Bogdan Guskov has expressed interest in fighting Paulo Costa. According to Ivo Baraniewski, he accepted a fight with Guskov, but Bogdan declined the matchup. Gor Azizyan criticized Guskov, saying he became talkative after beating Kopylov and Azamat, and suggested Guskov should stop discussing Russian opponents if he won't accept fights. The situation highlights tensions around Guskov's callouts versus his willingness to accept available matchups.
Bogdan Guskov has publicly called out Paulo Costa while simultaneously turning down an available fight against Iwo Baraniewski, drawing sharp criticism from those within his orbit.
Guskov, known as "Czarevitch," holds a 18-3-1 record and sits ranked tenth in the UFC light heavyweight division. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan stands six-foot-three with a 76-inch reach and fights out of GOR MMA. He lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy and averages 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a well-rounded threat on the feet and on the mat.
Costa, ranked thirteenth at middleweight, carries a 16-4-0 record and fights out of Brazil under the Team Borracha banner. The 35-year-old stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and is one of the division's most prolific strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 58 percent accuracy.
Baraniewski, the fighter Guskov reportedly declined, is unbeaten at 8-0-0 and only 27 years old. The orthodox striker posts a remarkable 15.77 significant strikes landed per minute at 70 percent accuracy, numbers that suggest Guskov's reluctance was not without reason — though it has not gone unnoticed.
Gor Azizyan was direct in his criticism, suggesting Guskov became vocal only after victories over Kopylov and Azamat, and called on him to stop discussing Russian opponents if he is unwilling to accept those matchups when they are offered.
Why it matters
- Guskov's refusal of an available opponent while issuing a high-profile callout raises questions about his competitive positioning at light heavyweight.
- A move to middleweight to face Costa would require a division change for Guskov, adding another layer of complexity to the callout.
- The public criticism from Azizyan signals internal tensions within Guskov's training environment that could influence his next steps.
