How are you going to not love Gerald Meerschaert III?
“GM3” did it once more final evening, and everybody is aware of precisely what which means: he as soon as once more landed a slick submission as an underdog. Extra particularly, he did so after taking a little bit of an ass-kicking and looking out like he was in a world of harm. Few play spoiler higher than Meerschaert, who as soon as once more tapped out a extra athletic and youthful opponent in Edmen Shahbazyan.
Admittedly, “Golden Boy” has misplaced some luster lately, as his hype practice careened off the tracks again in 2020. Nonetheless, the 26-year-old boxer is sort of good. Sturdy wrestling, actually quick arms, real knockout energy — he entered this battle having received two of his final three by way of strikes stoppage, and this bout began in comparable vogue.
Shahbazyan received the primary spherical simply. He received the primary three minutes of the second simply, dropping Meerschaert with a physique shot then firing 100 strikes in pursuit of the stoppage. When “GM3” didn’t go away, nonetheless, it took all of 60 seconds for the veteran to throw a giant mixture, duck right into a takedown, and lock up a submission.
Shahbazyan wasn’t that drained. The truth is, he landed a giant knee simply earlier than the takedown! Towards most different opponents, Shahbazyan would’ve been in a position to wait out the ultimate minute of the spherical and enter the third with a big lead. Sadly for him, Meerschaert is essentially the most statistically harmful finisher at 185-pounds.
It’s genuinely outstanding how good “GM3” is at stopping opponents. That is hardly the primary time Meerschaert has discovered himself down on the playing cards and in want of a stoppage. Wanting again over at his record-setting 12 Middleweight stoppage wins, I rely almost half of them as being comeback wins.
What’s so cool about Meerschaert is that he’s not a very athletic expertise. He doesn’t hit terribly arduous or have unbelievable timing like the previous document holder, Anderson Silva. His wrestling and kickboxing are completely first rate however unspectacular. Meerschaert’s jiu-jitsu, nonetheless, is extremely standout: his 11 submission wins now tie Demian Maia for third-most all-time in UFC historical past, no matter weight class. He’s completed opponents by way of armbar, guillotine, rear bare choke, anaconda, and now arm triangle choke.
Now, I’m by no means attempting to argue that Meerschaert is a greater fighter than Silva or higher grappler than Maia. I simply wish to give the veteran his flowers. Right here’s an unranked 36-year-old 54 fights into his skilled profession, and he’s nonetheless betting on himself to persevere by unhealthy spots and pull a strangle out of nowhere.
What’s subsequent for Meerschaert? The Paul Craig callout was an excellent one. His fellow grappling specialist is probably not ranked anymore, however the Welsh expertise stays a widely known title within the division. It’s an excellent model conflict for Meerschaert, an opponent who can not overwhelm him with uncooked punching energy or wrestling. Possible, the followers are rewarded with some superior scrambles.
Whether or not the “Bearjew” match up occurs or not, “GM3” isn’t going to interrupt into the title combine. He would possibly, nonetheless, be capable to proceed breaking information and expectations, as a result of the jiu-jitsu black belt has proven no signal of slowing down.
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