Bogdan Guskov has expressed interest in facing Paulo Costa in the Octagon. According to Ivo Baranieski, he agreed to fight Guskov, but Guskov did not accept the bout. Guskov, describing himself as "a Russian guy who grew up in Uzbekistan," stated he is ready to share the cage at any time and will make Baranieski "swallow those words." Gor Azizyan supported Guskov, noting that Baranieski has been vocal after beating Kopylov and Azamat, and suggested it's time to "clip his wings." The post asks fans if they would like to see a fight between Guskov and Baranieski.
Bogdan Guskov has thrown his name into the ring for a potential showdown with Paulo Costa, while simultaneously disputing claims from Ivo Baranieski that Guskov turned down a fight between the two.
Guskov, ranked tenth in the UFC light heavyweight division, carries an 18-3-1 record and competes out of GOR MMA. The 33-year-old, who describes himself as a Russian who grew up in Uzbekistan, stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and brings a submission-heavy approach to his orthodox stance, averaging 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes. He made clear he is ready to step into the cage at any time and vowed to make Baranieski "swallow those words" regarding the disputed bout refusal.
Costa, nicknamed The Eraser, is a 35-year-old Brazilian middleweight ranked thirteenth in his division with a 16-4-0 professional record. Standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the more prolific strikers in the UFC, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. It is worth noting that Costa competes at middleweight while Guskov operates a full division above at light heavyweight, meaning any matchup between the two would require one fighter to move.
Teammate and fellow GOR MMA fighter Gor Azizyan added fuel to the Baranieski situation, pointing out that Baranieski has been outspoken following victories over Kopylov and Azamat, and suggesting it is time someone put a stop to the momentum.
Why it matters
- Guskov sits at number ten in a competitive light heavyweight division, making any high-profile fight consequential for his ranking position
- The disputed version of events with Baranieski adds a personal edge that could accelerate booking
- A potential Guskov-Costa matchup would cross divisional lines, complicating any official negotiation
