An Ultimate Fighter 23 alum was back in familiar territory at the TUF 26 Finale.
Eric Spicely, who got his start in the UFC on TUF 23, faced off against ten year MMA vet Gerald Meerschaert Friday. The bout went down in the middle of the Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale’s main card, and was an opportunity for Spicely (2-2 in the UFC) to get back in the win column. After submissions of both Thiago Santos (a sizeable upset) and Alessio Di Chirico, Spicely had hit a road block in the form of Antônio Carlos Júnior.
At the TUF 26 Finale, he was tasked with taking on a fighter with more than twice as many pro bouts. Meerschaert began his career in 2007, and had a full thirty-two bouts before joining the UFC. Since coming on board with the promotion, the Wisconsin native had gone 2-1 in the promotion.
Meerschaert landed a few straight rights to start the fight and followed that with a body kick. Meerschaert backed Spicely up, and unloaded a flurry of shots. Spicely escaped, then drove in and worked Meerschaert to the mat. On the ground Spicely took Meerschaert’s back and worked for the choke, landing punches to open him up. Meerschaert defended until Spicely locked the body triangle and went in for his neck. Meerschaert defended, but was still in a bad spot as Spicely continued to throw punches and jumped for an arm-bar when the opening was there. However Meerschaert defended and ended up on top to end the round.
Round two saw both fighters trying to open with their own strengths, with Meerchaert throwing strikes and Spicely shooting for a take down that was stuffed. The two went back and forth with Meerchaert throwing strikes again, and Spicely once more going for the take down. Meerschaert landed a few stiff body kicks in the process. Meerschaert continued to work the body kicks, landing two in a row that wound up crumpling Spicely to end the fight. Wow — painful.
Listen to this wicked body kick Gerald Meerschaert delivered to Eric Spicely's kidneys for the win. YIKES! #TUFFinale https://t.co/IqikyCuyrt
— FOX Sports: UFC (@UFCONFOX) December 2, 2017
Gerald Meerschaert def. Eric Spicely by TKO, Round 2, 2:19
