Bogdan Guskov Bio
Bogdan Vladimirovich Guskov (born 12 September 1992) is an Uzbek professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As of 9 September 2025, he is ranked #11 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Fighting under the ring name “Czarevitch,” he is recognized for his finishing ability and well-rounded skill set developed through years of striking and grappling training.
Born in Uzbekistan to an ethnic Russian family, Guskov built his career from humble beginnings before moving to Russia and eventually signing with the UFC in 2023. He holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and represents the GOR MMA American Top Team camp. With a professional record of 18 wins and 3 losses, he has quickly established himself as one of the rising contenders in the light heavyweight division.
Early Life and Background
Bogdan Vladimirovich Guskov was born on 12 September 1992 in the village of Dukent, Uzbekistan, and grew up in a poor household. As a child, he was involved in several sports, first athletics and then volleyball, before eventually finding his way into the gym and becoming interested in street fighting. His mother opposed his pursuit of martial arts, but his aunt stepped in to pay for his early boxing and kickboxing classes until a competition victory allowed him to train for free.
Guskov attended the Dukent Radio Engineering College, where he received a secondary specialized education as a welder. At the age of 19, he relocated to Moscow, stepping away from sports for three years to work as an installer of ventilation systems. Due to low wages, he took on additional work as a bouncer at a club, an experience that introduced him to the nickname “Yugoslav.” His earliest professional bouts were fought under the ring name “Hugo” before he adopted the moniker “Czarevitch,” choosing it because he wanted something distinctive and unusual.
After spending years away from competition, Guskov returned to sports at the age of 22, entering local boxing and kickboxing tournaments. Although he found success in those formats, he felt that the emotional intensity was missing, which motivated him to transition into mixed martial arts. This decision ultimately set the foundation for his professional fighting career, which officially began in late 2015.
Path to MMA
Bogdan Guskov made his professional MMA debut on 20 December 2015, defeating Biksultan Saburzhanov in the first round. From there, he built experience across a wide range of regional and international promotions, including MMA-SERIES, MPL, FIGHT NIGHT GLOBAL, Gladius Glory Championship, Golden Team Championship, Alliance Fighting Championships, Battle of Titans, Zolotoy Vityaz MMA Golden Knight, and Tech-Krep FC. These early appearances allowed him to refine his striking and grappling against a variety of styles.
Through consistent performances on the regional circuit, Guskov compiled a record of 14 wins and 2 losses, including a four-fight winning streak that caught the attention of the UFC. His finishing instincts and ability to perform under pressure helped him secure a contract with the world’s premier mixed martial arts organization. By the time of his signing, he had already established himself as a knockout threat, a fact he would quickly demonstrate on the sport’s biggest stage.
Bogdan Guskov Career
Early Career (2015–2023)
Guskov’s early professional years were defined by activity and steady improvement. Competing across multiple Russian and regional promotions, he faced a variety of opponents and steadily built a reputation as a dangerous finisher. His willingness to accept fights on short notice and his comfort inside the cage helped him gain valuable experience before reaching the global stage.
During this developmental period, Guskov captured the attention of scouts with a four-fight winning streak that improved his record to 14–2. This run included victories in promotions such as Tech-Krep FC and Battle of Titans, solidifying his standing as a top prospect in the light heavyweight division. Ultimately, the streak served as his ticket to the UFC, where he would be matched against some of the division’s most experienced names.
UFC Debut and Rise (2023–2024)
Making his UFC debut on 2 September 2023 at UFC Fight Night 226, Guskov faced a top-15 ranked opponent in Volkan Oezdemir after stepping in on short notice to replace Azamat Murzakanov. The fight did not go his way, as he was submitted via a rear-naked choke in the first round, suffering his third professional loss. Despite the setback, the opportunity to face a ranked opponent on short notice demonstrated his readiness to test himself against elite competition.
Guskov rebounded emphatically on 10 February 2024 at UFC Fight Night 236, where he knocked out Zac Pauga in the first round to earn his first UFC victory. The performance was impressive enough to earn him a Performance of the Night award. He followed that up on 27 April 2024 at UFC on ESPN 55, defeating Ryan Spann via technical knockout from ground-and-pound strikes. That victory earned him his second Performance of the Night award, cementing his status as a finisher inside the Octagon.
Current Form and Ranking Climb (2025)
Originally scheduled to face Johnny Walker on 18 January 2025 at UFC 311, Guskov instead fought promotional newcomer Billy Elekana after Walker withdrew due to injury. He submitted Elekana via a guillotine choke in the second round, extending his UFC win streak and announcing his presence as a contender in the light heavyweight division. The victory demonstrated his evolving ground game, complementing the striking power he had previously showcased.
On 26 July 2025 at UFC on ABC 9, Guskov added another signature win to his resume, stopping Nikita Krylov via technical knockout in the first round. The win over the experienced Krylov pushed his record to 18–3 and further elevated his stock. As of 9 September 2025, he sits at #11 in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, a position that places him within striking distance of a title eliminator bout. Looking ahead, Guskov is scheduled to face former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion Jan Błachowicz at UFC 323 on 6 December 2025, in a fight originally planned for UFC Fight Night 265 on 22 November 2025.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the signature moments of Guskov’s UFC tenure, his back-to-back Performance of the Night awards in 2024 stand out, earned for his knockout of Zac Pauga and his technical knockout of Ryan Spann. His first-round stoppage of Nikita Krylov in 2025 was another milestone, reinforcing his place among the division’s rising contenders. A scheduled bout with former champion Jan Błachowicz at UFC 323 represents the highest-profile test of his career to date.
Bogdan Guskov Career Wins
Bogdan Guskov has compiled 18 professional victories across multiple promotions and weight classes, with finishes accounting for a significant share of his wins. His UFC career alone includes notable victories over Zac Pauga, Ryan Spann, Billy Elekana, and Nikita Krylov. Outside the UFC, he built an extensive resume across regional circuits in Russia and Central Asia, including promotions such as FIGHT NIGHT GLOBAL, Tech-Krep FC, and Gladius Glory Championship.
UFC Highlights
Since signing with the UFC, Guskov has earned four victories inside the Octagon, each of which has come by finish. His debut UFC win came by first-round knockout against Zac Pauga, while his second came by way of ground-and-pound technical knockout versus Ryan Spann. He then submitted Billy Elekana with a guillotine choke and followed it with a first-round technical knockout of Nikita Krylov, positioning himself as one of the most dangerous finishers in the light heavyweight division.
Other Wins and Performances
Before joining the UFC, Guskov fought extensively on the Russian regional circuit, where he earned victories in promotions including MMA-SERIES, MPL, FIGHT NIGHT GLOBAL, Gladius Glory Championship, Golden Team Championship, Alliance Fighting Championships, Battle of Titans, Zolotoy Vityaz MMA Golden Knight, and Tech-Krep FC. These performances helped him compile a 14–2 pre-UFC record and ultimately earned him a contract with the world’s leading MMA organization.
Bogdan Guskov Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Bogdan Guskov was born into an ethnic Russian family in the village of Dukent, Uzbekistan, where he grew up in modest circumstances. His mother was initially opposed to his involvement in martial arts, but his aunt played a pivotal role in his early development by funding his boxing and kickboxing training. This family support allowed him to continue pursuing combat sports during his formative years and eventually helped shape his path to a professional fighting career.
Personal Life
Outside of competition, Guskov currently resides in Dukent, Uzbekistan, where he maintains strong ties to his hometown and its community. He is associated with the GOR MMA American Top Team camp, where he continues to train and develop his skills. He holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting his commitment to ongoing growth as a well-rounded mixed martial artist.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season has marked a turning point in Bogdan Guskov’s UFC career, beginning with a second-round guillotine choke submission of Billy Elezana at UFC 311 in January. He followed that performance with a first-round technical knockout of seasoned veteran Nikita Krylov at UFC on ABC 9 in July, a result that pushed him into the upper tier of the light heavyweight rankings. These wins have demonstrated growth in both his striking power and his submission game, reinforcing his reputation as a well-rounded finisher.
As of 9 September 2025, Guskov holds the #11 spot in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings, placing him within range of a potential title eliminator opportunity. The November 2025 scheduling change that moved his fight with former champion Jan Błachowicz to UFC 323 on 6 December 2025 suggests the promotion views him as a credible contender capable of headlining marquee cards. With momentum on his side and a high-profile matchup on the horizon, Guskov appears poised to make a serious push toward the top five of the division.