Key Stats: 1.69 submissions per 15 minutes (2nd), 43.8% takedown accuracy (5th), 5 submission wins (tied 1st all-time among MW)
What It Means: Gerald Meerschaert doesn’t hide his favored game plan. He wants to take you down and submit you. His standup has improved, though, and his bout against Deron Winn showed that if he tags his opponent, he’ll use the window to find a submission. He picks his spots to shoot well, and it allows him to keep opponents guessing.
What to Look for in the Fight: Somehow, Ian Heinisch continues to find himself across from guys who’d prefer to fight on the mat. Whether he has improved that area of his game will determine how this bout goes, but as Meerschaert has shown, he doesn’t grapple just to grapple. He’ll fish for submissions often, and if his striking can at least stand up to Heinisch’s, he’ll find a window open to get another tap out.
*Does not have enough UFC appearances in their division to qualify in the Record Book
