Błachowicz pulls out of UFC 328 with torn meniscus

Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz has been forced out of his rematch with Bogdan Guskov at UFC 328, scheduled for May 9, 2026, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, after suffering a torn meniscus. The withdrawal comes just two days before the event, leaving the card's light heavyweight representation in doubt as the UFC has yet to announce whether Guskov will receive a replacement opponent or whether the fight will be rescheduled.

Błachowicz, the former KSW and UFC light heavyweight champion, was set to meet Guskov in a rematch that carried significant divisional weight for both men.

Guskov, known as "Czarevitch," now finds himself without an opponent at short notice. The 33-year-old from Uzbekistan carries a record of 18-3-1 and is currently ranked tenth in the light heavyweight division. Fighting out of GOR MMA, the six-foot-three, 191 cm striker brings a 76-inch reach and an aggressive stand-up game to go with it. He lands 4.17 significant strikes per minute at an impressive 55 percent accuracy, and while he attempts no takedowns, he pursues submissions at a rate of 1.1 per 15 minutes, suggesting a willingness to engage on the ground when the opportunity arises.

Why it matters

• Błachowicz's injury removes a former champion from the card two days out, leaving a notable gap in the light heavyweight lineup.
• Guskov, ranked tenth, loses a high-profile opportunity to climb the division against a recognizable name.
• The UFC's response — whether a replacement is found or the bout is postponed — will determine how much the withdrawal disrupts Guskov's ranking trajectory heading into the summer.