UFC 328 suffers big blow as former champion withdraws from card with injury

Apr 18, 2026 - 13:30

Jan Blachowicz has announced he’s out of UFC 328 with a torn meniscus.

The former UFC light heavyweight champion was scheduled to face Bogdan Guskov on the New Jersey card in a rematch of their draw at UFC 323 last December.

Jan Blachowicz of Poland poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at The O2 on March 21, 2025 in London, England — Blachowicz won the light heavyweight title in 2020 and defended it once against Israel Adesanya

However, writing on Instagram Saturday, Blachowicz revealed a late injury that has forced him to pull out of the card.

Blachowicz out of UFC 328 – but not retiring yet

“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” the 43-year-old said.

“I was supposed to be in the States next week, but plans had to change.

“I’m beyond p****d. 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.”

The news of Blachowicz’s injury has prompted concern among MMA fans, given that the Polish light heavyweight is 43 years old.

But Blachowicz said that his latest injury will not send him into retirement.

“But this isn’t the end!” he added.

“I’m already working on getting back as soon as possible. Coming back to finish things on my own terms.”

Who’s fighting at UFC 328?

UFC 328 is headlined by a middleweight title clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.

Khamzat Chimaev poses with UFC title alongside Sean Strickland — Chimaev vs Strickland is set to be an all-out war

Joe Rogan talks to Khamzat Chimaev of the United Arab Emirates after his middleweight title bout victory in UFC 319 at the United Center on August 16, 2025 in Chicago, Illinois — Chimaev, 15-0, is the UFC middleweight king

Chimaev defeated Dricus du Plessis at UFC 319 last August to become champion, while Strickland knocked out Anthony Hernandez last time out to cement his status as a title challenger.

“Strickland looked incredible in his last performance,” UFC president Dana White said of the main event.

“How much security do you think we’re going to need for Chimaev vs Strickland?

“The main event is the fight that people have been waiting for for a long time.”

The card also features Joshua Van’s first flyweight title defence against Tatsuro Taira.

Van was meant to fight Taira in the co-main event of UFC 327, but a minor injury to the champion caused the fight to be delayed.

Joshua Van of Myanmar reacts to his TKO win in the UFC flyweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada — Van defends his flyweight title in the co-main event of UFC 328

Other notable matchups include a heavyweight bout between Alexander Volkov and Waldo Cortes-Acosta, and Sean Brady vs Joaquin Buckley in a top-ranked welterweight fight.