\n<\/p>\n
Los Angeles \u2014 Light heavyweight Iwo Baraniewski has had a quick rise up the division since arriving in the UFC late last year.<\/p>\n
A winner on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n 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\u2019s facing.<\/p>\n \u201cI watched his fights, I know that he\u2019s a very dangerous striker,\u201d Baraniewski admitted during this week\u2019s UFC 331 media day. \u201cI know that he\u2019s an experienced fighter, but I\u2019m ready for it. And this is, for me, a good chance to get into the top 15.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cI think two options will be, maybe like you say, he rush on me, but I\u2019m ready for it. But I think maybe he will be waiting for a counter. So we will see on Saturday,\u201d noted Baraniewski. \u201cI am ready for these two options, I have planned for this two options, and we\u2019ll see. Maybe it will be a brawl like my debut.\u201d<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cYeah 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.\u201d<\/p>\n