MEERSCHAERT RETIRES AFTER WALKER LOSS: 60 FIGHTS, 12 MW FINISHES
“I have had a good run, Michael, you know. I have set a couple of records. I have did some things.”
Gerald Meerschaert left his gloves in the Octagon on Saturday night. Before the result was even announced, the 38-year-old had made his decision: after a sixth straight loss, a nearly 20-year career was over.
The end came against Julius Walker in the featured prelim at UFC Vegas 122. Meerschaert had moved up to 205 pounds chasing one last spark, but the 27-year-old ran him over — a first round one judge scored 10-8, then ground strikes at 3:35 of round two.
THE RECORD THAT STAYS
"GM3" leaves as the most dangerous finisher the UFC middleweight division has ever seen. Twelve finishes — the all-time divisional record, ahead of Anderson Silva.
He set it in August 2024, submitting Edmen Shahbazyan for his 12th middleweight finish — after submitting Bryan Barberena earlier that year. His best run came in 2021, when he submitted three straight opponents and banked two Performance of the Night bonuses.
"I have had a good run, Michael, you know. I have set a couple of records. I have did some things." — Gerald Meerschaert, to Michael Bisping
THE LONG ROAD
Meerschaert debuted in the UFC in 2016 with back-to-back first-round submissions and never stopped hunting the finish. He shared the cage with Khamzat Chimaev in 2020 and Reinier de Ridder in 2024. Across 60 professional fights, he almost never left it to the judges. Thirty-five finishes in a 37-23 career.
The losing skid that ended it started with the de Ridder submission in late 2024. The move to light heavyweight was the last roll of the dice. It did not work.
But records do not lose. The middleweight finishes crown is his — and it is not close. Enjoy retirement, GM3.
