Jan Blachowicz will not be competing at UFC 328, withdrawing from his rematch with Bogdan Guskov after suffering a torn meniscus during sparring.
The former light heavyweight champion announced the injury on Saturday, expressing his frustration in a direct and candid statement.
"Don't count your chickens before they hatch," Blachowicz wrote. "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. See you soon!"
Blachowicz and Guskov were set to meet for the second time after their first fight at UFC 323 in December ended in a majority draw. Guskov appeared to have the victory secured after battering Blachowicz in the second round, but Blachowicz scored a late knockdown that forced the stalemate on the scorecards. The rematch was announced for UFC 328 to settle the unfinished business between the two.
Whether the UFC will rebook the Blachowicz and Guskov matchup once Blachowicz has recovered, or find a new opponent for Guskov in the interim, has not been announced.
The withdrawal adds another difficult chapter to what has been a rough stretch for the 43-year-old. Blachowicz has not won a fight since defeating Aleksandar Rakic in May 2022. Since then he has dropped decisions to Carlos Pereira and Alex Pereira and fought to draws against both Guskov and Magomed Ankalaev.
UFC 328 takes place May 9 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, headlined by Khamzat Chimaev defending the middleweight championship against Sean Strickland in the main event and flyweight champion Joshua Van defending against Tatsuroa Taira in the co-main event.
