Middleweight action served as the featured preliminary bout on the final Ultimate Fighting Championship card of 2021, UFC Vegas 45.
The last prelim bout of the year found Gerald Meerschaert looking to bag a third consecutive win in 2021, against Dustin Stoltzfus. At 0-2 in the octagon to date, Contender Series alum Stoltzfus was potentially fighting for a roster spot.
Meerschaert opened the action Saturday with a solid right hand. Stoltzfus ate a shot to the liver, then fired off a heavy kick. Opting to fall back on his grappling, Meerschaert shot for a takedown, easily landing it and putting Stoltzfus on his backside, back to the fence. That gave Meerschaert plenty of top time, and he eventually managed to get into full mount, if briefly. Eventually, Stoltzfus was able to reverse and get on top, getting into side control with about a minute left in the frame after avoiding an arm-bar. He was able to land a few elbows, and finish the round in half guard.
The first round had started out strong for Gerald Meerschaert, before Stoltzfus turned things around and made it a very close five minutes. In the second, Meerschaert fired a wild punch early, and was taken down himself about a minute in. Off his back, Meerschaert again threatened with an arm-bar, but Stoltzfus appeared comfortable on top, and he was eating time. Some creative submission attempts followed by Stoltzfus, and he headed to the third with at least one round, and possibly two, in his favor.
Meerschaert opened up the third frame connecting, but wound up on his back, defending with a guillotine choke. Stoltzfus was able to step over Meerschaert’s legs and get out of danger, but in turn, Meerschaert managed to escape up to his feet. The next time they went to the ground, Meerschaert was able to salvage the fight. Taking the back, he locked in the rear-naked choke, and forced the tap.
HE NEEDED A FINISH AND HE GOT IT! 😳 😳 😳
GM3 was down two rounds before sinking in the RNC!!! #UFCVegas45 pic.twitter.com/sYY4LDh2mf
— UFC (@ufc) December 18, 2021
For Gerald Meerschaert, that’s three submission victories in three fights in 2021 — a very good year for the veteran middleweight.
Official Result: Gerald Meerschaert def. Dustin Stoltzfus by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 2:58
