Edmen Shahbazyan vs. Gerald Meerschaert: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Americans Edmen Shahbazyan and Gerald Meerschaert kick off the main card of the UFC on ESPN 62 when they square off in a middleweight bout this weekend. With ten years between them and wins in their last bouts, the fight will reveal which of the fighters has improved most in recent times. Edmen Shahbazyan, who has American heritage, is the younger fighter and favorite of the bookies. Still, against a wily veteran like Gerald Meerschaert, who has outstanding stats in the UFC, it is not going to be a walk in the park for “The Golden Boy.”

MMA: UFC Middleweight

Where to Watch: ESPN+/ESPN

Venue: UFC Apex, Las Vegas

Date: 25.08.2024 04:00

The Dana White Contender Series grad seems out of the woods after a bad patch of 2-3 in the UFC. Edmen Shahbazyan is 2-1 in his last three and clocked in this year with a first-round KO of A.J. Dobson last March. “The Golden Boy” debuted in the UFC in 2018 and reeled out four consecutive wins before falling to Derek Brunson to kickstart his rough stretch. Shahbazyan was a training partner of Ronda Rousey and, at 26, would likely be a part of the UFC for a while.

• Age: 26
• Height: 6’2”
• Weight: 185lbs (84kg)
• Reach: 74”
• Record: 13-4

The veteran fighter turned professional in 2007 and made it to the UFC in 2016, announcing himself with a submission victory on his debut. In eleven wins in the promotion, Gerald Meerschaert won ten by submission to be tied for most finishes in the UFC middleweight division. “The Machine,” a black belt in BJJ, is tied for UFC history's second-highest submission finish rate. Meerchaert has the highest finish rate in UFC history, with eleven finishes from his eleven victories. The veteran is 1-2 in his last three, submitting Bryan Barberena last March to return to the win column after losing both fights in 2023.

• Age: 36
• Height: 6’1’’
• Reach: 77”
• Weight: 185lbs (84kg)
• Record: 36-17

Gerald Meerschaert is a 3.25 underdog on Betway. Edmen Shahbazyan to win by KO/TKO is 1.66 odds on Bet365, which prices Meerschaert to get another submission victory at 6.50. 1XBET prices fight to go the distance at 3.96 odds. Read more here.