When Ed Herman needed an opponent for UFC Vegas 5, Gerald Meerschaert answered the call. Up a weight class, no less, at light heavyweight. Unfortunately, he won’t be answering the bell.
There are plenty of short-notice risk takers in Las Vegas on Saturday, as the Brunson vs. Shahbazyan Fight Night event has all but fallen apart in the days and weeks leading up to Fight Night. Meerschaert actually had more time to prepare than most, which is to say, he had about a week or so to prepare, maybe a bit more.
However, the return of a positive COVID-19 test for Meerschaert means the fight is off. Just hours before it was scheduled to take place. Pandemic era MMA sure makes for crazy times.
Combate was first to report news of Meerschaert’s test.
Tested positive for Covid so fights off. Feel healthy and will do everything I can to keep it that way and keep those around me safe.
— Gerald Meerschaert (@The_Real_GM3) August 1, 2020
The middleweight had intended to replace Da Un Jung at the UFC Vegas 5 card, after the South Korean was forced to drop out. Meerschaert (31-13) last fought in a loss to Ian Heinisch, and is 2-2 across his last four fights.
Herman (25-14, 1NC), a fourteen year veteran of the UFC, has won his last two bouts, and told Cageside Press ahead of the fight that he still felt he had one more run in him before all is said and done.
