UFC Vegas 35 Main Card: Makhmud Muradov vs Gerald Meerschaert- Prediction and Analysis

UFC Vegas 35 will take place this weekend with lots of exciting clashes on its card. The headlining event will feature a featherweight clash between Edson Barboza vs Giga Chikadze, but there is another clash that will keep fight fans on their toes, the middleweight clash between Makhmud Muradov and Gerald Meerschaert.

‘Mach’ Muradov has been in an impressive run of form. He has been getting past his opponents for fun. He last fought Andrew Sanchez at UFC 257: Poirier vs McGregor 2 and picked up a TKO win. So far, he has picked up 25 wins and incurred 6 losses. Out of those 25, 17 have come via KO/TKO, 3 via submissions, and 5 via decisions. He will look to continue his winning momentum.

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‘GM3’ is coming on the back of a win over Bartosz Fabinski in April this year via submission. He has picked up 32 wins and incurred 14 losses. Out of those 32 wins, 6 have come via KO/TKO, 24 via submissions, and 2 via decisions. He will look to get some momentum with some wobbling results in his past few fights.

Makhmud Muradov vs Gerald Meerschaert- Analysis

If we look at their physical stats, ‘Mach’ Muradov stands at 6’2″ and has a reach of 75″. ‘GM3’ Meerschaert stands at 6’1″ and has a reach of 77″.

Muradov lands 5.32 significant strikes with an accuracy of 42%. He absorbs 2.92 significant strikes with a defense rate of 64%. He averages 0.36 takedowns per 15 minutes with an accuracy of 16%.

‘GM3’ meanwhile, lands 3.31 significant strikes with an accuracy of 43%. He absorbs 3.6 significant strikes per minute with a defense rate of 51%. He averages 2.28 takedowns per 15 minutes with an accuracy of 43%.

Meerschaert’s durability has faded dramatically. He used to inflict terror in the minds of his opponents by relentless volume striking and astute grappling, but time certainly has taken a toll on him.

Although Meerschaert can hold his own against quality opponents, ‘Mach’ is too skilled a wrestler for Meerschaert to take down, and too lethal a puncher for Meerschaert’s increasingly wobbly chin. The latter has also given applications of his durability, which we can see from his third-round knockouts of Trevor Smith and Sanchez.

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‘GM3’ hasn’t yet developed the striking defense and could only hope to survive somehow. In the end, Muradov is likely to finish him in round 2.

Final Prediction: Muradov via second-round T(KO)