep Guskov active after losing his original opponent in Blachowicz, who sits fifth in the light heavyweight rankings at age 43.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz's withdrawal removes a ranked name from the card, and Guskov needs a replacement to stay on the May 9 event
• A win over the tenth-ranked Guskov would immediately thrust the unbeaten Baraniewski into the light heavyweight rankings conversation
• The stylistic matchup pits Baraniewski's high-volume striking output against Guskov's more measured but accurate stand-up game and submission threat
• This story remains unconfirmed, with no official acceptance reported by either fighter or the UFC