Gerald Meerschaert and Edmen Shahbazyan meet Saturday on the primary card of UFC on ESPN 62 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Final occasion: 1-4UFC fundamental playing cards, 2024: 70-61-3
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 62 preview
Meerschaert (36-17 MMA, 11-9 UFC) has seen a factor or two over his 20 UFC appearances. He’s had his ups and downs over time, however he enters this contest on the heels of a rear-naked choke submission of Bryan Barberena in March. Of his 11 UFC wins, 10 have come by submission. … Shahbazyan (13-4 MMA, 6-4 UFC) has grown up beneath the UFC banner, and had his rising pains. After successful his first 4, he misplaced three straight. He’s now 2-1 over his final three bouts and is coming into with the momentum of a first-round end of AJ Dobson in March.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 62 professional decide, prediction
Regardless of my preliminary urge to trash the UFC matchmakers for tripling up on middleweight choices on the primary card, I can’t hate on this 185-pound providing between Meerschaert and Shahbazyan.
Although he’s undoubtedly skilled some rising pains, Shahbazyan has begun to as soon as once more present indicators of sunshine since shifting his coaching camp to Las Vegas. That mentioned, I’m undecided if Shahabazyan has totally mounted a few of his core points relating to issues like aggression and endurance.
Other than the truth that stinging strikes confirmed to be a two-street in Shahbazyan fights, the Armenian-American sacrificed some key positions in each offensive and defensive efforts in his final outing reverse A.J. Dobson that might’ve price him dearly towards a grappler like Meershcaert.
Not solely is Meerschaert tied with Anderson Silva for essentially the most finishes in middleweight historical past, however “GM3” can be top-of-the-line rear-naked choke artists no matter weight class, making my prime 10 rear-naked choke artists in MMA historical past.
Add in the truth that this combat can be happening within the smaller octagon (which might lend a stylistic edge to superior grapplers), and I’ll fortunately take a flier on Meerschaert to outlive an early storm and make some historical past with an “RNC” in Spherical 3.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 62 odds
The oddsmakers and the general public are siding with the youthful man, itemizing Shahbazyan -300 and Meerschaert +235 through FanDuel.
Gerald Meerschaert vs. Edmen Shahbazyan UFC on ESPN 62 begin time, the way to watch
As the primary card opener, Meerschaert and Shahbazyan are anticipated to stroll out to the cage at roughly 10:05 p.m. ET. The combat will air on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
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