Gerald Meerschaert laid his gloves down in the cage. Beaten by Julius Walker by TKO in round 2 on Saturday at UFC Vegas 122, the 38-year-old American told Michael Bisping on the microphone that his career is over. He ends with 37 wins and 23 losses in 60 fights, including nearly 10 years in the UFC. He remains the fighter with the most finishes in the promotion’s middleweight history, with 12.
Full event coverage: UFC Vegas 122: Saturday’s full card, 12 fights and 2 changes around Allen vs Duncan
Key takeaways
- Gerald Meerschaert, 38, announced his retirement after his round 2 TKO loss to Julius Walker at UFC Vegas 122.
- He finishes with a 37-23 record in 60 fights, 27 of them in the UFC, which he joined in December 2016.
- He holds the UFC middleweight record for finishes, 12, ahead of Anderson Silva's 11. All 12 of his UFC wins came inside the distance.
Gerald Meerschaert stops after a 6th straight loss
The last fight
Julius Walker stopped him with punches in round 2, at 3:35. Meerschaert was fighting at light heavyweight, a weight class above his own.
The announcement
He took off his gloves and confirmed his retirement to Michael Bisping. He said he had had a good run, set a couple of records, and that you cannot fight forever.
The streak
It was his 6th loss in a row, after Reinier de Ridder, Brad Tavares, Michal Oleksiejczuk, Kyle Daukaus and Jacob Malkoun.
A record that still stands
12 finishes at middleweight
Meerschaert has 12 wins inside the distance at UFC middleweight, more than any other fighter in the division. Anderson Silva has 11.
The submission specialist
11 of those 12 finishes are submissions. He never won a UFC fight on points: all 12 of his wins in the promotion ended inside the distance.
The debut
He entered the UFC in December 2016 with a submission of Joe Gigliotti that earned him a bonus.
Can't fight forever. I've got some good opportunities to make money for my family, make a good living.
Nearly 10 years in the UFC, a 19-year career
The path
Born on December 18, 1987 in Wisconsin, Meerschaert turned professional in 2007. He had 60 fights, 27 of them in the UFC, where his record is 12 wins and 15 losses.
What comes next
He says he has good opportunities to make a living for his family outside the cage, without saying which. He added that he could not think of a better job.
Look back at his career
Gerald Meerschaert’s profile, with his full record and fight history, is in the FightHub app.
- UFC Vegas 122 bonuses: 9 awards and 525,000 dollars handed out, Brendan Allen won while on antibiotics
- Brendan Allen submits Christian Leroy Duncan in round 5 at UFC Vegas 122 and calls for the champion or Du Plessis
- UFC Vegas 122 weigh-in: Ismael Bonfim misses by 7.5 pounds, 3 fighters fined, no fight cancelled
- UFC Vegas 122: Saturday’s full card, 12 fights and 2 changes around Allen vs Duncan
