Gerald Meerschaert withstood the heavy blows of Deron Winn at UFC 248, choking out the wrestler in the final round.
Kicking off the televised preliminary card at UFC 248 in Las Vegas on Saturday night was a middleweight bout that had pretty much booked itself. Deron Winn and Gerald Meerschaert had been looking to fight, and the UFC made it happen. Winn, who had built up some hype coming into the UFC as a training partner of Daniel Cormier, was a strong wrestler (zero surprise there) coming off his first career loss, against Darren Stewart.
Meerschaert, with the UFC since 2016, was coming off a loss of his own to Eryk Anders. A black belt who would be sure to threaten on the ground, Meerschaert’s jiu-jitsu was being put up against Winn’s wrestling at UFC 248, at least on paper.
Gerald Meerschaert’s plan was to go to the body, but his second kick hit Deron Winn below the belt. After action resumed, Winn popped Meerschaert with a right hand. He closed the distance then threw Meerschaert down. He avoided staying in the guard too long and stood back up, hitting Meerschaert with a heavy combination. Meerschaert answered with a straight left. Winn continued to push the pace, then ate a high knee from Meerschaert. A hard left and right connected for Winn, then a combination for Meerschaert. Both men were connecting with their fair share of shots, but Meerschaert was wearing it.
Meerschaert struck first in the second round, landing a left hook, his power hand. Winn’s range was not quite there in the second round, with Meerschaert landing with more success. Another combination landed for Meerschaert, to which Winn responded with a takedown attempt. Meerschaert went to a knee then avoided a high kick. Winn ate a few jabs from Meerschaert then missed on some overhands. Meerschaert started to dig to the body and Winn felt it. He got on his horse and quickly tried moving out of danger. Meerschaert won the second round by a wide margin.
Meerschaert has a CHIN, folks. 😳 #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/Kaytf2s5bY
— UFC (@ufc) March 8, 2020
The third round started with striking exchanges with both men connecting well. Winn then landed a pair of huge overhands, but couldn’t pursue a finish. Meerschaert recovered, then landed a combination that wobbled Winn. Meerschaert continued to land as Winn stumbled, then fell to his knees. Meerschaert went for a guillotine, then took the back of the wrestler. He went for a rear-naked choke, got the arm over the face of Winn and got the tap.
WOW! It ain't over till it's over! 👏@The_Real_GM3 with a HUGE R3 to sink in the RNC for the victory! #UFC248 pic.twitter.com/AHfPC402Of
— UFC (@ufc) March 8, 2020
Gerald Meerschaert def. Deron Winn by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) in Round 3 (2:13)
