The upcoming UFC 328 card has taken a big hit as a light heavyweight contender has announced his withdrawal from the event.
Former UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, who was set to fight Bogdan Guskov in a rematch on the main card, took to his social media this week to announce he was forced to withdraw from the event due to injury. According to the Polish fighter, he suffered a torn meniscus during a recent training session, leading to him pulling out of the fight with Guskov.
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. I was supposed to be in the States next week, but plans had to change. I’m beyond pissed. Last round of sparring, wrong position, and a kick to the knee. Torn meniscus. The plan and goal were clear, so the disappointment is huge. But this isn’t the end! I’m already working on getting back as soon as possible. Coming back to finish things on my own terms. (Glover Teixeira), it looks like I won’t get the chance to meet you on your mat for the second time. Third time’s the charm! See you soon! Oss,” Blachowicz wrote on his Instagram.
UFC 328 takes place on May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. The main event of the evening sees UFC middleweight champion Khamzat Chimaev take on bitter rival Sean Strickland, while the co-main event is a UFC flyweight title bout between champion Joshua Van and challenger Tatsuro Taira.
Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov Fought to a Draw at UFC 323
Blachowicz and Guskov were set for a rematch at UFC 328 before Blachowicz pulled out with an injury. The two fought last December at UFC 323, with the fight ending in a majority draw. With no finality to that first fight, the UFC decided to book an immediate rematch between the two.
Unfortunately, this rematch will not happen now at UFC 328, and there’s a chance it never happens. After all, Blachowicz is 43 years old, making him the second-oldest fighter on the UFC roster behind Stephen Thompson. That means Blachowicz only has limited time left in his UFC career, though he is still fighting at a high level, having been competitive with many of the division’s best fighters in recent years, including Carlos Ulberg, Alex Pereira, and Magomed Ankalaev.
A torn meniscus usually carries a recovery time of a few months, and then Blachowicz will have to complete another training camp, so at best, he’s looking at a return later this year. It’s unlikely that Guskov will want to wait around for him, so the UFC will likely re-book him against another opponent for UFC 328. Given that Guskov is ranked in the top 10, the promotion’s matchmakers will likely try to get him a ranked opponent, though, given the short notice of this injury, that won’t be easy to do. It’s possible, then, that Guskov will be moved to another card, instead.
UFC 328 Remains a Strong Card Even Without Blachowicz vs. Guskov 2
Even with Blachowicz vs. Guskov 2 falling off UFC 328, the card remains strong.
At the top of the bill, the dual title fights between Chimaev vs. Strickland and Van vs. Taira are two of the most intriguing fights on the UFC calendar right now.
In addition, there is a heavyweight bout featuring top contenders Alexander Volkov vs. Waldo Cortes-Acosta, a welterweight bout between Sean Brady vs. Joaquin Buckley, a lightweight bout between King Green vs. Jeremy Stephens, a welterweight bout between Joel Alvarez and Yaroslav Amosov, and a lightweight bout between Grant Dawson and Mateusz Rebecki.
While losing Blachowicz. vs. Guskov hurts, UFC 328 is still a very deep numbered card.
UFC 328 Takes Big Hit as Light Heavyweight Contender Announces Withdrawal