Gerald Meerschaert

Background Meerschaert was born in Racine, Wisconsin, United States.

Mixed martial arts career Early career After a 1–0 amateur career, Meerschaert fought most of his fights in his native state of Wisconsin, from 2007 to 2011. He started traveling to nearby states to compete after 2012. Prior to joining the UFC, he was an active fighter with a record of 25–8. He lost his first fight to Jay Ellis via a technical submission. Two months after his first loss, he bounced back to snap a win via kimura. His third MMA fight came one week later on May 19, 2007, against Will Pace. He won the fight via rear-naked choke in round one.

On January 12, 2008, Meerschaert faced Kenneth Allen and won via triangle choke in round one. Five weeks later, Meerschaert stepped in the cage and competed against Caleb Krull. He won the fight via unanimous decision (29–28, 29–28, 29–27). Meerschaert was back to the cage again four weeks later vs. Alex Carter. Meerschaert won the fight via triangle choke in round two. His last fight in Freestyle Combat was on May 3, 2008, vs. Ryan Scheeper. Meerschaert won via armbar in the first round.

Meerschaert fought Mike Vaughn July 25, 2008. Meerschaert won via first round rear-naked choke.

Meerschaert fought Curtis Bailey October 10, 2008. The fight was held in Madison, Wisconsin on Madtown Throwdown 17. The fight was five rounds, and Meerschaert lost the fight via guillotine choke in round two.

After a busy year in 2009, Meerschaert did not set foot on the cage to compete until May 2, 2009. He fought Kenny Robertson on Madtown Throwdown 19 and lost via a kneebar submission on round one.

He started off by fighting on Gladiators Cage Fighting: Fair Warning on August 15, 2009, his opponent was Jacob Kuester and Meerschaert managed to overpower Kuester and submitted him via a neck crank. On the next fight, Meerschaert face-off Morrison Lamb on Racine Fight Night 5 on November 28, 2009, in his hometown, Racine, Wisconsin. It was a short fight where Meerschaert submitted Lamb via a guillotine choke on round one.

Meerschaert faced Eddie Larrea at Extreme Cagefigting Organisation 4 on March 20, 2010. Meerschaert secured the win via an arm-triangle choke. April 17, 2010, Meerschaert fought in Combat USA 19. Meerschaert punched his way through and knocked out Jim Klimczyk and snatched the win.

His last competition in 2010 was on September 11. He took on Sam Alvey, with a record of 11–1–0, ranking number 1 in Wisconsin in the middleweight division. They competed on Combat USA: Championship Tournament Finals for a five-round title middleweight fight. On the early rounds, Meerschaert attempted multiple takedowns but Alvey managed to stop most of them; however, Meerschaert managed to put Alvey on a guillotine choke on round 5 and secured the win to reign Wisconsin State middleweight 2010 champion.

The next fight came 3 months later where Meerschaert took on Herbert Goodman, the former Green Bay Packers football player, defending his Wisconsin Middleweight title on Combat USA: Wisconsin State Finals. Meerscheart lost the fight via a rear-naked choke on round one when he was taken down by Goodman after failing to hit Goodman with his left overhand, giving his back to Goodman where Goodman managed to sink a rear-naked choke.

Six months later, Meerschaert went on to join the Rogue Warrior Championship 3 competition on the welterweight fight on September 6, 2011. He faced Eddie Larrea and won the fight via a rear-naked choke on round one.

Meerschaert did not return to the cage after he lost to Goodman until about one the half-year later when he went on to join the Rogue Warrior Championship 3 competition on the welterweight fight on September 6, 2011. He faced Eddie Larrea and won the fight via a rear-naked choke on round one. The second and also the last fight Meerschaert take on for 2012 was on October 19. He was up against Sergej Juskevic at Score Fighting Series. He lost the fight on round two via kneebar submission.

On January 19, 2013, he took on Anthony Lapsley on a catchweight bout (175 Ib) on Rocktagon MMA Elite Series 23. He lost the fight on round one via rear-naked choke. He next faced Jay Ellis on King of the Cage: Certified on April 20, 2013, a catchweight bout (180 Ib). He bounced back from the last two defeat and captured the win with TKO (punches) in round one. Meerschaert went to Duluth, Georgia, to compete on National Fighting Championships 58 on July 19, 2013. The fight was a 180 Ib catchweight bout. The judges awarded him with the win after three battle against George Lockhart.

Meerschaert moved up to Middleweight (185 Ibs) in 2014 and competed in North American Fighting Championship in two fights. First, he faced Eddie Larrea which he secured a win via arm-triangle choke and moved on to fight Sam Alvey on their second meet up and this time he lost by unanimous decision on judges' scorecards.

Meerschaert aced Keith Smetana at 4BC: Capital City Punishment in June 2015. He won a quick win via TKO in round one. His next and last fight in 2015 came one month later and won via another TKO (doctor stoppage) against Lucas Rota.

Meerschaert started his first fight in 2016 by moving up to Light Heavyweight division (205 Ibs). He fought at Valor Fight 36 and his opponent was Sidney Wheeler. He threatened Wheeler with a kimura and forced him to tap out on round one. His last fight before joining UFC was in October 2016, facing Chase Waldon in Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) in Middleweight bout. He earned the victory via submission (arm-triangle choke) on round one, earning him the RFA middleweight title. He won the fight via anaconda choke submission in round one. His performance earned him a Performance of the Night bonus award.

2017 Meerschaert faced Ryan Janes on February 19, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne. He won the fight via submission in the first round.

Meerschaert faced Thiago Santos on July 8, 2017, at UFC 213. He lost the fight via TKO in the second round.

Meerschaert fought Eric Spicely on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale. He won the bout via TKO in the second round. This win earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.

2018 Meerschaert faced Oskar Piechota on July 6, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale. He won the fight via technical submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Meerschaert faced Jack Hermansson on December 15, 2018, at UFC on Fox 31. He lost the fight via guillotine choke submission in the first round.

2019 Meerschaert faced Kevin Holland on March 30, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 2. He lost the fight via split decision.

Meerschaert faced Trevin Giles on August 3, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 5. He won the fight via technical submission in the third round due to a guillotine choke.

Meerschaert faced Eryk Anders on October 12, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 161. He lost the fight by split decision.

2020 Meerschaert faced Deron Winn on March 7, 2020, at UFC 248. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke submission in the third round.

Meerschaert was scheduled to face Ian Heinisch on June 6, 2020, at UFC 250, however, two days before the fight Heinisch's cornerman tested positive for COVID-19. Heinisch was pulled from the fight and replaced by promotional newcomer Anthony Ivy. Subsequently, the cornerman in question was re-tested and the initial test was proven to be false positive and Heinisch was reinstated to the card. Finally, Meerschaert faced Heinisch as originally scheduled and lost the fight via TKO in the first round.

Meerschaert was expected to face Ed Herman in a light heavyweight bout on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Brunson vs. Shahbazyan. On the day of the event, Meerschaert pulled out due to testing positive for COVID-19 and his bout against Herman was cancelled. The bout was rescheduled for September 12, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 177. However, Meerschaert again withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reason and he was replaced by John Allan.

Meerschaert faced Khamzat Chimaev on September 19, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley. He lost the fight via knockout 17 seconds into round one.

2021 Meerschaert faced Bartosz Fabiński on April 17, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 22. He won the fight via technical submission in round one. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Meerschaert faced Makhmud Muradov on August 28, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 30. After a back-and-forth fight, he won the fight via rear-naked choke submission in round two. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Meerschaert was scheduled to face Abusupiyan Magomedov on December 18, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 199. However, Magomedov was forced to pull from the event due to visa issue and he was replaced by Dustin Stoltzfus. He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the third round.

2022 Meerschaert faced Krzysztof Jotko on April 30, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 35. He lost the bout via unanimous decision.

Meerschaert faced Bruno Silva on August 13, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 41 He won the fight via a guillotine choke in round three.

2023 Meerschaert was scheduled again to face Abusupiyan Magomedov on February 18, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 219. The fight was cancelled, again due to Magomedov having visa issues.

Meerschaert faced Joe Pyfer on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

Meerschaert faced Andre Petroski on August 19, 2023, at UFC 292. He lost the bout via split decision.

2024 Meerschaert faced Bryan Barberena on March 16, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 239. He won the bout by a rear-naked choke submission at the end of the second round.

Meerschaert faced Edmen Shahbazyan on August 24, 2024, at UFC on ESPN 62. Despite being dropped by a body blow and receiving repeated ground strikes, he won the fight via an arm-triangle submission in the second round. With his twelfth UFC finish, Meershaert surpassed Anderson Silva for the most finishes in UFC Middleweight history.

Meerschaert faced former ONE Light Heavyweight and Middleweight World Champion Reinier de Ridder on November 9, 2024 at UFC Fight Night 247. He lost the fight via an arm-triangle choke submission in the third round.

2025 Meerschaert faced Brad Tavares on April 5, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 65. He lost the fight by unanimous decision.

Meerschaert faced Michał Oleksiejczuk on August 16, 2025, at UFC 319. He lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.

Meerschaert faced Kyle Daukaus on November 15, 2025, at UFC 322. He lost the fight via a brabo choke submission early into round one.

2026 Meerschaert faced Jacob Malkoun on May 2, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 275. At the weigh-ins, Meerschaert weighed in at 190 pounds, 4 pounds over the middleweight non-title fight limit. His bout proceeded at catchweight and he was fined 30 percent of his purse, which went to Malkoun. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Meerschaert is scheduled to face Julius Walker on October 10, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 290.

Professional grappling career Meerschaert stepped in on less than a week's notice to compete against Joe Pyfer at Fury Pro Grappling 7 on May 27, 2023. He lost the match by unanimous decision.

Meerschaert competed against Craig Jones in the main event of Polaris 26 on November 4, 2023. He lost the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

Personal life Meerschaert earned the moniker "The Machine" after his friends saw him constantly pushing himself in the gym without taking any breaks. In his spare time, he plays the alto saxophone.

Championships and accomplishments Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Five times) Second highest submission finish rate in UFC history (11 submissions / 12 wins - 91.7%) Second most submission attempts in UFC Middleweight division history (19) Highest finish rate in UFC history (12 finishes / 12 wins - 100%) (Minimum 10 UFC wins) Second most bouts in UFC Middleweight division history (26) UFC.com Awards 2021: Ranked #3 Upset of the Year vs. Makhmud Muradov Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA) RFA Middleweight Championship (One time) Combat USA Championship Wisconsin State Middleweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Loss

Jacob Malkoun Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Della Maddalena vs. Prates

Perth, Australia Loss

Kyle Daukaus Submission (D’arce choke) UFC 322

New York City, New York, United States Loss

Michał Oleksiejczuk TKO (punches) UFC 319

Chicago, Illinois, United States Loss

Brad Tavares Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Emmett vs. Murphy

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Reinier de Ridder Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Prates

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Edmen Shahbazyan Submission (arm-triangle choke) UFC on ESPN: Cannonier vs. Borralho

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bryan Barberena Technical Submission (face crank) UFC Fight Night: Tuivasa vs. Tybura

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Andre Petroski Decision (split) UFC 292

Boston, Massachusetts, United States Loss

Joe Pyfer TKO (punches) UFC 287

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Bruno Silva Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Cruz

San Diego, California, United States Loss

Krzysztof Jotko Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Font vs. Vera

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Dustin Stoltzfus Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Daukaus

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Makhmud Muradov Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Chikadze

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Bartosz Fabiński Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Whittaker vs. Gastelum

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Khamzat Chimaev KO (punch) UFC Fight Night: Covington vs. Woodley

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Ian Heinisch TKO (punches) UFC 250

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Deron Winn Submission (rear-naked choke) UFC 248

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Eryk Anders Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Joanna vs. Waterson

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Trevin Giles Technical Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Lawler

Newark, New Jersey, United States Loss

Kevin Holland Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Barboza vs. Gaethje

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States Loss

Jack Hermansson Submission (guillotine choke) UFC on Fox: Lee vs. Iaquinta 2

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Oskar Piechota Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Eric Spicely TKO (body kick) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Thiago Santos TKO (punches) UFC 213

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Ryan Janes Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Browne

Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada Win

Joe Gigliotti Submission (anaconda choke) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Abdurakhimov

Albany, New York, United States Win

Chase Waldon Submission (arm-triangle choke) RFA 45

Prior Lake, Minnesota, United States Win

Sidney Wheeler Submission (kimura) Valor Fights 36

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States Win

Lucas Rota TKO (doctor stoppage) Titan FC 34

Kansas City, Missouri, United States Win

Keith Smetana TKO (punches) Dakota FC: Capital City Punishment

Bismarck, North Dakota, United States Win

Matt Lagou Submission (arm-triangle choke) KOTC: Magnum Force

Carlton, Minnesota, United States Loss

Sam Alvey Decision (unanimous) NAFC: Mega Brawl

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Eddie Larrea Submission (arm-triangle choke) NAFC: Super Brawl 2

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Win

Nathan Gunn Submission (guillotine choke) Canadian FC 8

Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Win

George Lockhart Decision (unanimous) National FC 58

Duluth, Georgia, United States Win

Jay Ellis TKO (punches) KOTC: Certified

Keshena, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Anthony Lapsley Submission (rear-naked choke) Rocktagon MMA 23

Cleveland, Ohio, United States Loss

Sergej Juskevic Submission (kneebar) Score Fighting Series 6

Sarnia, Ontario, Canada Win

Eddie Larrea Submission (rear-naked choke) Rogue Warrior Championships 3

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Herbert Goodman Submission (rear-naked choke) Combat USA - Wisconsin State Finals

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Dallas O'Malley Submission (guillotine choke) Combat USA 24

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Sam Alvey Submission (guillotine choke) Combat USA - Championship Tournament Finals

Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States Win

Ron Faircloth Submission (rear-naked choke) Madtown Throwdown - Worlds Collide

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Jim Klimczyk TKO (punches) Combat USA 19

Wausau, Wisconsin, United States Win

Eddie Larrea Submission (arm-triangle choke) Extreme Cagefighting Organisation 4

Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, United States Win

Morrison Lamb Submission (guillotine choke) Racine Fight Night 5

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Win

Jacob Kuester Submission (neck crank) Gladiators Cage Fighting: Fair Warning

Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Kenny Robertson Submission (kneebar) Madtown Throwdown 19

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Curtis Bailey Submission (guillotine choke) Madtown Throwdown 17

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Mike Vaughn Submission (rear-naked choke) Madtown Throwdown 16

Madison, Wisconsin, United States Win

Ryan Scheeper Submission (armbar) Freestyle Combat Challenge 35

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Win

Alex Carter Submission (triangle choke) Freestyle Combat Challenge 34

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Caleb Krull Decision (unanimous) Freestyle Combat Challenge 33

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Kenneth Allen Submission (triangle choke) Freestyle Combat Challenge 32

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Loss

Daisuke Hanazawa Submission (kimura) Freestyle Combat Challenge 29

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Win

Will Pace Submission (rear-naked choke) Freestyle Combat Challenge 28

Racine, Wisconsin, United States Win

Shane Kruchten TKO (punches) Freestyle Combat Challenge 27

Waukegan, Illinois, United States Loss

Jay Ellis Technical Submission (choke) Freestyle Combat Challenge 26

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States Win

Fernando Gomez Submission (rear-naked choke) Freestyle Combat Challenge 25

Kenosha, Wisconsin, United States