The
Ultimate Fighting Championship showcase at the UFC Apex pits
veteran middleweight
Gerald
Meerschaert against
Bryan
Barberena on Saturday in Las Vegas. Whose seasoned acumen will
claim superiority at
UFC Fight Night 239?
The 36-year-old Meerschaert carries a wealth of experience, with 52
professional fights under his belt. He aims to bounce back from a
two-fight skid against
Joe Pyfer and
Andre
Petroski. Before that, he notched four victories in five
Octagon outings, with all of those triumphs registered via
submission. Meanwhile, Barberena, renowned for his gritty fighting
style, transitioned to the middleweight division following a stint
at 170 pounds. The 34-year-old now finds himself on a three-fight
losing streak, yet he has the chance to launch into his 2024
campaign on a positive note with a decisive victory over
Meerschaert.
As the two Americans prepare to engage in battle, a closer look at
the statistical landscape leading up to this point:
19: Meerschaert is tied fourth on the list for total fights in the
UFC middleweight division, with 19 appearances under his belt.
10: Meerschaert occupies the second spot in the middleweight
bracket for most finishes, with 10 triumphs of that nature to his
credit.
90: Meerschaert has the second-highest submissions-per-win
percentage at 90% and the most submission wins in the history of
the division with nine.
27: Meerschaert has a staggering 27 victories on his record via
submission, which speak volumes about his submission prowess.
48: Barberena exhibits a 48% striking accuracy in his fights.
44: Barberena holds a significant 44% striking differential
throughout his fights.
11: Out of his 18 professional career victories, Barberena has
rattled 11 wins via knockout or technical knockout, highlighting
his finishing abilities.