Prior to each UFC card, Jay Primetown takes a close look at debuting fighters. In the latest installment, we look middleweight Gerald Meerschaert as he makes his UFC debut against Joe Gigliotti at UFC Fight Night 102 in Albany, New York Gerald “The Machine” Meerschaert Hometown: Racine, Wisconsin Age: 28 Height: 6’1” Reach: 75” Weight Class: Middleweight Camp: Roufusport Career Record: 24-8 Key Wins: Sam Alvey Key Losses: Sam Alvey, Anthony Lapsley Background A Roufusport product, Gerald Meerschaert is a 10-year veteran of mixed martial arts. He’s earned 22 of his 24 career wins by stoppage. Submissions are his specialty with 17 submission victories overall. He is the RFA middleweight champion and enters the UFC on a five-fight winning streak. Strengths
- Refined skill set
- Strong submission game
- Does his best stand up work in the clinch
- Good conditioning
- Excellent chin
Weaknesses
- Lacks one punch knockout power
- Not a great athlete
- Susceptible to being submitted
Matchup against Joe Gigliotti Former RFA Middleweight Champion Gerald Meerschaert makes his UFC debut against fellow former RFA fighter Joe Gigliotti. Despite Gigliotti getting to the UFC first, Meerschaert is the vastly more experienced fighter and I believe that’s a key aspect to this fight. Meerschaert is the longer, more rangy fighter with more tools in his arsenal. Gigliotti certainly hits harder, but Meerschaert has a more diverse striking set and has a much better all-around submission game. Meerschaert has never been knocked out in his professional career of 32 fights, so I believe if he gets hit with a big punch he’ll be able to handle it. The biggest difference in this bout is conditioning. Gigliotti is muscle heavy and really slows down after one round of activity. Meerschaert has been training with Mike Rhodes who had been preparing for a 5 round title fight in Victory FC. I expect that superior conditioning to play a major part in this fight. Meerschaert will be able to survive Gigliotti’s initial blitz and then take over the fight as he tires. Look for a finish in the second round. The moneyline price (-225) is a bit high for anyone making their UFC debut, so I’m looking for a submission prop once the line is released. UFC Ceiling Gerald Meerschaert is a rare fighter that is already close to a refined product entering the UFC. That can be a positive for him as he’ll be able to do fairly well right away in the UFC. He has an all-around skill set and can do well against fighters with varying backgrounds. The biggest issue I see is I don’t see him being a great athlete and it will be difficult for him to compete with the faster, stronger fighters in the weightclass as he moves his way up the ranks. I see him as a fighter that can earn a few wins in the UFC, but not one that will ever be ranked in the division’s top 15. Fight Film Check out Gerald Meerschaert in some of his most recent fights: Gerald Meerschaert vs. Anthony Lapsley Gerald Meerschaert vs. Chase Waldon MMA Oddsbreaker’s James Lynch interview with Gerald Meerschaert