60-Fight UFC Veteran Walks Away After TKO Loss Ends His Latest Run

Niko Price went into the event with his retirement already announced, declaring that his prelims fight against Leon Shahbazyan would be his last. A victory, however, gave “The Hybrid” second thoughts, and he left the door open for a UFC return. However, former middleweight fighter Gerald Meerschaert had made no such announcement beforehand. After suffering a TKO loss, the 60-fight veteran revealed that he was done.

Gerald Meerschaert Says Goodbye After Six Consecutive Losses

Meerschaert's 60th fight in the UFC didn't go as he had hoped. Against a younger, bigger Julius Walker, the 38-year-old veteran struggled to contain the pressure before Walker finished him with strikes from top position in the second round of UFC Vegas 122.

The defeat marked Meerschaert's sixth consecutive loss, with his last victory coming against Edmen Shahbazyan in August of 2024. Rather than leave the Octagon with questions about what is next, “GM3” made his decision clear during his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping.

After removing his gloves, Meerschaert reflected on the career he had built over 60 professional fights. “I had a good run, Michael. I’ve set a couple of records and did some things,” he said.

Meerschaert Says He Could Have Gone to 205 Earlier

The Racine, WI native also looked back on a decision he might have made differently. The veteran had competed against some of the best middleweights in the world, but suggested that moving up to light heavyweight sooner could have been worth considering.

“Maybe 205; I should’ve done that a little bit earlier, but them boys are big up there,” he added. Then came the words of wisdom usually associated with a veteran like Meerschaert  - “Can’t fight forever.” 

As the fighter himself revealed, family time appears to be next for him, after a decade in the UFC. He added, “ I’ve got some good opportunities to make money for my family and make a good living. Man, I had a hell of a time out here performing for you guys. I can’t think of a better job. I’m going to miss you.” 

Looking Back at Meerschaert’s Record-Setting UFC Career

Judging the “GM3” on a losing streak would be a grave injustice to his credentials. A professional since 2007, Meerschaert built his reputation on a dangerous submission game and an ability to find finishes. 

Now, as he ends his career on a 37-23 record, his track record includes 29 submission victories, making him one of the most accomplished grapplers in UFC middleweight history.

In fact, his numbers inside the Octagon speak for themselves. Meerschaert recorded 12 finishes at middleweight, the most in the division's UFC history, and his 11 submission wins set the divisional mark as well. In addition, he has also collected five Performance of the Night bonuses during his heyday.

His submission wins include notable wins over Makhmud Muradov, Dustin Stoltzfus, Bruno Silva, and Bryan Barberena. Fittingly, Meerschaert's final win also came by submission. He cinched in a second-round arm-triangle choke against Shahbazyan in 2024, earning a POTN bonus in what would prove to be his final win.