Gerald Meerschaert:
- Record: Meerschaert’s record stands at around 37-16. He’s an experienced veteran in the middleweight division, known for his grappling and submission skills.
- Strengths: Meerschaert is a jiu-jitsu specialist with a solid ability to control opponents on the ground. He’s good at absorbing damage and working through adversity, often relying on his submission game to turn the tide of fights.
- Weaknesses: He tends to be hittable and has shown vulnerabilities to powerful strikers. His stand-up game, while competent, isn’t as refined as his grappling.
Reinier de Ridder:
- Record: Reinier de Ridder comes from ONE Championship with a big reputation and a record of 17-2.
- Strengths: De Ridder is an extremely talented grappler with a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He excels at controlling opponents, whether on the ground or by submitting them. His ground game is arguably one of the most dangerous in mixed martial arts, and he also has a solid wrestling base.
- Weaknesses: De Ridder has faced criticism for his stand-up game, which may not be as polished as his grappling. Though he has power in his strikes, his overall striking game has been a work in progress.
How the Fight Might Play Out:
- Grappling Exchange: This is likely to be the main focus of the fight. Both fighters are elite in their grappling and would likely look to take the fight to the mat. De Ridder, with his background in submission wrestling and jiu-jitsu, would probably have a slight edge in terms of athleticism and pace. However, Meerschaert’s experience in the UFC and his ability to survive tough situations means he might be able to hold his own on the ground, potentially working for a submission off his back.
- Striking: Meerschaert’s stand-up is functional, but he doesn’t often shine there. If he were to be forced into a striking battle, he might have trouble with de Ridder’s long reach and power. De Ridder, on the other hand, has developed more power in his hands and can mix up his striking well with his grappling approach.
- Cardio and Pace: Both fighters have shown good cardio, but Meerschaert has often had to push through adversity in later rounds, while de Ridder has generally managed to maintain a high pace throughout his bouts. Conditioning could be a key factor, especially in the later rounds if the fight stays competitive on the ground.
Possible Outcome:
- De Ridder’s Path to Victory: He would likely seek to impose his superior athleticism and control Meerschaert with his dominant wrestling and ground game. If he can avoid getting caught in a submission, his well-roundedness and aggression should see him through the fight.
- Meerschaert’s Path to Victory: Meerschaert would need to weather the early storm and look for submission opportunities off his back or during scrambles. His best chance would be to catch de Ridder in a submission, potentially from guard or with a guillotine if de Ridder shoots in recklessly.
This would be an intriguing fight for fans of grappling and jiu-jitsu, and given both men’s ability to absorb damage and fight through adversity, it could be a grind. If it stays on the feet, Meerschaert might struggle against de Ridder’s striking, but if it hits the ground, both fighters have the tools to finish the fight.
Considering Meerschaert has got the submission tap in nine of his last ten wins, the 6/1 with Rhino Bet for the American to win by submission looks on the big side. There’s always a doubt on how well a fighters form from other organisations plays out when they move to the UFC and De Ridder will have to back up the hype.