Jan Blachowicz withdraws from UFC 328 rematch with torn meniscus

Jan Blachowicz has been forced out of his scheduled light heavyweight rematch against Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328 on May 9, the Polish veteran announcing a torn meniscus as the cause. No replacement opponent or rescheduled date has been announced for either fighter.

Blachowicz, 43, carries a professional record of 29-11-2 and sits at number five in the light heavyweight rankings. Fighting out of Poland for the WCA Fight Team, the six-foot-two orthodox striker has a 78-inch reach and lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at 49 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.03 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat at 205 pounds. The torn meniscus is a significant blow for the former champion, who was aiming to build on or avenge his previous meeting with Guskov.

Ranked tenth in the division, Bogdan Guskov — known as "Czarevitch" — enters this period of uncertainty with an 18-3-1 record. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan trains out of GOR MMA and stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach. Guskov is notably active on the feet, landing 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, and adds a submission threat with 1.1 attempts per 15 minutes.

Why it matters

• Blachowicz's withdrawal removes a top-five versus top-ten matchup that carried direct divisional ranking implications at light heavyweight.
• The injury stalls momentum for the 43-year-old Blachowicz, who is competing at the higher end of the age curve for the division.
• Guskov now faces an uncertain path forward with no opponent named and no rescheduled date confirmed.
• The UFC 328 light heavyweight card loses one of its more compelling matchups with no immediate resolution in sight.