Bogdan Guskov stormed his way into the top 10 of the light heavyweight division with a thunderous first-round KO over Nikita Krylov in July. Guskov has since fallen out of his top 10 ranking, but gets another chance at a big jump when facing #5 Jan Blachowicz this weekend.
“Obviously, I thought about having somebody with a name to fight, but I was surprised it was Jan specifically,” Guskov stated during Wednesday’s UFC 323 media day. “I thought somebody maybe in the top 7-8 rank, but not Blachowicz. I was very surprised, and I hope that I’ll do diligence to this opportunity.”
As a former champion, Blachowicz introduces a unique skillset and fighting style. The Polish veteran often controls the pace and traps opponents with his power. Guskov plans to deal with this tricky style in his own way,
“I can’t talk for other fighters, why they were following his pace or whatever. What I can say about his legendary Polish Power is that I’ll have to counter it with my Russian or Uzbek IQ and my speed, and we’ll see how the fight goes.”
While Guskov hasn’t garnered too much popularity or shown too much personality, he keeps getting big matchups. Guskov believes that his finishing capability and the excitement he brings inside the cage are behind his push.
“I don’t think it has to do with me personally as a person. I think it’s more my fighting style. If you look at my fights, there are lots of finishes, lots of knockouts, and the UFC is interested in that. So I think they see it, the crowd sees it, and they want me to get up to the title.”
With the division in a tricky spot and the champion’s future plans unknown, Guskov is hoping to insert himself in the title picture with a win. A win over a former champion and respected veteran like Blachowicz could very well place him in that conversation.
“From what I understand, it seems as though ‘Poatan’ [champ Alex Pereira] is trying to go up to the Heavyweight division. If there’s going to be some sort of belt, there’s probably going to be a fight between Jiri and Ulberg. But when it comes to me, the goal is the victory this Saturday, then I want to put my name into that race for the title.”
When asked if he would be ready in case an opportunity arises, Guskov left no doubt. Despite preferring not to fight countryman Magomed Ankalaev, Guskov remains willing to take on anyone the promotion has to offer.
“I came here to fight, so if I get an opportunity, I’ll be the first one to answer it.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Bogdan Guskov above. He takes on Jan Blachowicz at UFC 323 in Las Vegas on Saturday.
