UFC 323: Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan Preview & Prediction
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A light heavyweight tilt serves as the third fight of the evening, with DWCS graduate Iwo Baraniewksi facing off against Ibo Aslan.
Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan facts
What time are Iwo Baraniewski and Ibo Aslan expected to walk out?
Where is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? T-Mobile Arena, Paradise, USA
Where can I get tickets for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2
What TV channel is UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+
Where can I stream UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 main card
Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan (Bantamweight)
Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van (Flyweight)
Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira (Flyweight)
Henry Cejudo vs Payton Talbott (Bantamweight)
Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 prelims
Grant Dawson vs Manuel Torres (Lightweight)
Terrance McKinney vs Chris Duncan (Lightweight)
Maycee Barber vs Karine Silva (Women’s Flyweight)
Nazim Sadykhov vs Fares Ziam (Lightweight)
Marvin Vettori vs Brunno Ferreira (Middleweight)
Edson Barboza vs Jalin Turner (Lightweight)
Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan (Light Heavyweight)
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs Antonio Trocoli (Middleweight)
Muhammad Naimov vs Mairon Santos (Featherweight)
Iwo Baraniewski: The Contender Series graduate looks to build on the momentum of a huge KO win last time out
Punching his ticket to the promotion with a wicked knockout over Mahamed Aly on the Contender Series in September, Iwo Baraniewski (6-0) arrives in the UFC looking to maintain his 100% finishing rate. A highly decorated judoka who turned pro after a storied amateur career, "Rudy" appears to be an intriguing addition to the ranks at 205 pounds. In addition to his grappling credentials, he's clearly got brutal power in his fists, presenting a daunting prospect for anybody at light heavyweight. However, as with all fighters who have yet to have a contest leave the first stanza, questions linger as to how the Pole will react should the fight enter the later rounds.
Ibo Aslan: "The Last Ottoman" finds himself potentially fighting for his job despite starting his UFC tenure in impressive fashion
Entering his fifth UFC fight following back-to-back defeats to Ion Cutelaba and Billy Elekana, it's been a rough 2025 for Ibo Aslan (14-3). With hindsight, it's somewhat unsurprising; even in victory, "The Last Ottoman's" UFC wins haven't exactly aged well. Anton Turkalj is no longer with the promotion after losing all four of his UFC appearances, while Rafael Cerqueira's current UFC record also currently stands at 0-4. Aslan is undoubtedly dangerous, boasting a 100% finish rate in victory courtesy of a ferociously aggressive striking game. However, his recent run of form justifiably begs the question as to whether his style and fight IQ consistently falters in the face of higher quality opponents.
Iwo Baraniewski vs Ibo Aslan prediction
It's amazing what a difference two fights can make. Aslan would have likely been the favorite heading into this one prior to his current two fight skid, but he now finds himself as the underdog against a smaller man with less than half his overall MMA experience.
With hindsight, there's a strong argument to be made that it's easy to see what a miscalculation such odds would have been. "The Last Ottoman" looked impressive in his first two fights with the promotion, but he was fighting opposition who have categorically been proved to not be UFC level competition. A closer look at his pre-UFC career also reveals an alarming number of cans on his record; Aslan has a victory over an 18-21 fighter as recently as 2022.
By contrast, the younger Baraniewski is undoubtedly unproven at the highest level but looks to possess a considerably more well-rounded skillset. He's also contentiously fought better levels of competition at this young stage in his career than Aslan had. Furthermore, the Pole is riding the momentum of a highlight reel stoppage victory in September, while Aslan will be dealing with the mental ramifications of the first two-fight skid of his career.
In short, Baraniewski clobbers Aslan early and pounces on him for the stoppage, either finishing with ground and pound or latching up a submission for the debut "W."
Prediction: Iwo Baraniewski to win by stoppage
