This is the UFC 323 live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov, the main card light heavyweight bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Blachowicz (29-11-1) is winless in his past three outings, including consecutive losses to Carlos Ulberg and Alex Pereira. The former UFC champion still holds on to a tie for the No. 6 spot in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings and represents the biggest step up in competition yet for the hard-hitting Guskov. Should Blachowicz win, it will be his first time seeing his hand raised since May 2022.
For Guskov, this represents a chance to leapfrog into the top 10 of the rankings. Currently at No. 11, Guskov recently picked up a big knockout of Nikita Krylov to record his fourth straight victory. He is currently 18-3 with all of his wins coming by way of finish, including 15 knockouts.
Check out the UFC 323 live blog for Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov below.
Blachowicz and Guskov kick off the last main card of the pay-per-view era. How much does the former light heavyweight champion have left in the tank? Is Guskov ready for this jump up in comp?
Close one here, but Guskov is the slight favorite at -126 according to FanDuel. The more veteran Blachowicz can be had at +108.
Jason Herzog your referee for the first main card fight of the evening. Guskov flicking out his left hand as Blachowicz counters with a leg kick. Guskov answers with leg kicks of his own. Both fighters showing each other a lot of respect as they work from range. Not a lot to score through two minutes.
Good leg kick from Blachowicz, Guskov felt that one. He catches him low and goes high, but Guskov avoids the heavier strike. Quick left from Guskov had Blachowicz backing up. There’s a hard jab from Blachowicz, and now it’s Guskov feeling the effects. Blachowicz sticking with leg kicks. Blachowicz with a 1-2 and he has the early advantage. Guskov comes forward with a flurry, but Blachowicz’s defense holds. Nod to Blachowicz after one.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Blachowicz. Overall, 10-9 Blachowicz.
Leg kick and a stiff jab from Blachowicz. Guskov has to find the timing or he’s going to get picked apart. Another Blachowicz jab gets through. Out of nowhere, right hand bomb from Guskov and down goes Blachowicz. The former champ has enough wherewithal to get Guskov in his guard, but he’s not out of danger. Guskov passes into half guard and he’s scoring with ground-and-pound. Blachowicz attacks the leg, nothing there yet.
Blachowicz cranking on the ankle, but the position isn’t there and Guskov knows it. Guskov content to attack from top position. Elbows from Guskov up top, Blachowicz not offering much from bottom position. Smothering and effective offense from Guskov, who is running away with this round. Blachowicz is bloodied. Big elbow on the side of Blachowicz’s head by Guskov as he finishes the round strong.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8, Guskov. Overall, 19-18 Guskov.
Outside leg kick from Jan. Guskov answers with a right down the middle. He looks confident. Exchange of punches and Guskov got the better of it slipping in another right. Another right lands for Guskov, Blachowicz is not seeing it. Guskov’s hands are actually down, he’s inviting Blachowicz to come at him. Another right by Guskov lands clean.
Blachowicz lunges in and lands… something? Guskov seems to think he got eye-poked, but he shakes it off. Blachowicz upping the volume now with two minutes to go. Guskov goes back to the right hand with success. Blachowicz kicks Guskov hard to the body. He’s pushing forward, he knows he needs a big round. But he’s running out of time. Another good jab by Blachowicz. He scores with a left. Body shot by Blachowicz and Guskov goes down, not sure if that was a slip? Either way, Blachowicz should have this round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Blachowicz. Overall, 28-28.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov ends in a majority draw (29-28 Blachowicz, 28-28, 28-28)
