Los Angeles — Light heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski has had a quick rise up the division since arriving in the UFC late last year.
A winner on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2025, Baraniewski debuted in December and has gone three for three, with three first-round finishes collecting three Performance of the Night bonuses. His total fight time, cumulative, between the three bouts is still less than five minutes.
Now, Baraniewski (9-0) gets a step up in competition against Alonzo Menifield at UFC 331 this Saturday, and the Polish up-and-comer is well aware of the danger he’s facing.
“I watched his fights, I know that he’s a very dangerous striker,” Baraniewski admitted during this week’s UFC 331 media day. “I know that he’s an experienced fighter, but I’m ready for it. And this is, for me, a good chance to get into the top 15.”
Baraniewski sees one of two possibilities playing out in the fight. In one, Menifield comes out guns blazing, in the other, he sits back and waits to counter.
“I think two options will be, maybe like you say, he rush on me, but I’m ready for it. But I think maybe he will be waiting for a counter. So we will see on Saturday,” noted Baraniewski. “I am ready for these two options, I have planned for this two options, and we’ll see. Maybe it will be a brawl like my debut.”
Having previously competed in Judo, where he won a Bronze medial at the World Junior Championships in 2018, Baraniewski has seen an uptick in interest as his UFC career has progressed.
“Yeah I feel it, I feel it a lot on my social media, and it is another motivation for me to show you more, and win another fight.”
Watch the full UFC 331 media day appearance by Iwo Baraniewski above.