Bogdan Guskov has expressed interest in fighting Paulo Costa in the octagon. According to Ivo Baranieski, he agreed to fight Guskov but claims that Bogdan rejected the bout. Guskov describes himself as a Russian guy who grew up in Uzbekistan and says he is ready to share the cage anytime, vowing to make Baranieski swallow his words. His team member Gor Azizyan criticized Baranieski for talking after beating Kopylov and Azamat, suggesting they should clip his wings. The post asks fans whether they would like to see a fight between Guskov and Baranieski, indicating this is a developing storyline with unresolved tensions.
Bogdan Guskov has thrown his name into the ring for a potential showdown with Paulo Costa, while simultaneously firing back at Ivo Baranieski over claims 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 lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, underlining his finishing versatility. Guskov stated he is ready to share the cage with Costa at any time and vowed to make Baranieski swallow his words regarding the disputed bout offer.
Paulo Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight, holds a 16-4-0 record and fights out of Brazil under Team Borracha. The 35-year-old orthodox striker stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and is one of the division's most aggressive volume punchers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an eye-catching 58 percent accuracy. Costa has not publicly commented on Guskov's callout based on available information.
The Baranieski angle adds a secondary layer of tension. Guskov's team member Gor Azizyan criticized Baranieski for talking up his credentials after victories over Kopylov and Azamat, suggesting those wins do not justify the attention Baranieski is drawing.
Why it matters
- Guskov operates at light heavyweight while Costa sits at middleweight, making any potential matchup a cross-divisional conversation that would require one fighter to move.
- A dispute over who rejected a proposed bout with Baranieski keeps that rivalry simmering alongside the Costa callout.
- Guskov's submission threat combined with Costa's elite striking volume would make for a compelling stylistic contrast if talks ever materialize.
