Middleweights Krzysztof Jotko and Gerald Meerschaert kicked off the UFC Vegas 53 main card on Saturday.
Both fighters entered the night off wins, but Meerschaert rode in on a three-fight win streak, with all three wins via submission.
No doubt with that in mind, Jotko relied heavily on his boxing early, hurting Meerschaert in the opening 90 seconds. Plenty of shots were landing for the Polish fighter, including jabs, check hooks, and straights; when they did clinch up, Jotko kept things standing, broke, and went back to work at range. Jotko lured Meerschaert in repeatedly, and connected when he did. Meerschaert fired a low kick now and then, but was having little success on the feet in the opening round.
Round two found Meerschaert looking to close the distance early, getting his clinch game going. And for good reason, after being out-struck in the opening round. But despite dropping for a takedown, he couldn’t land it, and Jotko broke free, moving back to center. Meerschaert chopped at Jotko’s leg as the Polish fighter pumped his jab. Meerschaert then punched his way in off an exchange, landing a right hand, tying things up and finally getting Jotko down — for mere moments. And when they went back to the ground late in the round, it was Jotko on top.
After two frustrating rounds, Gerald Meerschaert needed a finish in the third. Jotko, meanwhile, was having a career performance. A body shot appeared to hurt Jotko, and Meerschaert pressed forward. Jotko, in answer, shot for the takedown, which Meerschaert gladly accepted, given a submission was his best shot at victory. Nothing appeared to be available, and Meerschaert got back to his feet, dropped for a takedown, went back to a body lock, and ultimately had to watch Jotko free himself. With just under two minutes to go, Jotko took the fight down again; Meerschaert attacked an arm, but couldn’t do anything with it. Jotko landed in side control after a scramble; after more jockeying for position, he wound up on top. Meerschaert would get back to his feet in the final seconds, but Krzysztof Jotko was raising his hand in victory before the buzzer even sounded.
Official Result: Krzysztof Jotko def. Gerald Meerschaert by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
