The scheduled fight between Jan Blachowicz and Guskov has been cancelled. UFC has provided a replacement matchup featuring another Polish fighter, Ibo Baraniewski, who will now step in. The post humorously suggests judges won't be needed as the fighters will settle it themselves. The source also notes that Gilbert Burns has retired, Mike Malott will enter the top 15 welterweight rankings, and recommends watching fights from the recent card including Vologdin-Castaneda, Nallo-Herbert, and Jordan-Phillips. Additionally, it mentions Arman Tsarukyan defeated Urijah Faber 13-1 in a wrestling match.
The UFC has scrapped the planned matchup between Jan Blachowicz and Guskov, replacing it with a new bout featuring Polish fighter Ibo Baraniewski, who steps in to face Blachowicz at the upcoming event.
Blachowicz, 43, is a former light heavyweight champion currently ranked fifth in the division. The Polish veteran carries a record of 29-11-2 and brings considerable experience to any contest. Standing six-foot-two with a 78-inch reach, he lands 3.44 significant strikes per minute at a 49 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more technically sound strikers in the 205-pound weight class.
Why it matters
- Blachowicz's ranking means a victory or defeat here carries real divisional consequences at light heavyweight
- Baraniewski steps in as a late replacement, which typically favors the better-prepared fighter
- The fight is expected to be settled without the need for a judges' scorecard, according to the announcement
Elsewhere, welterweight Gilbert Burns has announced his retirement. "Durinho," 39, finishes his career with a record of 22-10-0 and was ranked 13th in the welterweight division at the time of his departure. The Brazilian was a consistent threat throughout his UFC tenure, averaging 2.12 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 3.15 significant strikes landed per minute. His retirement opens a spot in the top 15, with Mike Malott set to enter the welterweight rankings as a result.
On a lighter note, Arman Tsarukyan reportedly defeated Urijah Faber 13-1 in a wrestling match. Faber, 47, is a combat sports legend who competed at 35-11-0 over his professional MMA career. The 13-1 scoreline suggests the two were competing in a points-based wrestling format rather than a formal MMA context.
Fights recommended from the recent card include Vologdin versus Castaneda, Nallo versus Herbert, and Jordan versus Phillips.
