Gerald Meerschaert sets incredible record with comeback win at UFC Fight Night
Gerald Meerschaert returned to the limelight at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus, ending his bout in spectacular fashion.
'GM3' set a record for the most submission wins in UFC middleweight division history with a total of eight.
#UFCVegas45 results: Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) def. Dustin Stoltzfus via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 2:58
Full results: bit.ly/3J1iR8F https://t.co/PT7nUTTtGh
UFC Vegas 45 saw Meerschaert put on a phenomenal performance against fellow middleweight Dustin Stoltzfus.
Gerald Meerschaert came into the fight with two submission victories already and ended his calendar year with three wins after a mostly disappointing 2020.
Against Stoltzfus at UFC Vegas 45, Meerschaert found success in the striking department early in the fight. However, Stoltzfus controlled Gerald Meerschaert on the ground to decisively win the first two rounds in the judges' books.
Re-phrasing for clarity:
If Gerald Meerschaert wins next weekend, he should be in the conversation for Comeback of the Year.
He will be 3-0 in 2021 coming off of back to back 1st round KO losses.
One of those wins was as a +500 underdog against Makhmud Muradov.
Nevertheless, Gerald Meerschaert turned the tide in his favor in the third round. Desperate for a finish after losing the first two rounds, Meerschaert locked in a deep rear-naked choke on Stoltzfus, which was enough for 'GM3' to get a shocking victory.
HE NEEDED A FINISH AND HE GOT IT! 😳 😳 😳
GM3 was down two rounds before sinking in the RNC!!! #UFCVegas45 https://t.co/sYY4LDh2mf
Earlier in April this year, Meerschaert finished Bartosz Fabinski via a guillotine choke in the first round. He followed this up with a rear naked choke finish of Makhmud Muradov in August.
Gerald Meerschaert spoke brought up future plans after his disastrous loss to Khamzat Chimaev
Gerald Meerschaert suffered a devastating loss against rising middleweight prospect Khamzat Chimaev in 2020. In the fight, Meerschaert was knocked out by the very first punch landed by 'Borz'.
Khamzat Chimaev (-500 ML) with the insane one punch KO (round 1 KO +400) over Gerald Meerschaert #UFCVegas11 https://t.co/sC0eOh2s3B
After his defeat against Chimaev, Meerschaert spoke to the UFC about his journey and what really matters in the sport of MMA.
He focused on the true power of perseverance and determination and said:
“Wins and losses are going to happen, but if I know I’m improving as a fighter, I’m going to keep at this,” Meerschaert told UFC.com. “I’ve still been improving, and I show you guys every time that I step in there that I can get better. It doesn’t matter how many times you get knocked down, it’s how many times you get back up.”
And that's exactly what 'GM3' has done in 2021. He racked up 3 submission victories in 3 fights and extended his MMA record to 34 wins with 14 losses.
Of his 34 victories, 32 fights have come by a finish.