Career Averages - Gerald Meerschaert
Career Averages - Edmen Shahbazyan
Gerald Meerschaert
Edmen Shahbazyan
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.
Edmen Shahbazyan - Fight History
The host predicts Brendan Allen to win by submission in round two, likely with a rear naked choke. He notes that Shahbazyan is dangerous in round one with knockout power, but after that, Allen's grappling advantage takes over. He mentions that Allen has good takedowns and a strong back take, and that Shahbazyan's takedown defense fades as the fight goes on.
AJ picks Allen by submission, emphasizing Allen's elite grappling and wrestling advantage over Shahbazyan. He acknowledges Shahbazyan's striking skills but believes Allen will get the fight to the ground and submit him. AJ notes Allen's recent wins over top competition and expects a submission victory.
AJ believes Brendan Allen will dominate with his superior grappling, taking the fight to the ground and submitting Edmen Shahbazyan. He notes Allen's striking is decent enough to close distance, and Shahbazyan's ground game remains a question mark. AJ sees this as a clear grappling mismatch.
Angelo picks Brendan Allen, citing his clear advantage in wrestling and takedowns. He notes that Shahbazyan's takedown defense is a huge hole, and as long as Allen sticks to the game plan of getting takedowns and keeping him on the ground, he wins. He is slightly concerned about Allen's recent training camp comments but assumes he is ready.
Big Brady picks Brendan Allen to win by second round submission. He is not impressed with Shahbazyan's recent wins and notes that Shahbazyan quits when grappled. He thinks Allen should take him down and submit him, but worries about Allen's fight IQ and tendency to strike. He believes Allen is the better fighter and should win.
Brendan Allen fights like an idiot and often sells fights, as seen against Chris Curtis and Anthony Hernandez. Edmen Shahbazyan has knockout power and will likely chin Allen in round two. Shahbazyan is a huge underdog but has been training takedown defense at Extreme Couture.
Cody confidently picks Brendan Allen, arguing that Allen's wrestling and grappling will overwhelm Shahbazyan as the fight progresses. He notes Shahbazyan is dangerous in the first round but fades, and Allen has proven cardio and durability against top competition. He sees Allen as a -600 fighter at -200.
Brendan Allen is picked because he has better versatility and can grapple with Edmen Shahbazyan. The host is not sold on Shahbazyan's resurgence, noting his wins over Andre Muniz and Andre Petroski are not impressive. Allen's ground and pound and submission skills are highlighted, though he makes mistakes. The host expects Allen to win by decision, using cage control and clinch work.
Allen is a top-five middleweight with a clear grappling advantage. Shahbazyan has been submitted by lesser grapplers and hasn't faced anyone near Allen's level. Allen should get a first-round submission.
Lucrative James acknowledges Brendan Allen is the better all-round fighter and would pick him if forced, but sees value in Edmen Shahbazyan as a plus-money underdog. He notes Shahbazyan's knockout power and Allen's questionable durability and fight IQ, especially after Allen's brawl with Marvin Vettori. He believes Shahbazyan's best path is a round 1 or 2 KO, and that the betting value lies on the underdog.
Allen has superior durability and cardio; he should weather Shahbazyan's early striking and then take over in later rounds with grappling and body kicks. Shahbazyan tends to fade, and Allen will likely get a rear-naked choke in round 2.
Paul picks Brendan Allen but is hesitant due to Shahbazyan's first-round danger. He agrees Allen will take over in rounds 2 and 3, but is not getting heavily invested pre-fight. He suggests live betting Allen after the first round for better value.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 17 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 25 of 50 | 50% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:39 |
| André Muniz | 0 | 15 of 38 | 39% | 17 of 40 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 25 of 50 | 50% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 21 |
| André Muniz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 6 of 20 | 2 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 25 of 50 | 50% | 20 of 45 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 | 12 of 27 | 1 of 2 | 12 of 21 |
| André Muniz | 15 of 38 | 39% | 6 of 20 | 2 of 10 | 7 of 8 | 15 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-290), Muniz (+235)
Round 1
It’s submission vs. striking in this next phrase of the prelims, with both athletes sporting finish rates north of 75% in this middleweight affair. Still just 27 years of age with a few camps behind him at Xtreme Couture, Shahbazyan (15-5, 8-5 UFC) is ready to turn the corner and become “The Golden Boy.” To get there, he will have to surpass grappling ace Muniz (24-7, 6-3 UFC), who no one will forget when he snapped the arm of “Jacare” Souza with a stellar armbar. Referee Mark Smith will be here for the match wherever it takes place, and the 185ers bump gloves to introduce themselves.
Shahbazyan moves to the center of the Octagon and blocks a quick head kick that leads things off, and he hops away from a subsequent sweeping calf kick. Muniz goes high with another kick, and Shahbazyan pitches a calf kick back his way. They jab at one another, and Muniz misses on a short combination of punches. Shahbazyan scores a body kick and takes a low kick on the way out, with the two seemingly trading blows one after the other. Muniz spins with a wheel kick, and when he plants his feet, he shoots for a takedown. Shahbazyan forces him to stand up and knees him in the torso, bullying the grappler against the fence and staying tight to him. Muniz falls to the ground to pursue a leglock, and Shahbazyan steps out of it and makes Muniz stand. Muniz gets back up and is ready to throw hands, and his head kick after bangs into the guard. Shahbazyan responds with a single solid left hook, and he splits the gloves with a right.
Muniz stays committed to body kicks, and he uses one to close the distance only for the younger fighter to push him towards the fencing. Muniz separates without much effort, and he defends a high kick he knows is coming. The Brazilian plants his heel on Shahbazyan’s side from a back kick, and his swinging hooks miss the mark by a matter of feet. Muniz catches a kick and tries to trip Shahbazyan up, but he abandons that and just slugs his way closer. Muniz goes after the calf and swings it out for a moment with Shahbazyan, who takes a right hand and is shaken up for a moment. Shahbazyan plants his feet and takes a body kick, so he backpedals as Muniz puts it on him. Muniz manages to drag Shahbazyan to the floor, and although he cannot keep him there, he does land a kick. Muniz opens up with big punches, and Shahbazyan clips him with a left hook that puts the Brazilian on ice skates.
The sheer momentum of Shahbazyan and his swinging left hands bowl Muniz to the floor, and he starts battering the downed man with punches and elbows. Muniz turns to his side to defend the beating, but Smith is watching closely and not seeing much intelligent defense. As Muniz appears to lose consciousness from the drubbing, Smith steps in to call a halt to the match before the buzzer
. It takes some time for Muniz to come to, but he manages to sit and stand up, and his team and medical professionals seat him on a stool to further recover. Meanwhile, that is three wins in a row for Shahbazyan, who may be knocking on the door of the top 15 again.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Muniz R1 4:58 via KO (Punches and Elbows)
Angelo sees this as a striker vs grappler matchup. He believes Edmen's striking advantage is wider than André's grappling advantage, and that Edmen can win by keeping the fight on the feet. He notes André's chin is starting to fail and that Edmen has good takedown defense when not tired. He also thinks the fight will not go the distance.
Big Brady believes André Muniz has a weak chin, citing his recent knockout losses and a delayed reaction to a shot. He notes that Muniz has been knocked out six times and all his losses are inside the distance. He thinks Shahbazyan has power and will knock out Muniz, likely in the first round. He predicts a first-round knockout for Shahbazyan.
Connor picks Muniz to keep it interesting, seeing a path where Muniz sucks Shahbazyan into a grappling hell early on, making Shahbazyan fight well but have a miserable time, leading to his typical panic and collapse. He notes that Muniz's aggressive grappling could overwhelm Shahbazyan, especially if Muniz commits to wrestling from the start.
The host is skeptical of Shahbazyan as a chalky favorite due to gas tank issues, but still expects him to walk Munz onto a big shot and win by knockout.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan, believing his youth, power, and takedown defense will be key. He notes André Muniz's vulnerability to strikes and poor decision-making. He predicts a first-round TKO.
Zane picks Shahbazyan because he believes Muniz is a pure grappler who is not good at staying in control of a fight, unlike the fighters who have previously broken Shahbazyan (e.g., Derek Brunson, Jack Hermansson). He notes that Muniz is a risky, chancy grappler who can get a quick submission but is a mess standing, and Shahbazyan is a rangy, sharp shooter with good striking. However, he acknowledges the potential for Shahbazyan to meltdown.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 53 of 136 | 38% | 58 of 142 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 34 of 84 | 40% | 34 of 84 | 2 of 6 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:23 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 15 of 41 | 36% | 15 of 41 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 13 of 27 | 48% | 13 of 27 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 18 of 50 | 36% | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 12 of 34 | 35% | 12 of 34 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 3 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 20 of 45 | 44% | 25 of 51 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
| Andre Petroski | 0 | 9 of 23 | 39% | 9 of 23 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 53 of 136 | 38% | 37 of 103 | 11 of 23 | 5 of 10 | 50 of 129 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Andre Petroski | 34 of 84 | 40% | 15 of 52 | 13 of 17 | 6 of 15 | 33 of 82 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 15 of 41 | 36% | 12 of 30 | 2 of 8 | 1 of 3 | 15 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 13 of 27 | 48% | 5 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 4 of 8 | 12 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 18 of 50 | 36% | 10 of 37 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 4 | 18 of 50 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Andre Petroski | 12 of 34 | 35% | 7 of 24 | 5 of 7 | 0 of 3 | 12 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 20 of 45 | 44% | 15 of 36 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 38 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 |
| Andre Petroski | 9 of 23 | 39% | 3 of 15 | 4 of 4 | 2 of 4 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-185), Petroski (+154)
Round 1
As aggressive as ever, middleweight wunderkind Shahbazyan (14-5, 7-5 UFC) knows it only takes one for him to put an opponent away. He draws bearded grappler Petroski (13-3, 8-2 UFC), who has had his chin checked in the past but can also grind his way to victory if need be. This two-outcome match draws officiating from referee Kevin MacDonald, who bears witness to the fitness of the modern warrior. Before BOOM, another hit is landed, they bump fists. You’re gonna feel it. This is the ultimate. Both men start fast, trading hands in the center of the cage. Petroski lets go with a low kick and a level change, the latter likely to make Shahbazyan think about the possibility. When Shahbazyan advances, Petroski clips him with a short right hand that makes Shahbazyan check his nose. The two get stuck in neutral for a time when presenting in boxing range, and Shahbazyan breaks up the lull in action with a body kick. As Petroski bounces in, Shahbazyan measures him with a sharp right hand. Shahbazyan pecks out with a jab, but Petroski lands heavy on the calf with a kick. The boos begin to grow louder as the two do not engage with much, and Petroski tries to engage his grappling and is turned away for his efforts. Shahbazyan gets behind his jab, pecking it out to fluster Petroski. A jab and a left hook stings the Renzo Gracie Philly product, and Petroski tries and fails to take the fight down again. A quick left from Shahbazyan hurts Petroski, who bounces off the fence to gather himself. Shahbazyan wraps a right hand around the guard, and he deposits his shin on the midsection as the sound of it echoes through the building. Shahbazyan chases around his opponent with a few punches until the tepid round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 2
As the second round begins, Petroski still cannot find his way in to attack. This allows Shahbazyan to peck and poke at him with jabs, front kicks and anything else to maintain his distance. Shahbazyan pushes off and a finger slides into his eye socket, and MacDonald calls time and tells Petroski to take all the time he needs. With fighters too often hurrying back before they are fully recovered, MacDonald’s request is a solid one. Nevertheless, Petroski waves things back in after 45 seconds, in which he immediately reintroduces himself with a blistering right hand over the top. Shahbazyan does not let him land a second time, instead disrupting his attacks with his flustering jab. Petroski manages to get his hands on the younger fighter, but cannot ground him and settles for a body kick on the way out. Petroski strings together three punches, the third that really gets Shahbazyan’s attention. Shahbazyan loads up with an overhand right, and Petroski’s response of a one-two is effective. Shahbazyan eventually boots his foe in the belly after some time of inaction, and he doubles up on it as Petroski frowns. Shahbazyan skims the top of the head with his foot, and he digs a right to the midsection while Petroski backpedals. They meet in the middle and trade power punches, with Shahbazyan goes to the body and shaking up Petroski to the head. Petroski circles to either direction to try to get his wits about him, remaining safe until the round ends. Once again, the crowd expresses itself about the lackluster match.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 3
The middleweights reach Round 3 and tap hands together, and both punch one another square in the face. As they come together, they clack heads, and Shahbazyan shrugs and signals to MacDonald, who is already calling time. They resume after a few seconds, where Petroski thumps the front leg with a kick and has his beard tested with a right hand. Petroski dives after a single, putting “The Golden Boy” on his seat. Shahbazyan climbs right back to his feet and wipes his feet on the mat, before tossing his cleaned ball of his foot towards his adversary. Shahbazyan rattles off two punches down the middle, swaying and dodging the inevitable counter. Petroski moves from side to side as the audience turns on them once again, even as Shahbazyan slaps the raised guard with a head kick. Petroski pounds the chest of his opponent with his shin, and he gets driven back by a right hand. Shahbazyan unloads with a mighty body kick, slamming it on Petroski’s left arm, and Petroski clutches it. Shahbazyan aims another one to the same spot, his arm possibly damaged, and he goes down from the kick. After dropping down a few punches, Shahbazyan elects to let Petroski back up. “The Golden Boy” goes high with a kick to the same potentially hurt limb, and he moves away from a head kick aimed at him. Petroski chains a single into a step-in knee, and Shahbazyan pushes him back with a right hand. Shahbazyan flicks out his jab to solid effect, skirting away from a low kick and aiming two kicks back. Shahbazyan works over the front leg with another kick, and he connects with a one-two. Petroski marches his man down despite a head kick aimed at him, swinging once and missing wide. Once more, the fighters go the distance tonight, and fans do not love what they witnessed for the last 15 minutes.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)
Devin Tejada scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan (30-27 Shahbazyan)
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Andre Petroski via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Angelo leans Edmen because he is the better athlete and hits hard, and Andre's chin is suspect. He notes that even if Andre gets takedowns, Edmen can survive and have an edge on the feet. However, he feels the odds are a trap and expects a close fight.
Big Brady picks Edmen Shahbazyan by first-round knockout. He notes that Shahbazyan has a 7.5-minute window to finish before his cardio fades, and that Petroski has been knocked out in all his losses. He believes Shahbazyan will land a knockout early, but suggests a live bet on Petroski if the fight goes past the first round.
Connor picks Shahbazyan but is very hesitant, calling the fight a coin flip. He notes that Shahbazyan's problems are fundamental and unlikely to go away, but that Petroski's tendency to gas and his clumsy striking make him vulnerable to an early finish. Connor points out that Shahbazyan's best chance is to knock Petroski out in the first round, as Petroski has been finished early before. If Petroski survives, his durability and grinding style could break Shahbazyan.
Petroski's grappling and power punching will thwart Shahbazyan's striking. He will pin him against the cage, drag him to the ground, and possibly find a submission in the second or third round, but ultimately win on the scorecards.
The Guru initially wavers but ultimately picks Andre Petroski by submission in the third round. He acknowledges Shahbazyan is the better martial artist with superior standup, but fears Shahbazyan will 'fumble' again. He expects Petroski to implement his wrestling and get a late arm-triangle choke, calling it a coin flip.
Zane picks Shahbazyan but is hesitant, acknowledging that Shahbazyan's mental fragility is a major concern. He thinks Petroski is prone to getting overloaded early and that Shahbazyan's power and sharpness in round one could finish him. However, Zane notes that if Petroski survives the first round, he likely wins by grinding Shahbazyan down with wrestling and pressure, as Shahbazyan tends to collapse when his initial blitz fails.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 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 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 7 of 15 | 46% | 7 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Dylan Budka | 0 | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 7 of 15 | 46% | 5 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 6 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 |
| Dylan Budka | 1 of 16 | 6% | 1 of 12 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-355), Budka (+280)
Round 1
In the “featured fight of the night” slot, a .500 fighter with 10 UFC outings goes up against one that has fought and lost twice. Momentum may not be the word of the day here, but the terms ‘pink slip’ or ‘destruction’ could be. Hoping to keep their jobs, Shahbazyan (13-5, 5-5 UFC) aims to follow the successes that David Gladfelter and Cesar Almeida had against Budka (7-4, 0-2 UFC). Keep tabs on the middleweights is referee Chris Tognoni, who stands by as the fighters engage in a clap of hands. Shahbazyan walks forward, through a right hand that catches him fairly cleanly, so he can flick out a pair of jabs. Budka lets fly a body kick, and he parries Shahbazyan coming forward. Budka drives forward behind a pair of jabs, and Shahbazyan sees this coming as a wry grin wraps across his face from ear to ear.
“The Golden Boy” fades back and plants a right hand square on the chin, and Budka’s balance immediately betrays him as he stumbles back and hits the deck. Shahbazyan rushes at “The Mindless Hulk,” depriving him of any further brain cells with a few hammerfists before Tognoni has seen more than enough.
Shahbazyan races off to celebrate with his corner, shocked that their timely advice of a pull-back right hand played out perfectly. That is one more highlight on the reel of the 27-year-old, who may not be totally washed despite the complaints of critics and colleagues.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dylan Budka R1 1:35 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Dylan Budka despite acknowledging that many people think Budka is not good. He argues that Budka has very good offensive wrestling and Edmen Shahbazyan has poor takedown defense (65%) and is useless on the ground. He believes Budka can win with wrestling alone, and that the odds are upside down.
Big Brady picks Shahbazyan by first-round submission, arguing Budka is not on the level of Shahbazyan's previous opponents. Shahbazyan has a huge striking advantage and is even the better grappler. He expects Shahbazyan to hurt Budka, who will panic wrestle, and then snatch a submission. If Shahbazyan loses, he should retire.
Connor picks Edmen Shahbazyan, agreeing with Zane that Budka is not ready for this level. He emphasizes Budka's lack of range game and his need for constant coaching, which makes him operate three steps behind. Connor notes that Shahbazyan, despite his own issues, has the depth of skill to bulldoze opponents like Budka. He also suggests that Shahbazyan might have benefited from being cut from the UFC earlier, like Zalal, to fix his problems.
Lucrative James picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by KO, viewing this as a clear step down in competition for Shahbazyan. He notes that Shahbazyan's losses have come against high-level opponents like Gerald Meerschaert, Anthony Hernandez, and Nassourdine Imavov, while Dylan Budka has not shown UFC-level skills. He believes Shahbazyan's improved grappling and pace will be enough, and that Budka lacks the tools to exploit Shahbazyan's known cardio issues. He expects a finish inside the distance.
Shahbazyan has a big technical gap over Budka and can put him away early, likely within the first round. If it goes longer, his cardio becomes an issue. The -360 odds are iffy but Shahbazyan wins inside the distance.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan to win by early TKO in round one or two. He acknowledges Shahbazyan's past struggles with wrestling and cardio but believes Dylan Budka won't be able to take him down until it's too late. He trusts Shahbazyan's development at Xtreme Couture.
Zane picks Edmen Shahbazyan confidently, despite acknowledging Shahbazyan's well-documented flaws. He notes that Shahbazyan still crushes low-level middleweights and that Dylan Budka is a particularly limited fighter with no range game, no jab, no kicks, and a history of needing excessive in-cage coaching. Zane compares Budka to a 'no-legged man' in an ass-kicking contest, making Shahbazyan the clear pick. He also mentions that Shahbazyan's issues (fading after strong starts) are unlikely to be exploited by Budka.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 27 of 43 | 62% | 31 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 15 of 46 | 32% | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 1 | 27 of 43 | 62% | 31 of 51 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 0:49 |
| A.J. Dobson | 0 | 15 of 46 | 32% | 20 of 54 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 1 | 1:15 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 27 of 43 | 62% | 19 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 16 |
| A.J. Dobson | 15 of 46 | 32% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 12 of 43 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 27 of 43 | 62% | 19 of 34 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 16 of 24 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 16 |
| A.J. Dobson | 15 of 46 | 32% | 7 of 36 | 2 of 2 | 6 of 8 | 12 of 43 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-198), Dobson (+164)
Round 1
In the “featured fight of the night” slot, two relatively young middleweights are both at a crossroads. After starting out his UFC tenure red hot and surging into the rankings, Shahbazyan (12-4, 5-4 UFC) has hit a wall and won just once in five outings. Dobson (7-2, 1 NC; 1-2 UFC) has not struggled quite as much, and a win could right his ship in the Octagon to .500. Both men will try to establish themselves while referee Mark Smith watches on, and they lead off with hands being clapped together. Shahbazyan lands first with a low kick, and Dobson springs into action with a three-punch combo. Shahbazyan tries another lazy kick, and Dobson once more meets him with three in a row. Dobson is a coiled spring ready to strike, and Shahbazyan is more cautious and landing single strikes. Dobson shrugs off a calf kick and puts a one-two on the chin, and he takes two left hands on the temple to back him off for a moment. Dobson chips at the lead leg twice until they crash together throwing hands, and he tags “The Golden Boy” with a right hand. Shahbazyan is stunned and shoots for a takedown, and Dobson stands him up with a guillotine choke try. Dobson looks to make him pay with short shots, and Shahbazyan gloms onto him and hits a trip takedown. Dobson scrambles madly to get out of bad position, and he manages to flip him over and get into the guard of his foe. Dobson connects with left hands, and Shahbazyan answers with elbows off his back. Dobson clubs his opponent with right hands until Shahbazyan wraps him up and looks for an armbar. Dobson shrugs it off and absorbs more elbows to the side of the head as Shahbazyan squirms his way to the fence. Shahbazyan stands back up with the wall behind him, and he lands a knee on the inside and turns Dobson around in the clinch. Shahbazyan tries to wrangle Dobson down to the mat, and Dobson nearly falls on top of him until Shahbazyan muscles his way back up. Dobson pushes off out of the clinch and catches Shahbazyan with a left hand, and he beats Shahbazyan to the punch with a pair of strikes. Dobson lunges out with a left, and he chains a few punches together and gets caught with a vicious left hand.
Dobson crumbles to the mat, and Shahbazyan jackhammers him with punches and ferocious elbows. Dobson teeters on the edge of consciousness as Shahbazyan delivers punishment, and the strikes put him out as his head bounces off the mat.
Shahbazyan continues punching until Smith recognizes that Dobson is unconscious and he calls a halt to the fight. What a dramatic round for Shahbazyan, who outlasts a rough few minutes to knock Dobson unconscious. This marks the first time that Dobson has been finished as a professional, while clocking in as Shahbazyan’s first stoppage in the first round since 2019.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. A.J. Dobson R1 4:33 via KO (Elbows and Punches)
Angelo picks A.J. Dobson as an underdog, surprised by the plus 160 odds. He believes Dobson has plenty of power, wrestling, and chin to win. He plans to wait for prop bets, specifically a plus 3.5 round bet, to protect against a decision loss where Dobson wins at least one round.
Big Brady picks Edmen Shahbazyan, believing he is the better striker and more active. He notes Shahbazyan's takedown defense is not terrible and that Dobson is low volume. He acknowledges Shahbazyan's cardio issues but expects him to win the first two rounds and hold on for a 29-28 decision.
Cody picks Shahbazyan, believing he will outclass Dobson on the feet and land a knockout. He notes Shahbazyan's power and finishing ability, but also acknowledges his cardio issues. Cody bets the under 2.5 rounds, expecting a finish.
Daniel Vreeland leans toward Edmen Shahbazyan because he believes A.J. Dobson won't push the pace enough to expose Shahbazyan's cardio issues. He acknowledges Shahbazyan has broken in extended fights before but thinks Dobson's low output favors Shahbazyan. He is not confident enough to bet the favorite.
Shahbazyan has a striking and speed advantage, and his submission game is solid. However, his cardio is a major concern; he tends to slow down. Dobson is a low-output striker with mediocre wrestling, but he has a better gas tank. Shahbazyan should land easily and could finish early, possibly by submission. A small sprinkle on Dobson in round three is mentioned, but the pick is Shahbazyan inside the distance.
Paul leans toward the over 2.5 rounds, citing Shahbazyan's cardio issues and Dobson's durability. He thinks Dobson will try to wrestle and slow the fight down, which could lead to a decision. Paul picks Shahbazyan but expects a tough fight, possibly going to decision.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan over A.J. Dobson, citing Shahbazyan's speed and accuracy. He thinks Shahbazyan will land a right hand and finish with uppercuts and knees against the cage. He predicts a first-round TKO, noting Dobson's lack of speed and inability to get takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 30 of 51 | 58% | 33 of 55 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 63 of 88 | 71% | 77 of 105 | 6 of 15 | 40% | 4 | 0 | 7:11 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 25 of 42 | 59% | 27 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 0:23 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 17 of 30 | 2 of 8 | 25% | 2 | 0 | 2:29 | |
| 2 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:18 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 28 of 39 | 71% | 39 of 50 | 3 of 6 | 50% | 2 | 0 | 3:54 | |
| 3 | Anthony Hernandez | 0 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 20 of 22 | 90% | 21 of 25 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:48 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Hernandez | 30 of 51 | 58% | 21 of 42 | 8 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 35 | 11 of 14 | 2 of 2 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 63 of 88 | 71% | 55 of 79 | 4 of 4 | 4 of 5 | 15 of 33 | 8 of 8 | 40 of 47 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anthony Hernandez | 25 of 42 | 59% | 17 of 34 | 7 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 27 | 10 of 13 | 2 of 2 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 15 of 27 | 55% | 13 of 24 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 7 of 19 | 6 of 6 | 2 of 2 | |
| 2 | Anthony Hernandez | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 7 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 28 of 39 | 71% | 22 of 33 | 3 of 3 | 3 of 3 | 7 of 13 | 2 of 2 | 19 of 24 | |
| 3 | Anthony Hernandez | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 20 of 22 | 90% | 20 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Hernandez (-240), Shahbazyan (+200)
Round 1
It’s an all-California middleweight rumble in the co-main attraction, as the resurgent Shahbazyan (12-3, 5-3 UFC) looks to halt the impressive but brief win streak of “Fluffy” Hernandez (10-2, 1 NC; 4-2 UFC). Finish rates of 92% for the former and 80% for the latter mean that while the judges might not be needed for the bout’s duration, referee Herb Dean very well may be required. Before the action begins, the two 185ers try to touch gloves and miss, so they abandon it. Shahbazyan lands the first blow with a right hand, and Hernandez responds with a takedown entry. Shahbazyan loads up with a right hand to hurt “Fluffy” and bends him over, and Hernandez backs away to the wall as Shahbazyan unloads with a series of punches. Hernandez backs away, shells up, sticks his tongue out and counters. Hernandez then goes for a takedown, and he gets tossed out of the way and tagged with a serious jab from his foe. Shahbazyan steps in with a one-two that knocks Hernandez back, and Hernandez rolls with it to take away the worst of it but he cannot buy a takedown at this point. Shahbazyan counters an entry with a knee and stands his foe up when trying, and he scores an elbow and looks to counter with a takedown of his own. Hernandez jumps guard with a guillotine choke, and he bails on it to stand when it is not close. When both are up again, Shahbazyan kicks his foe in the chest, and Hernandez gives chase and drills him the face with a right hand. Hernandez jams his man into the wire, where he looks for a body lock takedown or a throw. Hernandez chains his attempt to a single, and he runs his foe from one side of the cage to the other but cannot ground him. Shahbazyan defends well and plants a knee on the chest, and Hernandez slashes an elbow over the top to cut open the left eyebrow. Hernandez shoots and finds himself in guillotine choke danger, and he turns all the way through it to get out. Shahbazyan rolls to his back to go after an armbar, and he loses the grip and winds up in choke danger on his own side. Hernandez looks for a modified arm-in guillotine choke, and he lets it go so that he can take the fight down on his own terms. Shahbazyan works his way up, and he eats a few elbows and succumbs to a double with 20 seconds to spare. Hernandez sets up a rear-naked choke while his foe is seated, and Shahbazyan stands up and takes a knee on the chin before the horn sounds to end the wild frame.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Round 2
The middleweights meet in the center of the cage, and Hernandez lands a punch, a kick and shoots in for a takedown. When Shahbazyan turns it around on him, Hernandez goes for his unorthodox guillotine again. Shahbazyan turns through to get to a knee, and he stands up and pushes off with a right hand. The two trade jabs, their pace slowed momentarily, and Hernandez chains a jab into an elbow. When Shahbazyan backs into the cage, Hernandez rings his bell with a straight right hand. This leads to a tie-up, and both men fight to get a takedown and drop to a knee. Shahbazyan drops down for a single, and Hernandez dumps him on his face, turns the corner and hits a double. Hernandez lets him sit up so he can punch him in the face, and he stays pinned to a fatiguing Shahbazyan and looks to pick him up and throw him down again. Shahbazyan stands up and gets kneed in the chest, and he is fading fast as Hernandez is on him, smothering him or landing punches. Hernandez grabs hold of a guillotine choke, and he flips his foe over to full mount. When Shahbazyan scrambles, Hernandez transitions the choke to another side, and then to an anaconda. Shahbazyan escapes them all, winding up on top, but Hernandez is on him with another guillotine in the blink of an eye. Hernandez takes his back and looks for a choke, all while working Shahbazyan over with elbows when he can find one. Hernandez goes for another one of his strange guillotine chokes, and he lets it go to take the back and fish for a rear-naked choke. Shahbazyan turns and defends properly, but he cannot get Hernandez off of him. Hernandez sits up with fierce punches and elbows, and he thumps Shahbazyan with elbows to the head, body and thigh until the horn blares.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-8 Hernandez
Edwin Ayala scores the round: 10-9 Hernandez
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-8 Hernandez
Round 3
The fighters have reached the last round, and Hernandez reintroduces himself to his foe with a head kick. It does not take more than about 12 seconds for Hernandez to hit a takedown, and he sits up and starts belting the spent Shahbazyan with punches and elbows.
The elbows from “Fluffy” have opened up another cut on the face of his opponent, and he sits up and keeps beating on his doomed adversary. Hernandez, seeing that he has Shahbazyan at the end of his rope, slashes down with elbows and adds in few punches to seal the deal. Dean, seeing that Shahbazyan is completely cooked, intervenes for a merciful stoppage
, saving the young fighter from any further punishment. “Fluffy” made a seriously statement to the rest of the middleweight division with this gutsy performance, and he might have a number next to his name next week, now celebrating four stoppages in row.
The Official Result
Alexander Hernandez def. Edmen Shahbazyan R3 1:01 via TKO (Elbows and Punches)
Angelo picks Anthony Hernandez confidently, citing his superior grappling and high takedown volume. He notes that while Hernandez's control could be better, Shahbazyan struggles to get back to his feet when taken down. He considers Hernandez safe for parlays.
Big Brady picks Anthony Hernandez to submit Edmen Shahbazyan in the second round. He calls it a terrible matchup for Shahbazyan, who has historically faded in later rounds. Hernandez is known for his cardio, pressure, and wrestling, and should break Shahbazyan. He notes Shahbazyan is dangerous early but expects Hernandez to weather the storm and finish him in the second.
Cody highlights Hernandez's relentless wrestling and cardio, noting he averaged 8 takedowns in his last two fights. He contrasts Shahbazyan's tendency to fade after the first round and poor takedown defense. He expects Hernandez to wear Shahbazyan down with chain wrestling and secure a late finish or dominant decision.
Connor picks Shahbazyan, citing his much cleaner striking and the potential to finish Hernandez early. He acknowledges the risk of Hernandez's pace but believes Shahbazyan's improved camp (ditching Tiverdian, sparring with Sean Strickland, training at Xtreme Couture) and his composed performance against Lungiambula are good signs. He thinks Shahbazyan could easily knock Hernandez out or tune him up, and that Hernandez's wide-open striking leaves opportunities for Shahbazyan to land clean shots.
Daniel Levi confidently picks Anthony 'Fluffy' Hernandez. He highlights Hernandez's relentless takedown game, noting he landed 16 takedowns in his last two fights (8/11 vs Josh Fremd, 8/14 vs Marc-André Barriault). He believes Hernandez will survive Shahbazyan's dangerous first round and then break him with pressure and grappling, as Shahbazyan has historically faded past the first round. Levi acknowledges Hernandez's durability concerns (body shots) but thinks his wrestling and cardio will be the difference.
The host is very confident in Anthony Hernandez, calling it a smash spot. He believes Hernandez's relentless forward pressure, cardio, and grappling will drown Shahbazyan, who has cardio issues. He predicts a submission in round two, noting that if Shahbazyan doesn't get an early KO, Hernandez will take over.
Paul agrees, citing Hernandez's improved pace and cardio, and the stylistic advantage of his wrestling against Shahbazyan's suspect takedown defense. He notes that Shahbazyan's cardio issues are likely to be exploited, leading to Hernandez dominating later rounds.
The MMA Guru picks Anthony Hernandez, calling him a style designed to beat Edmen Shahbazyan. He highlights Hernandez's pace-pushing wrestling and scrambles, which he believes will get into Shahbazyan's head. He notes Shahbazyan's demons may creep in as the fight goes on, and that Hernandez is a nightmare matchup. He acknowledges a chance Shahbazyan wins by first-round TKO but expects Hernandez to overcome early danger and win.
Zane picks Hernandez because he believes Shahbazyan's historical issues with pace and grappling pressure will resurface. He notes that Hernandez has one of the best gas tanks and pushes a relentless pace, which is exactly the kind of problem Shahbazyan has struggled with. Even with Shahbazyan's improved camp and confidence from his last win, Zane needs to see more than a win over Dalcha Lungiambula to trust him against a pressure fighter like Hernandez.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 54 of 107 | 50% | 60 of 113 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:08 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 23 of 48 | 47% | 26 of 51 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 20 of 35 | 57% | 26 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:52 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 14 of 25 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:15 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 0 | 34 of 72 | 47% | 34 of 72 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:16 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 0 | 12 of 26 | 46% | 12 of 26 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edmen Shahbazyan | 54 of 107 | 50% | 31 of 78 | 20 of 25 | 3 of 4 | 37 of 72 | 7 of 10 | 10 of 25 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 23 of 48 | 47% | 6 of 24 | 11 of 18 | 6 of 6 | 22 of 46 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 20 of 35 | 57% | 4 of 16 | 13 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 17 of 32 | 3 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 11 of 22 | 50% | 1 of 8 | 5 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 11 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Edmen Shahbazyan | 34 of 72 | 47% | 27 of 62 | 7 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 20 of 40 | 4 of 7 | 10 of 25 |
| Dalcha Lungiambula | 12 of 26 | 46% | 5 of 16 | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 11 of 24 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Shahbazyan (-280), Lungiambula (+235)
Round 1
Once a surging contender, Shahbazyan (11-3, 4-3 UFC) has his back against the wall after three straight humbling losses. The 25-year-old took a long time off and changed camps from Glendale Fighting Club to Xtreme Couture in hopes of a new beginning, and this path will officially start when he faces fellow powerhouse Lungiambula (11-5, 2-4 UFC). This fight that could last 15 seconds or 15 minutes will be officiated by referee Chris Tognoni, who observes the two men touching gloves first. Shahbazyan leads off with a jab, and he swats away a body kick. Two punches come over the top from “The Golden Boy,” who follows the strikes with a low kick. Lungiambula swings and misses with a kick, and the fighters in alternating stands hand-fight without throwing much. Shahbazyan stings his man with a right hand over the top, but it is one-and-done without any subsequent effort. Shahbazyan dodges a counter and lands two right hands to the head and body, and Lungiambula springs into action and leaps in with heavy swatting punches. Shahbazyan works the body with a right hand and a kick, hoping to take some of the power out of the man known as “Champion.” Lungiambula blocks a head kick, and they both get off loud body kicks. Shahbazyan swings a kick to the midsection and then goes up high with the other leg, and he ducks out of the way when looping hooks fly over his head. Lungiambula sits down on a thudding body kick, and Shahbazyan answers him in their slow-paced version of Paco vs. Frank Dux from “Bloodsport.” Unlike that fight, Lungiambula choose to shoot in for a takedown, and Shahbazyan bounces off the fence as he hops away to defend it. Shahbazyan turns him around in the clinch and knees to the body are traded, and the two stall out in this position with short strikes offered from each. Shahbazyan partially absorbs a knee to the groin, complains, and when that falls on deaf ears, he pushes off. After the lull in action, Shahbazyan dodges a head kick just in the nick of time. Lungiambula swings for the bleachers, falling over in the process, catching Shahbazyan with a few punches but missing with most. The horn sounds, and Lungiambula throws one more punch that misses by a matter of inches, and Tognoni admonishes him.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Shahbazyan
Round 2
The middleweights meet in the middle without a glove touch this time, and Lungiambula reintroduces him with a whipping kick to the ribs. Lungiambula chases with a one-two, and he stuns Shahbazyan with a short right hand. Shahbazyan answers with a power right of his own, and Lungiambula ignores it and throws his whole body into a looping left hand that misses the mark widely. Lungiambula cracks his man with a left hand, and the punch bounces off the head and hits the groin in an unusual ricochet. Shahbazyan is upset with the perceived foul, and Tognoni calls it and lets Shahbazyan recover. They get back to it after about a minute break, and they continue to swing single haymakers at one another. When they clash together throwing so hard, Shahbazyan connects with a knee to the chin, and Lungiambula answers with a head kick that wobbles “The Golden Boy.” Lungiambula slowly plods forward as Shahbazyan skirts away on the outside, and he wings power strikes with bad intentions. Shahbazyan responds with a right hook and a body kick, and he gets back on his bike. Lungiambula walks him down and connects twice, and he smacks the body with a kick. Shahbazyan fires off a right hand and a head kick, and Lungiambula dives forward after taking a subsequent body shot for a level change.
Shahbazyan answers this with a ferocious knee right on the chin, and Lungiambula is stung. Shahbazyan unleashes a fury of knees and punches, knocking Lungiambula against the wall and hurting him badly. Lungiambula loosely responds with a right hook that misses the mark, and Shahbazyan blasts him with a knee and is on him like a cheap suit, forcing a desperate Lungiambula to his knees. Shahbazyan unloads with punches to the side of the head as he tries to put his man away, and Lungiambula is stuck and just trying to protect himself without moving.
This is enough for Tognoni to intervene, as he feels “Champion” is no longer intelligently defending himself. Shahbazyan claims that he is back, and that he is “Vegas Edmen” now, having put an end to a rough skid with a second-round stoppage.
The Official Result
Edmen Shahbazyan def. Dalcha Lungiambula R2 4:41 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Shahbazyan despite his three-fight losing streak, because Lungiambula has terrible cardio and tends to gas out after wrestling. He notes that Shahbazyan's takedown defense is suspect (57%) and Lungiambula is a judo black belt who could take him down, but Lungiambula's tendency to exhaust himself makes him vulnerable. Angelo warns not to put Shahbazyan in parlays as he could be a parlay buster.
Big Brady picks Edmen Shahbazyan, noting the significant step down in competition. He highlights Shahbazyan's power and well-rounded skills, while criticizing Lungiambula's poor gas tank and low volume. He expects Shahbazyan to win by second round knockout, possibly by wrestling to tire Lungiambula.
Cody picks Shahbazyan, citing his talent and that he has moved to a new gym (Extreme Couture). He thinks Lungiambula is a gatekeeper on a losing streak and that Shahbazyan should win if he doesn't gas. He notes Shahbazyan's previous losses were to top competition and that this is a step down.
Daniel Levi picks Edmen Shahbazyan but with low confidence, calling him a 'fraud past the first round.' He notes Shahbazyan is a potent first-round finisher but has broken every time he's gone past the first round. Levi acknowledges Dalcha Lungiambula's power and experience in later rounds, but thinks Shahbazyan may catch him early. He warns against laying the -280 price and says if Shahbazyan doesn't finish in the first, he will likely quit. Levi picks Shahbazyan by first-round finish but advises against betting him.
Lock is on the inside the distance line for Shahbazyan, agreeing with the co-host that this is a good jumping-off point to buy in at $1.35. He thinks the move to Extreme Couture was the best thing for his career, and that the team will help him remember what he's good at and how to get finishes. He expects a rejuvenated version of Shahbazyan and believes he will put together a couple of good wins, though he doesn't expect a huge bump immediately.
Paul picks Shahbazyan but is scared off by the price. He notes Lungiambula has power and could land a shot, but thinks Shahbazyan should win. He is not confident enough to lay the juice.
The MMA Guru picks Edmen Shahbazyan over Dalcha Lungiambula, despite initially considering the underdog. He notes that Shahbazyan's losses are to top competition like Nassourdine Imavov and Jack Hermansson, and he looked impressive against Brad Tavares. He believes Shahbazyan has improved his grappling and training at Extreme Couture with Ankalaev, and will survive an early storm to win by TKO in the second or third round.
Expert Picks (6)
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.
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