Career Averages - Ian Heinisch
Career Averages - Gerald Meerschaert
Ian Heinisch - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 39 of 96 | 40% | 46 of 103 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:11 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 24 of 52 | 46% | 25 of 53 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 16 of 35 | 45% | 23 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 14 of 25 | 56% | 15 of 26 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:03 | |
| 2 | Nassourdine Imavov | 0 | 23 of 61 | 37% | 23 of 61 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 10 of 27 | 37% | 10 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassourdine Imavov | 39 of 96 | 40% | 32 of 82 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 72 | 6 of 6 | 4 of 18 |
| Ian Heinisch | 24 of 52 | 46% | 4 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 18 of 23 | 22 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nassourdine Imavov | 16 of 35 | 45% | 11 of 28 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 31 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Ian Heinisch | 14 of 25 | 56% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 3 | 10 of 12 | 13 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Nassourdine Imavov | 23 of 61 | 37% | 21 of 54 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 17 of 41 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 18 |
| Ian Heinisch | 10 of 27 | 37% | 2 of 15 | 0 of 1 | 8 of 11 | 9 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Ian Heinisch but notes it's a close fight. He thinks Heinisch's wrestling and pressure will be key, but Imavov is a good counter-striker and has decent grappling. He expects Heinisch to win a decision or via grappling control. He likes the more/more on monkey knife fight because both fighters will be busy. He does not have Heinisch in his DraftKings lineup at $8,500 but thinks he's not a terrible play.
Big Brady picks Ian Heinisch by decision, citing a massive step down in competition for Heinisch and a step up for Imavov. He notes Heinisch can replicate Phil Hawes' game plan of holding Imavov against the cage and mixing takedowns. Despite Heinisch's low takedown accuracy (18%), he attributes it to facing elite wrestlers, while Imavov has been taken down frequently. He expects Heinisch's relentless wrestling and pace to overwhelm Imavov.
Cody picks Heinisch, arguing that Imavov is not a wrestler and that Heinisch will finally be able to strike without worrying about takedowns. He notes Heinisch has fought elite grapplers and has good takedown defense. He expects Heinisch to mix in his own wrestling and win by decision. He also likes the over.
Daniel Levi leans toward Ian Heinisch, acknowledging he should be favored but at the current price it's a pass or Imavov. He expects a close fight with clinch exchanges, predicting Heinisch via split decision. Levi notes that Heinisch has fought better competition but has been losing rounds, while Imavov is a dog who won't quit.
Jacob picks Ian Heinisch because he believes Heinisch will out-wrestle Imavov, who tends to accept grappling positions. He notes that Imavov gassed in his last fight against Jordan Williams and that Heinisch, being a tough Rikers guy, won't tire. He doesn't like Heinisch enough to put him in his DraftKings lineup because if the wrestling fails, things could go south quickly.
The host picks Ian Heinisch, citing his wrestling and pressure advantage over Imavov. He believes Heinisch will take Imavov down and control him, especially as the fight progresses. He notes Imavov's grappling deficiencies and recent hand injury. He likes Heinisch by decision at +145 and also mentions a potential third-round finish.
Paul also picks Heinisch, noting his move to Sanford MMA and improved training. He thinks Imavov looked awful against Phil Hawes and has poor ring IQ. He likes Heinisch's power and has a small bet on Heinisch by KO at +700 and round 1 KO at +2000. He thinks the finish props have value.
The Guru picks Heinisch, valuing his close decision loss to Kelvin Gastelum over Imavov's loss to Phil Hawes. He notes Heinisch's grappling, power, and solid chin, and believes Imavov is open to getting clipped early. He also mentions Heinisch is fighting to stay relevant. He predicts a TKO win.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 38 of 84 | 45% | 51 of 115 | 6 of 14 | 42% | 0 | 1 | 6:50 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 27 of 67 | 40% | 56 of 107 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 2 | 1 | 1:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 6 of 13 | 46% | 13 of 25 | 3 of 5 | 60% | 0 | 0 | 3:25 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 16 of 34 | 47% | 21 of 48 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:03 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 12 of 31 | 38% | 23 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Kelvin Gastelum | 0 | 16 of 37 | 43% | 17 of 42 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 1 | 1:22 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 23 of 44 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 1 | 1:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kelvin Gastelum | 38 of 84 | 45% | 20 of 62 | 10 of 13 | 8 of 9 | 28 of 69 | 8 of 11 | 2 of 4 |
| Ian Heinisch | 27 of 67 | 40% | 10 of 42 | 6 of 11 | 11 of 14 | 26 of 64 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kelvin Gastelum | 6 of 13 | 46% | 3 of 10 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Ian Heinisch | 6 of 15 | 40% | 0 of 7 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 6 | 6 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Kelvin Gastelum | 16 of 34 | 47% | 6 of 21 | 4 of 6 | 6 of 7 | 13 of 28 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 1 |
| Ian Heinisch | 12 of 31 | 38% | 5 of 20 | 3 of 6 | 4 of 5 | 12 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Kelvin Gastelum | 16 of 37 | 43% | 11 of 31 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 9 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 2 of 2 |
| Ian Heinisch | 9 of 21 | 42% | 5 of 15 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
Big Brady picks Kelvin Gastelum to win by decision, but with no confidence. He thinks Gastelum's recent losses are to top competition and that Heinisch is a step down. He believes Gastelum has better takedown defense, cardio, and striking. However, he acknowledges Gastelum has looked awful and Heinisch has heart and grit. He advises staying away from betting this fight.
Daniel Levi picks Kelvin Gastelum but with low confidence, calling it a 'dog or pass' situation. He acknowledges Gastelum is the better fighter on paper but questions his motivation and recent performances since the Adesanya fight. He notes Gastelum's inconsistency and that Heinisch could sneak a decision if Gastelum doesn't show up. He ultimately picks Gastelum as a pure pick but advises against betting him at -225.
The host believes Gastelum has the better hands and will be able to keep the fight on the feet, outstriking Heinisch. He notes that Heinisch's grappling-heavy style has struggled against wrestlers like Brunson and Akhmedov, and that Gastelum is a crafty grappler himself. He predicts a third-round TKO as Gastelum's power and pace overwhelm Heinisch late.
The Guru picks Kelvin Gastelum, believing he is more technical and has better takedown defense. He notes that Ian Heinisch slows down in later rounds, and Gastelum's youth and cardio will allow him to push the pace and finish Heinisch in the third round via TKO. He compares the matchup to Gastelum's win over Tim Kennedy.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 1 | 20 of 25 | 80% | 22 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 1 | 20 of 25 | 80% | 22 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 20 of 25 | 80% | 17 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 20 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 20 of 25 | 80% | 17 of 22 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 15 of 20 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 10 | 30% | 1 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Back to the middleweight division we go, where we will get to see a match between Heinisch (13-3, 2-2 UFC) and Meerschaert (31-12, 6-4 UFC) that was briefly pulled from the lineup when one of Heinisch’s new cornermen tested positive for COVID-19. How the UFC can determine that the corner’s first test was a false positive and not that the second test was a false negative, we may never know. Everyone including referee Chris Tognoni has their fingers crossed for this one. There is no glove touch, and Heinisch nearly kicks out the lead leg on his first kick. He fires another, and Meerschaert does not wear it well. Heinisch targets that lead leg once more, and Meerschaert comes at him with a few long punches that glance off the target. “GM3” lands a body kick and comes up short with a left, but more importantly successfully avoids the counter right hand that flies at his head.
Heinisch ducks down and blasts him with a monster right hand that sets Meerschaert down, and “GM3” is hurt badly. “Hurricane” lets loose a storm of thunderous punches that continue to batter Meerschaert one after the other. Turtled up on his knees, Meerschaert keeps taking punches on both sides of his head until Tognoni has seen more than enough and calls the fight.
From being yanked off the card to recording a crushing victory in mere days, this is an important and emphatic win for Heinisch.
The Official Result
Ian Heinisch def. Gerald Meerschaert R1 1:14 via TKO (Punches)
Big Brady leans toward Ian Heinisch, believing the matchup favors him stylistically. He thinks Heinisch can close the distance, land takedowns, and avoid Meerschaert's BJJ. He notes Meerschaert's reach advantage and improved striking but feels Heinisch's wrestling and pressure will earn a close decision. He acknowledges Meerschaert is underrated.
Daniel finds it hard to cap Meerschaert because he often wins despite looking slow and unathletic. He sees this as a 50/50 fight and leans toward Meerschaert as the dog, citing his veteran savvy, jiu-jitsu black belt, and ability to capitalize on mistakes. He acknowledges Heinisch's cardio and will but thinks Meerschaert can snatch a submission or win a decision.
Ian Heinisch has great cardio and submission defense, which should help him avoid Gerald Meerschaert's submissions. Heinisch has the speed advantage and should be able to get in and out. However, his output has been a concern in past fights. If he lets his hands go, he can outpace Meerschaert. The pick is Heinisch, but not confident enough to bet.
The MMA Guru picks Ian Heinisch over Gerald Meerschaert. He questions the quality of Meerschaert's recent wins, noting that Trevin Giles and Deron Winn are overrated. He believes Heinisch's takedown defense and power will be too much, and that Heinisch will win by decision, becoming a mainstay in the rankings.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omari Akhmedov | 0 | 53 of 103 | 51% | 70 of 121 | 3 of 10 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 2:29 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 55 of 166 | 33% | 69 of 180 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omari Akhmedov | 0 | 13 of 28 | 46% | 17 of 32 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 19 of 54 | 35% | 21 of 56 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 | |
| 2 | Omari Akhmedov | 0 | 17 of 31 | 54% | 19 of 33 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:51 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 18 of 60 | 30% | 25 of 67 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Omari Akhmedov | 0 | 23 of 44 | 52% | 34 of 56 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 1:38 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 18 of 52 | 34% | 23 of 57 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omari Akhmedov | 53 of 103 | 51% | 26 of 62 | 13 of 27 | 14 of 14 | 46 of 94 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 3 |
| Ian Heinisch | 55 of 166 | 33% | 41 of 139 | 10 of 23 | 4 of 4 | 48 of 159 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omari Akhmedov | 13 of 28 | 46% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 8 | 9 of 9 | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Ian Heinisch | 19 of 54 | 35% | 12 of 46 | 4 of 5 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 52 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Omari Akhmedov | 17 of 31 | 54% | 7 of 17 | 7 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 15 of 28 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 |
| Ian Heinisch | 18 of 60 | 30% | 14 of 49 | 3 of 10 | 1 of 1 | 15 of 57 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Omari Akhmedov | 23 of 44 | 52% | 16 of 34 | 5 of 8 | 2 of 2 | 18 of 38 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 |
| Ian Heinisch | 18 of 52 | 34% | 15 of 44 | 3 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 16 of 50 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Brunson | 0 | 81 of 185 | 43% | 102 of 207 | 2 of 10 | 20% | 0 | 0 | 2:13 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 58 of 143 | 40% | 65 of 150 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derek Brunson | 0 | 16 of 42 | 38% | 27 of 54 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:58 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 21 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Derek Brunson | 0 | 29 of 55 | 52% | 35 of 61 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 13 of 34 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Derek Brunson | 0 | 36 of 88 | 40% | 40 of 92 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 0:37 |
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 26 of 66 | 39% | 31 of 71 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Derek Brunson | 81 of 185 | 43% | 51 of 142 | 26 of 37 | 4 of 6 | 69 of 170 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 6 |
| Ian Heinisch | 58 of 143 | 40% | 37 of 114 | 16 of 23 | 5 of 6 | 49 of 130 | 8 of 12 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Derek Brunson | 16 of 42 | 38% | 10 of 35 | 5 of 6 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 37 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Ian Heinisch | 19 of 43 | 44% | 8 of 31 | 7 of 8 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 36 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Derek Brunson | 29 of 55 | 52% | 21 of 41 | 7 of 11 | 1 of 3 | 23 of 48 | 1 of 1 | 5 of 6 |
| Ian Heinisch | 13 of 34 | 38% | 7 of 22 | 6 of 11 | 0 of 1 | 11 of 31 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Derek Brunson | 36 of 88 | 40% | 20 of 66 | 14 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 34 of 85 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Ian Heinisch | 26 of 66 | 39% | 22 of 61 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 24 of 63 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 15 of 33 | 45% | 25 of 43 | 4 of 11 | 36% | 0 | 1 | 6:23 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 0 | 39 of 67 | 58% | 79 of 115 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 4:42 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 8 of 12 | 66% | 13 of 17 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:11 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 0 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:05 | |
| 2 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 3 of 12 | 25% | 5 of 14 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 0 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 39 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:58 | |
| 3 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 4 of 9 | 44% | 7 of 12 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 0:45 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 0 | 20 of 33 | 60% | 32 of 50 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 15 of 33 | 45% | 10 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 4 | 11 of 28 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 39 of 67 | 58% | 26 of 48 | 2 of 5 | 11 of 14 | 13 of 31 | 5 of 7 | 21 of 29 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 8 of 12 | 66% | 5 of 8 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 3 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 3 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Ian Heinisch | 3 of 12 | 25% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 18 of 30 | 60% | 11 of 22 | 1 of 2 | 6 of 6 | 5 of 13 | 2 of 3 | 11 of 14 | |
| 3 | Ian Heinisch | 4 of 9 | 44% | 3 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Antônio Carlos Júnior | 20 of 33 | 60% | 15 of 26 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 7 of 14 | 3 of 4 | 10 of 15 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 0 | 26 of 55 | 47% | 38 of 68 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 5:20 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 1 | 55 of 95 | 57% | 90 of 133 | 1 of 7 | 14% | 2 | 0 | 1:30 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 6 of 9 | 66% | 7 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 0 | 13 of 21 | 61% | 20 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 2 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 9 of 18 | 50% | 18 of 27 | 3 of 4 | 75% | 0 | 0 | 1:28 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 1 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 3 | Ian Heinisch | 0 | 11 of 28 | 39% | 13 of 31 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:27 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 0 | 29 of 47 | 61% | 57 of 77 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ian Heinisch | 26 of 55 | 47% | 17 of 39 | 3 of 9 | 6 of 7 | 22 of 47 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 55 of 95 | 57% | 38 of 74 | 10 of 10 | 7 of 11 | 30 of 59 | 14 of 21 | 11 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ian Heinisch | 6 of 9 | 66% | 3 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 13 of 21 | 61% | 5 of 10 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 5 | 8 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 4 of 4 | |
| 2 | Ian Heinisch | 9 of 18 | 50% | 6 of 11 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 9 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 13 of 27 | 48% | 7 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 4 of 5 | 8 of 18 | 0 of 1 | 5 of 8 | |
| 3 | Ian Heinisch | 11 of 28 | 39% | 8 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 20 | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Cezar Ferreira | 29 of 47 | 61% | 26 of 44 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 14 of 26 | 13 of 18 | 2 of 3 |
Gerald Meerschaert - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 36 of 82 | 43% | 54 of 103 | 3 of 3 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 2:17 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 32 of 76 | 42% | 53 of 100 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 3 | 2 | 4:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 6 of 12 | 50% | 11 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 15 of 18 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 1 | 3:56 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 18 of 42 | 42% | 30 of 57 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 16 of 32 | 50% | 18 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 0 | 12 of 28 | 42% | 13 of 29 | 2 of 2 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 20 of 47 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 2 | 1 | 0:27 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacob Malkoun | 36 of 82 | 43% | 30 of 74 | 6 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 36 of 81 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 32 of 76 | 42% | 23 of 66 | 6 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 31 of 74 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jacob Malkoun | 6 of 12 | 50% | 5 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 4 of 5 | 80% | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 2 | Jacob Malkoun | 18 of 42 | 42% | 16 of 40 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 42 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 16 of 32 | 50% | 11 of 26 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 16 of 31 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jacob Malkoun | 12 of 28 | 42% | 9 of 23 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 12 of 39 | 30% | 9 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 39 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Malkoun (9-3; 5-3 UFC) enters the cage as a massive favorite against the reeling and overweight Meerschaert (37-21; 12-13 UFC), with Mike Beltran drwaing his first ref assignment of the evening. Malkoun is orthodox, Meerschaert southpaw, and it’s Malkoun connecting first with a solid right hand that backs the American off. Malkoun is the much faster man on the feet in the early going. Malkoun, bizarrely, changes levels for a takedown attempt against the fence and Meerschaert counters with his trademark guillotine. Malkoun is in real danger for a moment, but manages to extricate his neck. Meerschaert is in top position, in Malkoun’s half guard, looking perhaps to try for another guillotine. Half the round is down, and Meerschaert is still on top, in control. Malkoun manages to stick him back into full guard, but Meerschaert passes to half guard again near the base of the fence. Beltran is talking to them, presumably telling them to keep working, but it’s far from a static position, as they are moving and exchanging short shots. Meerschaert postures up and drops an elbow to the face. Meerschaert wraps up a guillotine from top position but can’t make a serious attempt out of it before the horn. 10-9 Meerschaert.
Round 2
They go back to work on the feet and once again, Malkoun’s edge in speed and accuracy is stark. Malkoun bounces into range against the taller man, pops him with a two or three-punch combo, then exits untouched, several times in a row. Meerschaert appears to be looking for the right moment to shoot for a takedown, but through 90 seconds he has not made a serious attempt. Malkoun backs him up to the fence and belts him with a right to the body. Meerschaert lands a glancing head kick, and Malkoun tags him with two punches. They collide in the pocket and Meeerschaert pulls guard. He controls Malkoun’s posture with a shoulder lock, but Malkoun pulls his right arm out of danger, sets up in Meerschaert’s half guard and throws a flurry of ground strikes. With under a minute to go, Malkoun throws a final series of punches and stands up out of his foe’s guard. Beltran motions Meerschaert to stand, and Malkoun quickly tags him with another series of punches. The round ends. 10-9 Malkoun.
Round 3
It’s anyone’s fight—on our scorecard, at least—as these two go back to work for Round 3. Malkoun stalks forward, sticking out his left jab, backing Meerschaert off. Malkoun is getting much the better of the orthodox vs. southpaw hand fight. A minute in, neither man has really committed to a power strike on the feet, but Malkoun has been the more active, more accurate man. Malkoun steps into the pocket and lands a clean three-piece combination that makes Meerschaert blink and back off. Malkoun hits him with a lead left. He is landing nearly at will, but not forcing the issue at all despite his clear superiority on the feet. Malkoun steps into the pocket and Meerschaert falls to guard in the ensuing collision. Malkoun follows him down, settles into his guard, but lets him back up a moment later. They return to the center of the cage and exchange strikes. Meerschaert is the aggressor, stalking forward and throwing single strikes. They collide and Meerschaert throws on a guillotine choke, shoving Malkoun to the canvas and trying for the last-second finish. It’s pretty obvious he won’t get it, but the round ends with the American on top and in control. The horn sounds on a strange, frankly lousy fight. 10-9 Malkoun (29-28 Malkoun).
The Official Result
Jacob Malkoun def. Gerald Meerschaert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo is extremely confident in Jacob Malkoun, calling Gerald Meerschaert washed and stating he has no chance. He criticizes Meerschaert's poor takedown defense and chin, and believes Malkoun's wrestling will dominate. He even threatens to ban anyone who picks Meerschaert by submission.
Cody picks Malkoun by TKO, noting Meerschaert's recent knockout losses and Malkoun's improved striking. He believes Malkoun will finish him early, possibly in the first round.
Connor agrees with Zane, calling Malkoun a smart technician who uses his jab and single-leg effectively. He notes that Meerschaert is a slow, aging fighter who relied on opponents being bad, and now faces a composed fighter who won't make those mistakes. He sees it as a clear win for Malkoun.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jacob Malkoun to knock out Gerald Meerschaert in the first round. He believes Malkoun's high pace and power will overwhelm Meerschaert, who he thinks is past his prime and likely to cover up when hit.
Malkoun is a massive favorite with an implied probability of 92%, but the odds offer no value. He is a solid MMA grappler with better wrestling, striking, cardio, and home advantage. Meerschaert is old, missed weight, and only has a Hail Mary submission path. The over 1.5 rounds at 1.64 is interesting because Malkoun is a decision eater and Meerschaert is tough, but not super confident due to Meerschaert's decline.
Lucrative James picks Jacob Malkoun to win via TKO. He believes Malkoun is a much better fighter and that Meerschaert is washed up. He notes Malkoun's wrestling and improved striking should be enough to finish Meerschaert, though he is not super confident on the method.
The host expects Malkoun to run through Meerschaert, citing Malkoun's superior BJJ, youth, and striking. He thinks Malkoun will get a TKO or submission inside the distance, as Meerschaert is on a four-fight losing streak and his durability is fading. The host does not like betting minus 1000 but expects a finish.
Paul picks Malkoun, citing his improved boxing and wrestling. He believes Malkoun will knock out Meerschaert, who has been knocked out repeatedly in the first round.
The MMA Guru picks Jacob Malkoun, noting he is a -1100 favorite but thinks the odds are too high. He praises Malkoun's skills and recent performances, while criticizing Gerald Meerschaert's recent losses and age. He acknowledges Meerschaert's submission threat but believes Malkoun is too good.
Zane picks Malkoun confidently, stating that Meerschaert is done—slow, old, and has been finished in three of his last four fights. He notes that Malkoun is a smart, strategic fighter with a good jab and single-leg takedown, which will be too much for Meerschaert's limited skills. He calls it a gentle send-off for Meerschaert.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Daukaus | 1 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Daukaus | 1 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 11 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kyle Daukaus | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kyle Daukaus | 8 of 11 | 72% | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Daukaus (-375), Meerschaert (+295)
Round 1
Herb Dean is the referee. Daukaus immediately tags Meerschaert with a straight left. Daukaus wades in with a straight left hand that rocks Meerschaert, who is already in retreat mode. Meerschaert falls to the floor after absorbing another shot. Daukaus follows him down and tees off with hammerfists before locking in a brabo choke.
Daukaus powers Meerschaert to his back and applies the squeeze, and it’s only a matter of moments before the veteran middleweight is forced to tap out.
Daukaus now has back-to-back first round finishes since returning to the UFC.
The Official Result
Kyle Daukaus def. Gerald Meerschaert via Submission (Brabo Choke) R1 0:50
Angelo picks Kyle Daukaus, noting that Gerald Meerschaert has poor takedown accuracy and hasn't taken anyone down in three fights. Daukaus is a good grappler with length and solid takedown defense. Angelo is confident but questions the -325 odds, suggesting Daukaus' last win was against a distracted opponent.
Big Brady picks Kyle Daukaus, noting his improved striking and power since being cut from the UFC. He criticizes Gerald Meerschaert's chin as 'dust' and his recent poor performances, including gassing out badly. Brady believes Daukaus is the better grappler and striker at this point and predicts a first-round knockout, referencing Daukaus's own claim that he will knock out Meerschaert.
Cody agrees with Paul, noting that Meerschaert is on a losing streak and has been knocked out multiple times. He points out that Daukaus is bigger and has better striking. Cody thinks Daukaus will finish the fight inside the distance, possibly by TKO in the first round. He is confident in the pick.
Connor also picks Daukaus, agreeing with Zane. He notes that Meerschaert has lost a step and that Daukaus showed aggression and certainty in his last fight. However, he warns that Daukaus might get overly ambitious and get submitted, but overall trusts Daukaus to win.
Daniel believes Daukaus is on a resurgence with newfound confidence and power, as shown in his knockout of Michelle Pereira. He expects Daukaus to feast on an aging Meerschaert, who has been finished in recent fights. He predicts a first-round knockout for Daukaus.
Lucrative James picks Kyle Daukaus to win, stating that Gerald Meerschaert is washed and Daukaus has better striking and grappling. He notes Daukaus' resurgence after a first-round KO in his return fight, and believes his takedown defense and top control will neutralize Meerschaert's submission threats. He predicts a finish or clear decision for Daukaus.
Daukaus is a better and younger version of Meerschaert. He can win whichever way he chooses, whether by knockout or submission. He wins inside the distance.
Paul picks Daukaus, citing his size, striking, and submission defense. He notes that Meerschaert has poor durability and has been knocked out frequently. Paul believes Daukaus will win by TKO, possibly in the first round. He also mentions that Daukaus has looked good on the regional scene and is a big middleweight.
The Guru picks Kyle Daukaus to win by TKO in round two. He notes that Gerald Meerschaert is on a three-fight losing streak and aging, while Daukaus is coming into his prime with improved striking and grappling. Daukaus' clinch work and power should be too much for Meerschaert, who may no longer have the craftiness to pull off a submission.
Zane picks Daukaus confidently, noting that Meerschaert has lost a step and never had much physical edge. He thinks Daukaus has surprisingly fast hands and is too willing to grapple, but that he can be fast and slick. He believes Daukaus might be starting a veteran run and that Meerschaert is past his prime.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 3 of 16 | 18% | 3 of 16 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 1 | 23 of 51 | 45% | 23 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 3 of 16 | 18% | 2 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 3 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Michał Oleksiejczuk | 23 of 51 | 45% | 18 of 46 | 5 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 11 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 12 of 20 |
Angelo notes Oleksiejczuk is a pure striker with power and fast hands, while Meerschaert is a grappler with questionable chin and takedown accuracy. He thinks it's easier for Oleksiejczuk to stay on the feet and land strikes than for Meerschaert to get the fight to the ground. He leans Oleksiejczuk but says he should not be a -225 favorite in such a tricky matchup.
Big Brady picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by first-round knockout. He notes Oleksiejczuk is a phenomenal striker with bodywork, volume, and power, while Meerschaert is at a massive striking disadvantage. However, he acknowledges the grappling danger: Meerschaert has 30 submission wins and Oleksiejczuk has been submitted six times. He thinks Oleksiejczuk can keep the fight standing and knock out Meerschaert, especially if he has improved his takedown defense. He mentions Oleksiejczuk's ability to get back up when taken down.
The host believes Oleksiejczuk's improvements from training with the fighting nerds will carry over, though it may result in a more measured approach. He expects Oleksiejczuk to wear Meerschaert down with striking and secure a finish in the third round.
The Guru picks Michał Oleksiejczuk to win by TKO in the first or second round. He believes Oleksiejczuk has improved since joining the Fighting Nerds and has nasty ground and pound and power. The Guru notes that Meerschaert is on borrowed time and doesn't move his head well, making him vulnerable. He also mentions that Oleksiejczuk has good grappling defense and reversals, so he won't be a fish out of water on the ground.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Tavares | 0 | 47 of 109 | 43% | 56 of 118 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 38 of 83 | 45% | 51 of 97 | 0 of 8 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 4:44 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Tavares | 0 | 13 of 36 | 36% | 14 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 8 of 24 | 33% | 8 of 24 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:26 | |
| 2 | Brad Tavares | 0 | 26 of 51 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 23 of 44 | 52% | 23 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:47 | |
| 3 | Brad Tavares | 0 | 8 of 22 | 36% | 16 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 20 of 28 | 0 of 5 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 3:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brad Tavares | 47 of 109 | 43% | 29 of 85 | 12 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 45 of 105 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 38 of 83 | 45% | 27 of 66 | 7 of 10 | 4 of 7 | 36 of 79 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brad Tavares | 13 of 36 | 36% | 10 of 30 | 2 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 36 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 8 of 24 | 33% | 5 of 19 | 0 of 1 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Brad Tavares | 26 of 51 | 50% | 15 of 38 | 7 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 24 of 48 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 23 of 44 | 52% | 18 of 35 | 4 of 6 | 1 of 3 | 21 of 42 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Brad Tavares | 8 of 22 | 36% | 4 of 17 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 21 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 7 of 15 | 46% | 4 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 14 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Tavares (-258), Meerschaert (+210)
Round 1
As the main card carries on, the few hundred fans in the building will be treated to a fascinating clash of styles pitting the UFC middleweight decision leader against the division’s all-time top finisher. Tavares (20-10, 15-10 UFC) prefers to stand, while Meerschaert (37-18, 12-10 UFC) is hunting for his 30th submission—and Tavares has never before been submitted. Something might have to give before all is said and done here. Referee Mike Beltran draws the assignment, ready to step in at a moment’s notice. The grizzled veterans show respect for one another with a glove touch, and Tavares pops out his jab. Meerschaert surges forward, pulling back before letting go with anything. Tavares prepares for a counter when Meerschaert comes at him, dinging the grappler with a hard left hand. Meerschaert zooms forward, looking for a double and ending up pushing the Hawaiian against the fencing. When Tavares breaks free, Meerschaert goes after him and plants a left hand on the chin. He ducks down to try this strike again, and this time it lands cleaner. Tavares backs him off with a crisp boxing combo, and Meerschaert shoots in for a double but is totally shut down. Tavares misses a right hand by a matter of inches, but the body kick that follows does land. Tavares puts his fist on Meerschaert’s chin, and he dips in with a shovel uppercut that brushes past the jaw. The two crash together, and Tavares rings his foe’s bell with an elbow, giving chase with a left hand and a body kick. Meerschaert fakes a level change to buzz by his foe, and he pitches out a couple calf kicks. Tavares advances, is intercepted and still snaps out a jab. Meerschaert kicks him in the lead leg again, and he leans back and gets drilled with a long two-punch string right down the middle. Tavares clips Meerschaert a second time with a right hand, and “GM3” catches a kick and zips a kick back at his adversary’s head. Tavares comes up short with a spinning back fist, and the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Round 2
Fists are bumped to start off the second round, and Tavares gets right behind a double jab. Tavares plunks Meerschaert with a right hand and has a high kick buzz past his hair. Tavares plants a heavy leg kick that strips the legs out beneath the grappler, and Beltran allows him to stand up as Tavares does not want to hit the ground with him. Meerschaert blitzes forward, landing at the end of a pair of combinations and backing off from front kicks. He then charges again, scoring twice with a solid lefts before mashing Tavares against the cage. “GM3” slashes with an elbow on the break, and he sneaks in a left hand as Tavares clutches his jaw awkwardly. Tavares overswings, and Meerschaert ducks down to level change. Tavares stonewalls him, boots him in the face and then slams a leg kick home. Two heavy punches from the Hawaiian get through, and Meerschaert answers him with two doubled lefts. He tries this double-left attack two more times, and Tavares sees it coming and circles off. Meerschaert connects with a powerful uppercut to push Tavares back, and he hammers Tavares with a body kick after they split up. Meerschaert sells out for a single that comes up way short of succeeding, and Tavares backs him away with a front kick and a blistering uppercut. Meerschaert shells up to defend a body kick, and the front kick that follows gets through. Tavares skirts away from looping punches, and they clash legs when kicking at the same moment. Tavares slips in a one-two, gets his head snapped back and still lands. Meerschaert throws back harder, and he gets Tavares’ attention just a moment. Body kicks fly from both men, and Tavares winds up with a right hand that staggers the grappler. “GM3” shakes out the cobwebs and scores as left hand down the middle. The bell rings.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Tavares
Round 3
Fists are bumped, and fighters engage right after it with clubbing punches. Meerschaert darts in for a takedown, and he runs directly into a body kick. Tavares hops back and in with a jab, and he runs forward and is tripped. Meerschaert lets him back up so he can target the body a few times, and Tavares kicks him in the guts and has to defend a takedown. Meerschaert nearly gets him down, Tavares pulls a finger off the wall and bounces off well enough to stay upright. Meerschaert clings to his side, fishing his legs in for a trip. Beltran asks for more activity as “GM3” hangs on from partial back control standing, and he kicks out Tavares’ other foot for a second of instability. He kicks the same foot again, and Tavares has to rejigger himself to not get tripped up. Meerschaert keeps attacking the feet when not trying to use his body weight to wrench Tavares down, and the Hawaiian is able to defend well enough as precious seconds tick off the clock. Beltran needs something more from the fighters, and Meerschaert exerts himself but is not able to get it down. Tavares puts his back to the fence, and his takedown defense is enough to stifle the Kill Cliff FC fighter’s every effort. Beltran breaks them apart with 70 seconds left, and Meerschaert practically runs towards his opponent flailing his fists, Tavares is more composed with straight strikes, and he has his kick parried and he rolls with a punch. Meerschaert lunges at him with two left hands to then go after a single, and Tavares breaks free with 15 seconds to go. Meerschaert runs forward, lets fly a body kick, and he slings three unsuccessful head kicks to conclude the lackluster pairing.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Scottie Smith scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Tavares)
The Official Result
Brad Tavares def. Gerald Meerschaert via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo notes Brad Tavares has fought everyone and has solid striking and 80% takedown defense, while Gerald Meerschaert is a good grappler but sucks on the feet and gets hit a lot. He warns that taking Meerschaert down is dangerous, but Tavares has the fight IQ to avoid that. Angelo picks Tavares but thinks the odds are high for a guy with only one win in three years, and suggests a 'win inside the distance' prop might be a sharp play.
Big Brady picks the underdog Gerald Meerschaert, citing Brad Tavares's decline after the Dricus du Plessis fight and poor recent performances. He believes Meerschaert has underrated striking and a huge grappling advantage, and expects him to submit Tavares in the second round.
Connor agrees with Zane, picking Meerschaert. He emphasizes that Tavares is a neutralizer who no longer believes in his own power and doesn't follow up on damage. Connor notes that Meerschaert has become craftier on the feet and that Tavares's defensive shell will be his downfall. He calls the matchup terrible matchmaking but sees Meerschaert as the logical winner.
Tavares is clearly diminishing at 1-4 in his last five fights. Meerschaert can push a pace and get the grappling going in the first and second rounds, leading to a classic Meerschaert submission in round two or three.
The Guru picks Brad Tavares, emphasizing his takedown defense and ability to keep the fight standing. He thinks Meerschaert's body kicks and takedown attempts will be slow and predictable, and Tavares will be snappier on the feet. He expects a decision win for Tavares, though notes Meerschaert comes alive in the third round.
Zane picks Meerschaert, arguing that Brad Tavares is 'cooked' and no longer dangerous. He notes Tavares's lack of motivation, tendency to shell up when hurt, and inability to finish fights. Zane points out that Meerschaert has improved his boxing and reach usage, and has a win over Bruno Silva who knocked out Tavares. He believes Meerschaert's willingness to win and Tavares's decline make Meerschaert the clear pick.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reinier de Ridder | 0 | 30 of 54 | 55% | 44 of 72 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 1 | 2:53 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 1 | 38 of 66 | 57% | 82 of 114 | 5 of 13 | 38% | 1 | 0 | 3:29 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reinier de Ridder | 0 | 21 of 34 | 61% | 21 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 0:10 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 1 | 28 of 53 | 52% | 33 of 59 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:44 | |
| 2 | Reinier de Ridder | 0 | 9 of 17 | 52% | 22 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 5 of 6 | 83% | 35 of 39 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:49 | |
| 3 | Reinier de Ridder | 0 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 1 of 4 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 5 of 7 | 71% | 14 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:56 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reinier de Ridder | 30 of 54 | 55% | 27 of 49 | 3 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 22 of 44 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 7 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 38 of 66 | 57% | 19 of 42 | 10 of 13 | 9 of 11 | 34 of 61 | 3 of 4 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reinier de Ridder | 21 of 34 | 61% | 19 of 30 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 32 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 28 of 53 | 52% | 14 of 34 | 5 of 8 | 9 of 11 | 26 of 51 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Reinier de Ridder | 9 of 17 | 52% | 8 of 16 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 7 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 5 of 6 | 83% | 2 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | |
| 3 | Reinier de Ridder | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 5 of 7 | 71% | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 5 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: De Ridder (-290), Meerschaert (+235)
Round 1
In their combined 54 pro wins, these two co-headlining middleweights have earned 50 finishes. Referee Mike Beltran better buckle up as soon as these two get started, as Meerschaert (37-17, 12-9 UFC) is just as dangerous in the first minute as he is in the last. Ridder (17-2, 0-0 UFC) will be coming over from One Championship, where level of competition and some other policies differ significantly, and it remains to be seen if there are any immediate growing pains. If this hits the ground, hang on tight. The 185ers touch ‘em up, and de Ridder starts out with multiple front kicks. Meerschaert chases after him with a one-two, and de Ridder’s front kick gets plenty of work early. De Ridder awkwardly lunges his way in, and he gets popped with a right hand before backing off. “RDR” chips at the front leg twice before Meerschaert gets his hands on him, with Meerschaert connecting with a series of punches that redden the newcomer’s face up. De Ridder uses a low kick to set up a takedown attempt, scooping up the middleweight submission leader in the UFC and putting him down to the ground. De Ridder passes briefly, but Meerschaert flips him over and fights off a triangle choke setup to allow them both to stand. Meerschaert stabs out a jab, and he rips a left to the ribcage. Meerschaert scores two left hands, and his subsequent right hand draws a funny reaction out of the UFC debutant. Meerschaert checks a body kick and swarms forward with several powerful punches. De Ridder wobbles back, gets clipped with a left hand and ducks down to prevent any further harm. “GM3” shuts down a takedown with ease and slides to the side, and he eats a jab on the way out. A de Ridder low kick gets checked, and he sets up a few punches with a jab and takes a few on the chin before backing off. Meerschaert connects with a solid left hook and jumps guard for a guillotine choke, but de Ridder shucks him out of the way. Meerschaert kicks him off, stands up and deals with a jump knee. Meerschaert stuffs a takedown and sets up a power guillotine, only to use the grip to push off. De Ridder swings wide, has a low kick checked and shoots for a failed entry. Meerschaert drills him with an elbow when fighting of the takedown, and de Ridder pecks at him with distant jabs. Meerschaert gives him one jab back to think about, and de Ridder sits down on a right hand that gets Meerschaert’s attention. Meerschaert closes in and dings him with an uppercut, and he gets sent flying with an elbow and a looping left hand. Before “RDR” can put a stamp on things, the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 de Ridder
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 de Ridder
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 de Ridder
Round 2
To start off the second round, de Ridder wants to put hands on what he thinks to be a wounded fighter. Meerschaert appears to have his sea legs out him, and he swings back and tags the newcomer a few times. “RDR” walks him down, wraps up a body lock and hits an easy trip. Meerschaert turns to his side as de Ridder hopes to establish to half guard. De Ridder sneaks in an elbow before Meerschaert hand-fights with two-on-one wrist control on the Dutchman’s left arm, and de Ridder uses the opportunity to nearly slide out of danger. De Ridder sets up a choke while on his seat, and Meerschaert pushes him off and unloads with a lengthy punch combination. De Ridder still works his way upright, threaten with a throw and falls over. Meerschaert jumps on top, moving right into half guard and opening up with strikes. A brief arm-triangle choke from the American is flirted with, but Meerschaert bails on it to nail the debuting fighter with an elbow. De Ridder re-fastens his guard before tugging his toes on the fencing, and he pushes Meerschaert to his feet. “GM3” lowers himself back down while smacking de Ridder in the chops with punches. De Ridder fires back, and he lifts a leg up in hopes of hooking up a triangle. Meerschaert is wise to it and shucks it off, and he takes a few punches from “RDR” off his back. De Ridder fishes for an arm, and he uses it to work his way back to his feet. De Ridder turns the tables with a trip, placing the underdog on his back before having to fight out of an armbar. Meerschaert goes for one more submission as the 10-second clapper sounds, and he flips “RDR” over before the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Round 3
The middleweights touch ‘em up to get the last round going, and Meerschaert is the one pushing the pace in pursuit of a clinch and possible takedown. De Ridder fights his way off the wall, only for Meerschaert to trip him down to his face. De Ridder stands back up, and Meerschaert shoots for a single that is defended. De Ridder drives a knee to the torso while Meerschaert stands up, and he trips “GM3” up and tosses him to the mat like a side of beef. Meerschaert squirms the right direction and puts de Ridder on the mat, evading a front choke while scurrying as fast as he can to put de Ridder on his back.
De Ridder repositions to full mount, and he locks down an arm-triangle choke in a hurry. Meerschaert defends by answering the telephone, and he quickly finds the submission is a bit too tight for his liking. Rather than get put to sleep, a disappointed Meerschaert taps out twice.
Both exhausted fighters fall to their backs, sucking wind now that the fight is over. De Ridder becomes the first fighter since Jack Hermansson in 2018 to force “GM3” to surrender, introducing himself to his new company in a big way.
The Official Result
Reinier de Ridder def. Gerald Meerschaert R3 1:44 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Reinier de Ridder as the next evolution of Gerald Meerschaert: high-level BJJ with much better takedowns. He notes de Ridder uses his length well and can hang with anyone on the ground. He expects a high-level grappling fight and thinks the UFC matched him up this way on purpose. He will probably bet on de Ridder.
Big Brady goes back and forth but ultimately picks Meerschaert, citing de Ridder's poor cardio and striking. He expects de Ridder to come out strong but fade, allowing Meerschaert to take over in the later rounds. He predicts a third-round submission for Meerschaert.
Cody highlights de Ridder's elite grappling credentials, including a draw with Andre Galvao and a competitive loss to Tye Ruotolo. He believes de Ridder's judo and BJJ black belt will neutralize Meerschaert's submission game, and his striking is good enough to win on the feet. Cody expects de Ridder to pass this barometer test and win, possibly by knockout or decision.
Connor also picks Meerschaert, agreeing that de Ridder's striking is terrible and that Meerschaert can piece him up. He notes the size difference but thinks Meerschaert's boxing will prevail. He also comments that the odds are too wide in favor of de Ridder.
Daniel Vreeland picks Gerald Meerschaert as a dog, citing concerns about Reinier de Ridder's stamina and recent performances, including a knockout loss and a quit job. He notes Meerschaert's durability, awkward striking, and record for most submissions in UFC middleweight history. Vreeland expects a late finish if de Ridder doesn't get an early submission.
Lucrative James picks Reinier de Ridder to win, but is hesitant due to the wide odds. He notes that de Ridder is a one-dimensional grappler with poor striking, while Meerschaert is a submission specialist who could catch him. He believes de Ridder's wrestling and size advantage should allow him to dictate where the fight goes, but acknowledges that Meerschaert is dangerous off his back and could pull off a submission. He also mentions considering a bet on Meerschaert due to the value.
De Ridder's ability to take the back will be key. As his grappling wears on Meerschaert, he should open up a submission or ground-and-pound opportunity and get a finish in his UFC debut.
Paul is not excited about laying -278 on a UFC debutant, but acknowledges de Ridder's experience in big fights and his grappling advantage. He notes that Meerschaert struggles when opponents don't gas and have comparable grappling. Paul thinks de Ridder can win on points or by taking Meerschaert down and controlling him.
The Guru picks Reinier de Ridder, citing his jiu-jitsu advantage and ability to avoid being fraud-checked in grappling. He worries about de Ridder's stand-up but believes his clinch knees and body work will be key. He predicts de Ridder finishes Meerschaert with knees to the body in the second or third round, surviving any guillotine danger.
Zane picks Meerschaert, noting that de Ridder cannot strike at all and has no functional pressure. He thinks Meerschaert can outbox him easily. He also mentions that de Ridder's wins are over regional competition and that Meerschaert is a tough out. He suggests a prop on Meerschaert by decision.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 48 of 113 | 42% | 48 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:21 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 21 of 44 | 47% | 31 of 54 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 | 0 | 0:21 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 22 of 50 | 44% | 22 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 14 of 33 | 42% | 16 of 35 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 26 of 63 | 41% | 26 of 63 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 2:18 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 7 of 11 | 63% | 15 of 19 | 1 of 5 | 20% | 1 | 0 | 0:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 48 of 113 | 42% | 31 of 94 | 16 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 26 of 60 | 5 of 9 | 17 of 44 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 21 of 44 | 47% | 11 of 33 | 6 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 20 of 42 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 22 of 50 | 44% | 12 of 38 | 9 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 21 of 46 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 14 of 33 | 42% | 5 of 24 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 14 of 33 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 26 of 63 | 41% | 19 of 56 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 14 | 4 of 5 | 17 of 44 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 7 of 11 | 63% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-310), Meerschaert (+250)
Round 1
If Reese vs. Medina was the appetizer for middleweight finishers—although it did not go down the way matchmakers likely intended—this pairing between aggressive youngster Shahbazyan (13-4, 6-4 UFC) and crafty opportunist Meerschaert (36-17, 11-9 UFC) is the main course. Together, they sport three wins by decision across their combined 49 victories. Referee Mark Smith needs to be on his A-game for this one, although he is well-prepared for the bout that commences with a touch of gloves. Meerschaert introduces himself with a well-placed body kick, and Shahbazyan frowns and responds with a right straight to the ribs. Meerschaert scores another thudding body kick, and Shahbazyan measures his left hand and walks “GM3” down. A third body kick from Meerschaert connects cleanly, and he scores a one-two and is countered. Shahbazyan absorbs an inside leg kick and a jab, and he fights off a takedown but gets uppercutted twice in the exchange. Meerschaert lands a right hand and eats a right to the body and a left to the head. Shahbazyan rushes in, and he slashes out with an elbow to break. “GM3” sneaks in a left hand, and Shahbazyan boots him in the ribcage. Meerschaert does the same with his kick, and Shahbazyan targets his midsection in response. Doubling up on a jab, Shahbazyan punches his way in and follows a right hand with a head kick. Meerschaert blocks the second kick and loops a left hand in, and they get up close and personal to trade fierce punches. “GM3” further attacks the body, and a left hand that follows reddens up the nose of “The Golden Boy.” Shahbazyan splits the guard with a right cross, and he has a leg kick checked. Meerschaert kicks the inner thigh, and it slides up and slaps into the cup. Shahbazyan grimaces in pain, and Smith calls time. Shahbazyan clutches his groin and paces around to get his wind back, and he takes 75 seconds before resuming. Smith tells Meerschaert to “stay away from that area,” and he nods. On the restart, Meerschaert loops a right around the jab, and he parries a high body kick. Shahbazyan sticks him with a left and comes up short on a big left hand, and they clash with kicks at the same time. Shahbazyan walks through a punch to get Meerschaert’s attention with a right hook, and a body kick from “The Golden Boy” ends the round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 2
The middleweight clap hands to start the round, and Meerschaert is on the attack immediately. Jabbing his way into a takedown effort, he fails on it and pulls back to try a second time. Meerschaert kicks the body of his foe, and he trips to his back and climbs back up. Shahbazyan defends from another takedown, and he clips “GM3” with a short right hook to the body and a pounding knee that puts Meerschaert down. Shahbazyan opens up with ground-and-pound, spamming punches and hammerfists as Smith tells him to fight back. Meerschaert stays busy enough to survive, slowing things down by tying up Shahbazyan’s hand. Shahbazyan tries his hardest to finish the fight, but Meerschaert is savvy enough to block most of them. When Shahbazyan takes mount, “GM3” times an explosion to buck Shahbazyan off of him. Meerschaert threatens with a guillotine off his back, and he reassumes the guard and looks to tie Shahbazyan up with a kimura. Shahbazyan stands up and tells Meerschaert to stand back up. Meerschaert immediately shoots for a takedown and is met with a knee, and he looks for a standing guillotine when Shahbazyan bullies him to the fence. Meerschaert does not have the sub, so he lets it go and blasts Shahbazyan with three ferocious punches. Shahbazyan gives him back two knees to the body and a right hand to back him away. Shahbazyan times a jump knee as Meerschaert tackles him to the mat, and with one minute to go, Meerschaert assumes to position.
In the blink of an eye, Meerschaert latches onto the arm-triangle choke, and he lowers himself down when sensing the resistance of “The Golden Boy” is not what it was before. “GM3” completes the submission without even stepping over to the side, instead hanging on in half guard, and that is all he needs. Shahbazyan surrenders to a sub for the first time in his career
, and Meerschaert has pulled off the upset and the comeback. In doing so, Meerschaert becomes the UFC’s all-time finish leader at middleweight, breaking his tie with Anderson Silva for sole possession of the record.
The Official Result
Gerald Meerschaert def. Edmen Shahbazyan R2 4:12 via Submission (Arm-Triangle Choke)
Angelo picks Gerald Meerschaert as an underdog, acknowledging his chinny reputation but noting his improved takedowns in his last fight. He thinks Meerschaert's grappling is the best it's looked and that if he can take Shahbazyan down, he'll be in trouble. He mentions that Shahbazyan is a 3-to-1 favorite which seems crazy, and that Apex cards are ripe for upsets. He also suggests a plus 3.5 bet on Meerschaert.
Cody picks Meerschaert because he thinks Shahbazyan is a front-runner who fades if he doesn't finish early. He notes Meerschaert has good BJJ, cardio, and a comeback ability. He believes if Shahbazyan doesn't knock him out in the first round, Meerschaert will take over and submit him. He also mentions that Shahbazyan has been stopped by wrestlers and grapplers before.
Daniel Vreeland picks Gerald Meerschaert for the upset, noting Shahbazyan is a front-runner who fades after the first round. He believes if Shahbazyan doesn't get a first-round KO, Meerschaert will take over with submissions or ground-and-pound. He acknowledges the risk of Shahbazyan winning early.
JP picks Shahbazyan by KO, noting his losses were to elite competition and he has looked great lately. He thinks Meerschaert is old, slow, and his standup is not good. Brevin agrees, adding that Meerschaert is reckless and has been taking bad punishment recently, including a one-punch KO loss to Chimaev. Shahbazyan is bigger, younger, and has good wrestling to stuff takedowns.
Paul leans towards Shahbazyan by KO but doesn't like the price. He thinks Shahbazyan has the power to finish Meerschaert early, but notes that Meerschaert is durable and could survive. He prefers to bet live or take a prop on Shahbazyan by KO rather than the moneyline. He also mentions that Meerschaert's chin is suspect.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan by first-round KO. He believes Shahbazyan is much more talented on the feet and that Meerschaert is getting old. He cites Shahbazyan's wins over Barbarena, AJ Dobson, and Dingi Andula, and notes Meerschaert's recent win over Barbarena was unimpressive. He predicts a first-round finish.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 30 of 36 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 2 | 0 | 5:03 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 12 of 37 | 32% | 25 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 7 of 13 | 53% | 12 of 18 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 2:15 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 13 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 4 of 4 | 100% | 18 of 18 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 2 | 0 | 2:48 |
| Bryan Barberena | 0 | 2 of 12 | 16% | 12 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gerald Meerschaert | 11 of 17 | 64% | 7 of 12 | 2 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 12 of 37 | 32% | 9 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 8 | 10 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gerald Meerschaert | 7 of 13 | 53% | 4 of 9 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 7 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 10 of 25 | 40% | 7 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 8 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | |
| 2 | Gerald Meerschaert | 4 of 4 | 100% | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Bryan Barberena | 2 of 12 | 16% | 2 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 2 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Meerschaert (-245), Barberena (+200)
Round 1
The prelims kick off with a stylistically opposite middleweight matchup pitting a submission magician against a burly brawler. Meerschaert (35-17, 10-9 UFC) will be the rare betting favorite in a match, because it comes against former welterweight Barberena (18-11, 9-9 UFC). This fight may not need the judges at its conclusion, but referee Herb Dean is on call for what comes next. The grizzled veterans touch gloves, and Meerschaert crowds forward and paws out a low kick. Barberena replies with one as he hops from side to side, not letting himself get cornered or stay too long in one spot. Barberena misses with another leg kick, and he reaches out with a swatting right hook. Meerschaert loads up on a right hand that skims the bears, and he digs a left to the body before backing away to dodge a counter. Barberena chips at the lead leg with a kick, and Meerschaert ducks a punch to tie him up. Barberena frantically escapes the clinch, not allowing the grappler to get hold of him for more than a second or two. Barberena keeps sliding to the side until Meerschaert shoots in on a double, and he takes “Bam Bam” off his feet. Barberena posts off his arm to remain upright, and Meerschaert jumps on top of him to secure the position. Meerschaert clings to the side of his opponent, with one hook in, as Barberena fights to maintain wrist control and keep Meerschaert from establishing a dominant position. Barberena climbs back to his feet, and he threatens with an overhand right but misses the mark. Meerschaert walks straight into a one-two, and Barberena charges into him and bowls him over. Meerschaert absorbs a few low kicks from on his back before popping back up, and he reaches out with a right hand when upright again. Meerschaert slips a few punches and shoot for a double, and he lands in the guard before quickly advancing to half guard. “GM3” slides into side control, and he isolates Barberena’s left arm to pursue a kimura. Meerschaert steps over and wrenches on the kimura behind his foe’s back, but Barberena leans up against the wall to defend it. Meerschaert drops down to snatch up a guillotine choke, but the leverage is not there from his angle to get it set. Meerschaert lets Barberena up and lands a few punches before backing up, and Barberena lumbers towards him throwing inaccurate hands until the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Round 2
Meerschaert accepts a fist bump to get started, but he is on a mission as he crowds Barberena and chases him around the cage. Barberena keeps moving, and he swings a right hand that is ducked by a shooting “GM3.” Barberena defends the single and pushes off with a left hook, and he reaches out with a pair of punches to back Meerschaert off for a moment. Barberena just misses with a windmilling left hand, and Meerschaert shoots for a single that is stuffed. Meerschaert kicks the ribs and parries a one-two, and he sticks out a jab. Meerschaert prods out another jab, and Barberena answers with his own. Meerschaert shoots, turns the corner and succeeds in putting Barberena on his back. Barberena maintains butterfly hooks to defend from anything, until Meerschaert steps over to half guard. Meerschaert grabs hold of an arm-triangle choke and presses down while his body is draped on the alternate side, and Barberena grits his teeth and scoots his way to the fencing. Meerschaert hangs on from the side and hunts for a rear-naked choke, and Barberena hand-fights to stop it. When Barberena attempts to stand back up, Meerschaert gets the hook in on the other side and acts as a mean-spirted backpack. “GM3” locks up a rear-naked choke while standing, but Barberena is tough as a two-dollar steak and fights it out as he drops to his knee.
Meerschaert grips the rear-naked choke grip on the chin, squeezing with all power on the face crank. Meerschaert does not adjust his grip, and Barberena searches for options and suddenly loses consciousness—from a face crank. The forearm never slid under the chin, and yet Barberena is out cold!
When Dean gets between them, the sportsman Meerschaert rushes over the lift Barberena’s legs up to force the blood to flow back to the head, while Dean tends to the groggy, defeated fighter. The victorious Meerschaert now ties Anderson Silva for the most finishes in the UFC’s middleweight division, and when asked what he wants next, he calls for a beer and a nap.
The Official Result
Gerald Meerschaert def. Bryan Barberena R2 4:23 via Technical Submission (Face Crank)
Angelo notes that Meerschaert is a very good grappler always live for a submission, though he has a questionable chin and poor takedown accuracy. Barberena is a fun brawler who doesn't use his wrestling and has been taken down 18 times in his last three fights. Angelo thinks the more likely outcome is Meerschaert gets a takedown and snatches a submission, but warns he cannot be trusted as a 2-to-1 favorite.
Big Brady picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by second-round submission. He notes Barberena's poor takedown defense and submission losses, and expects Meerschaert to get the fight to the mat and submit him. He is wary of Meerschaert's chin but thinks Barberena's recent form is too poor.
Cody picks Gerald Meerschaert, emphasizing the size advantage. He notes Barberena is undersized at middleweight, having ballooned to 240 lbs and struggled to make 170. He points out Barberena was taken down 13 times in his last fight and lacks the power to hurt Meerschaert. He sees Meerschaert's size and grappling as decisive.
Lucrative James picks Gerald Meerschaert to win by submission, likely in round two or three. He believes Barberena is on a downward trajectory and lacks the power to knock out Meerschaert. He notes that Barberena has a significant grappling disadvantage and that Meerschaert is opportunistic with submissions. He mentions that he won't play the moneyline but might bet on a round prop.
The host is surprised Meerschaert is a big favorite, as he believes Barberena has good enough defensive grappling to deal with Meerschaert's less-than-average wrestling. He notes Barberena has shown improvements in getting back to his feet and letting his hands go, and expects Barberena to have the striking advantage, leading to a knockout in the third round as Meerschaert fails on his grappling attempts.
Paul also picks Meerschaert but with hesitation. He acknowledges Barberena's toughness and grit, but notes Meerschaert's inconsistency and tendency to lose rounds before pulling off a finish. He warns that this could be a 'pie in the sky' situation where Meerschaert's flaws are overlooked. Still, he expects Meerschaert to win due to size.
The Guru picks Gerald Meerschaert by submission in round three. He notes Barberena was outgrappled by Makhmud Muradov, whom Meerschaert submitted. He expects Meerschaert to get dominant position and submit the 'melting vanilla ice cream' Barberena. He mentions Meerschaert's typical third-round finishes.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Petroski | 1 | 57 of 132 | 43% | 67 of 143 | 2 of 5 | 40% | 0 | 0 | 2:06 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 76 of 149 | 51% | 92 of 166 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Petroski | 0 | 13 of 42 | 30% | 13 of 42 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 11 of 30 | 36% | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Andre Petroski | 1 | 29 of 61 | 47% | 31 of 63 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 23 of 54 | 42% | 23 of 54 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Andre Petroski | 0 | 15 of 29 | 51% | 23 of 38 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:07 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 0 | 42 of 65 | 64% | 58 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 1:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andre Petroski | 57 of 132 | 43% | 39 of 114 | 12 of 12 | 6 of 6 | 46 of 117 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 11 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 76 of 149 | 51% | 65 of 135 | 6 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 60 of 131 | 10 of 10 | 6 of 8 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andre Petroski | 13 of 42 | 30% | 10 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 39 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 11 of 30 | 36% | 8 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | 11 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Andre Petroski | 29 of 61 | 47% | 20 of 52 | 5 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 21 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 11 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 23 of 54 | 42% | 18 of 47 | 3 of 5 | 2 of 2 | 22 of 53 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Andre Petroski | 15 of 29 | 51% | 9 of 23 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 14 of 28 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | 42 of 65 | 64% | 39 of 61 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 27 of 48 | 9 of 9 | 6 of 8 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Petroski (-245), Meerschaert (+200)
Round 1
Grappling fans will likely get their money’s worth with this early preliminary headliner at middleweight. A perfect 4-0 in the Octagon since coming into the league off his unsuccessful jaunt on Season 29 of “The Ultimate Fighter,” Petroski (9-1, 4-0 UFC) is a man on a mission with an equal distribution of knockouts and submissions on his ledger. Standing in his way is the ultra-dangerous Meerschaert (35-16, 10-8 UFC), who can snatch up a limb or neck in the blink of an eye. It could be a wild one for as long as it lasts, and referee Herb Dean will be the one keeping tabs on this affair. The crowd cheers louder for Dean than either fighter. There is ample respect, as the two fighters touch ‘em up before handling their business. Petroski moves to the center of the cage, and Meerschaert paws out a few jabs and narrowly avoids a sudden overhand left. Petroski chambers his left hand again, and Meerschaert ducks it and keeps his guard high to block three more strikes. Petroski sits down on a leg kick, and he takes a jab on the nose. Petroski swings for the fences, and Meerschaert responds with a short right hook. Petroski fires off a right hand, and he lumbers forward with two looping strikes. Meerschaert steps in with a sneaky left hand, and he pops Petroski with a second as he keeps moving. Petroski whiffs on a home run punch, and Meerschaert sees that and a second whiz by his face as he prods out with his own jab. Meerschaert’s jab continues to find its home, and he pushes out a one-two when Petroski comes at him, hands down. Petroski unloads with a vicious combination, and Meerschaert dodges most of them but takes one or two flush. “GM3” peppers the lead wheel with a kick, and he stutter-steps forward to draw a reaction out of Petroski. The Pennsylvanian has his right hand ready to fire off in a moment’s notice, and he leaps forward with three strikes that all come up short thanks to Meerschaert leaning and sliding backwards. Meerschaert starts to put his punches together, with a few short combinations that bounce off the guard of his foe. Petroski misses the mark by a mile, and Meerschaert pushes off as Petroski complains about an eye poke. Meerschaert does not acknowledge he committed a foul, and Dean allows him 30 seconds to recover before Petroski says he is good to go. When they resume, Petroski rushes forward but does not swing. Meerschaert gets in a left hand, and he scores a jab to follow. Petroski shoots in for a takedown, and Meerschaert falls to his back and sets up an inverted triangle immediately. Petroski is trapped in this position but does not appear to be overly concerned, and they ride out the round in this position.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Round 2
The two touch gloves to get back to it, and Meerschaert strikes first with a left hand over the top. Petroski connects with a leg kick, and he rushes forward in pursuit of a single-leg takedown. Meerschaert matadors him out of the way and allows Petroski to reset. When Meerschaert advances, Petroski lands a right hand. Meerschaert continues trotting forward, and Petroski throws hard and misses, and he goes after a single to follow it. Meerschaert shuts it down and gets off a shovel uppercut, and Petroski comes up high with a kick. They both trade right hands, and Petroski lands a pull-back two-punch combo. Meerschaert replies with a left hand that surprises Petroski, and he catches a Petroski kick that allows Meerschaert to trip his foe to the floor. Petroski jumps back up, and Meerschaert peppers him with a few jabs. Petroski throws hooks, and Meerschaert dodges and chips at Petroski’s lead leg. Meerschaert jumps forward with a jab, and he walks into a right hand that loops around his guard. Meerschaert backs Petroski off with three punches, and Petroski lets his hands go and belts him with a right hook. Meerschaert sticks his tongue out, and Petroski loads up and lands another. Meerschaert dips down and smacks Petroski with his own left hook, and he chains a head kick into it. Meerschaert flashes his jab and puts an uppercut on the chin, and Petroski disguises a single but falls into a potential guillotine trap. Petroski lets it go, and he gets shoved back and has his lead leg kicked again. Petroski drives a left to the body and goes for a right to the head, and Meerschaert defends against it and lands a short right of his own. Petroski leaps into action with a massive right hand, and it sends Meerschaert crashing to the canvas. When Meerschaert hits his back, he throws up a triangle choke, and he manages to gather his thoughts and threaten with another guillotine before the two stand up. As Meerschaert retreats, he is still a little hurt, and Petroski bears down on him and stops a lazy single from “GM3.” Petroski pushes Meerschaert to the floor and lands a few punches before the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Petroski
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-8 Petroski
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-8 Petroski
Round 3
Meerschaert is amped up and ready to go, and he rushes at his man and gets off a solid left hand down the middle. Meerschaert snatches up a kick that flies at his side and trips Petroski up, and he succeeds in taking Petroski down and climbing into top position. Petroski attacks with a triangle choke off his back, and Meerschaert fights it off and gets pushed back in the process. Meerschaert jumps back down into the guard of his opponent, and he smothers Petroski without doing much offensively. Dean warns Meerschaert that he needs to do more from here, and this spurs Meerschaert into action, who drops down some ground-and-pound. Petroski swings his legs high for an armbar effort, and Meerschaert shucks it off and elbows Petroski on the head hard. A cut opens up on Petroski’s cheek under his left eye, and Petroski muscles his way back to his feet. Meerschaert pressures his foe, who appears slightly fatigued, and he lays into him with a combination. Petroski throws back with a vengeance, with one punch that does not have the pop on it that it once did. Meerschaert connects with a few more strikes until Petroski shoots for a takedown, and Meerschaert drops to his back and hunts for a guillotine choke. Petroski fights out of it and steps over to the side while threatening with his own counter choke in the form of a Von Preux, and Meerschaert sees this and releases his own grip. Petroski sits up on a guillotine choke as he moves to mount, and Meerschaert traps Petroski’s leg to thwart it. Meerschaert explodes up to his seat and back to his feet, and when clinched up, he knees Petroski right in the breadbasket. Meerschaert rails Petroski with a huge left hand, and the two decide to abandon their grappling ways and throw everything they have. The two begin to brawl, and Meerschaert lands the better of the strikes and knocks Petroski back to the wall. Meerschaert unloads with everything he has left, and Petroski barely survives to the bell. As soon as it sounds, he drops to the floor, totally spent. This could be a close one, depending on how the first round is scored. It may come to the surprise of many that it managed to go the distance.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-28 Meerschaert)
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-27 Petroski)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Meerschaert (29-27 Petroski)
The Official Result
Andre Petroski def. Gerald Meerschaert via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Andre Petroski, trusting his wrestling and power, but leaves him out of the safety parlay due to Gerald Meerschaert's submission threat. He notes that Meerschaert has poor takedown defense and a suspect chin, but could pull off a Hail Mary submission. He has Petroski in a parlay with Natália Silva at -133.
Big Brady picks Gerald Meerschaert as a big underdog to win by third-round submission, acknowledging Petroski could knock him out early. He notes Meerschaert has 27 submission wins and is dangerous when opponents tire. Brady worries about Petroski's cardio, as he slows in the second and third rounds, and believes Meerschaert can capitalize on mistakes.
Cody thinks Petroski's wrestling and physical strength will overwhelm Meerschaert, who has a poor chin and is coming off a knockout loss. He expects a finish, but notes Petroski's gas tank could be an issue if the fight goes long.
Daniel Levi picks Andre Petroski, noting that he has been improving and showed better pacing in his last fight. He acknowledges that Meerschaert is live to catch Petroski with a submission, especially since Petroski has been guillotined before. Levi is not comfortable laying the price and prefers props, playing Petroski KO in round 1 and Meerschaert submission in rounds 2-3.
Lucrative James leans towards Gerald Meerschaert as an underdog, noting that Andre Petroski tends to gas out in the second round before recovering in the third, leaving openings for submissions. He acknowledges the risk of Petroski finishing early but sees value in Meerschaert's patented round 2-3 submission. He suggests a live bet after round one.
Petroski is the stronger wrestler with power and cardio improvements. He should take Meerschaert down and control him, likely finishing in the first two rounds. Meerschaert has durability issues and struggles when pressured early. The moneyline is a bit wide, but the fight not going to decision is a solid play.
The MMA Guru picks Andre Petroski to out-grapple and possibly submit Gerald Meerschaert. He notes Meerschaert's recent KO loss and quick turnaround, and believes Petroski's scrambles will neutralize Meerschaert's guillotine attempts. He was impressed by Petroski's performance against Wellington Turman and thinks he can dominate on the ground. He predicts a TKO by ground and pound or decision.
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady leans toward Ian Heinisch, believing the matchup favors him stylistically. He thinks Heinisch can close the distance, land takedowns, and avoid Meerschaert's BJJ. He notes Meerschaert's reach advantage and improved striking but feels Heinisch's wrestling and pressure will earn a close decision. He acknowledges Meerschaert is underrated.
Daniel finds it hard to cap Meerschaert because he often wins despite looking slow and unathletic. He sees this as a 50/50 fight and leans toward Meerschaert as the dog, citing his veteran savvy, jiu-jitsu black belt, and ability to capitalize on mistakes. He acknowledges Heinisch's cardio and will but thinks Meerschaert can snatch a submission or win a decision.
Ian Heinisch has great cardio and submission defense, which should help him avoid Gerald Meerschaert's submissions. Heinisch has the speed advantage and should be able to get in and out. However, his output has been a concern in past fights. If he lets his hands go, he can outpace Meerschaert. The pick is Heinisch, but not confident enough to bet.
The MMA Guru picks Ian Heinisch over Gerald Meerschaert. He questions the quality of Meerschaert's recent wins, noting that Trevin Giles and Deron Winn are overrated. He believes Heinisch's takedown defense and power will be too much, and that Heinisch will win by decision, becoming a mainstay in the rankings.
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