Iwo Baraniewski vs. Alonzo MenifieldW
UFC 331 · September 19, 2026 · Crypto.com Arena · Main Card 9:00 PM ET
The brief
- The result
- Alonzo Menifield by Decision (split), R3
- What kind of fight
- Undefeated prospect vs. durable veteran
- Finish likelihood
- High
- The line
- Baraniewski -250 · Menifield +200Consensus (multiple sportsbooks)
- The stakes
- Light Heavyweight · Main Card
The result
Alonzo Menifield def. Iwo Baraniewski — Decision (split), R3 5:00
Alonzo Menifield handed previously unbeaten Iwo Baraniewski the first loss of his career, grinding out a split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29) despite fighting through a broken left thumb.
Baraniewski rocked Menifield with his right hook and had the better of the grappling exchanges early, but Menifield fought through the injury to apply pressure and land the heavier volume over the final two rounds.
The breakdown below was written before the fight.
The read
Baraniewski's perfect finishing record is impressive, but Menifield's experience against legitimate UFC competition and his own knockout power make this a genuine crossroads fight.
If Baraniewski can close distance behind his judo-based entries, his finishing instincts are live; if Menifield keeps this at range and lands first, his own knockout power could end the prospect's unbeaten run.
A tight, violent fight that could end early for either man.
The matchup
This is a clash of trajectories: an undefeated, finish-everyone prospect against a durable veteran on a three-fight win streak of his own.
Baraniewski's judo base and heavy hands have ended every one of his nine pro fights, but he has never faced anyone with Menifield's power or UFC-tested chin.
Menifield has been finished before, giving Baraniewski a real puncher's chance if the prospect's aggression translates against the toughest opponent of his career.
Tale of the tape
| 9-0 | Record | 18-6-1 |
| 27 | Age | 38 |
| 6'0" | Height | — |
| 73" | Reach | — |
| — | Stance | — |
| Poland | Country | United States |
| — | Team | — |
The numbers
Career UFC averages. Red bar = statistical edge.
The fighters
Iwo Baraniewski 9-0
Iwo Baraniewski is a 27-year-old Polish light heavyweight prospect who has finished all nine of his professional opponents, seven by strikes and two by submission. A former competitive judoka who placed third at a junior world championship before turning to MMA, he has earned Performance of the Night bonuses in each of his three UFC wins — over Ibo Aslan, Austen Lane and Junior Tafa. He now faces his stiffest test yet in veteran Alonzo Menifield, with a win putting him in the light heavyweight rankings conversation.
Has never lost.
- WJunior Tafa · KO/TKO (leg kick and punches)UFC Fight Night: Muhammad vs. Bonfim · June 6, 2026
- WAusten Lane · KO/TKOUFC Fight Night · March 21, 2026
- WIbo Aslan · KO/TKOUFC 323 · December 6, 2025
Alonzo Menifield 18-6-1
“Atomic”
Alonzo "Atomic" Menifield is a 38-year-old American light heavyweight and a UFC veteran since 2018, currently inside the division's top 15. He has won three straight, decisions over Oumar Sy and Julius Walker before a first-round TKO of Zhang Mingyang in May 2026, and now faces the toughest test of his current streak in undefeated prospect Iwo Baraniewski.
- WZhang Mingyang · KO/TKOUFC Fight Night · May 30, 2026
- WOumar Sy · Decision (unanimous)UFC Fight Night · June 14, 2025
- WJulius Walker · DecisionUFC Fight Night · February 22, 2025