Bogdan Guskov has expressed interest in facing Paulo Costa in the octagon. According to Ivo Baranieski, he agreed to fight Guskov, but Guskov declined the bout. Guskov stated he is a Russian fighter raised in Uzbekistan and is ready to enter the cage at any time, vowing to make Baranieski eat his words. Guskov's coach Gor Azizyan criticized Baranieski for talking excessively after beating Kopylov and Azamat, suggesting his wings need clipping. Azizyan added that if Baranieski refuses the Guskov fight, he should stop discussing Russian fighters altogether.
Bogdan Guskov has publicly called out former middleweight contender Paulo Costa while also firing back at Ivo Baranieski, who claimed Guskov turned down a fight with him.
Guskov, who competes at light heavyweight, carries an 18-3-1 record and is currently ranked tenth in his division. The 33-year-old, who describes himself as a Russian fighter raised in Uzbekistan, represents GOR MMA and stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach. Fighting out of an orthodox stance, he lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, suggesting a well-rounded game with finishing ability on the ground.
Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight, would represent a notable cross-divisional target for Guskov. The Brazilian, nicknamed "The Eraser," is 35 years old and holds a 16-4-0 professional record. He is one of the more prolific strikers in the UFC, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy, making him a dangerous opponent for anyone willing to stand and trade.
The situation with Baranieski adds another layer to the story. According to Baranieski, he agreed to face Guskov, only for Guskov's side to decline. Guskov pushed back on that framing and vowed to make Baranieski answer for his comments. Guskov's coach Gor Azizyan went further, criticizing Baranieski for speaking out of turn after wins over Kopylov and Azamat, and suggesting his momentum has given him an inflated sense of standing. Azizyan made clear that if Baranieski backs away from the Guskov fight, he should stop weighing in on Russian fighters altogether.
Why it matters
- Guskov is a top-ten light heavyweight looking to elevate his profile with a high-name callout
- A potential cross-divisional matchup with Costa would be an unconventional but marketable bout
- The Baranieski situation could develop into a ranked light heavyweight matchup if both sides agree to terms
