Tavares Faces Meerschaert in Crucial Middleweight Clash at UFC on ESPN 65

LAS VEGAS, Nevada – Brad Tavares and Gerald Meerschaert will meet in a pivotal middleweight bout on the main card of UFC on ESPN 65 Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Both fighters are seeking redemption after tough recent outings, making this a crucial confrontation for their careers.

Tavares (20-11 MMA, 15-10 UFC) is aiming to rebound from a split-decision loss to JunYong Park, which marked his fourth defeat in five fights. Meanwhile, Meerschaert (37-18 MMA, 12-10 UFC) is looking to terminate a two-fight losing streak after losing to Reinier de Ridder last November. With both athletes desperate for a win, the stakes are high.

Notably, Meerschaert, known for his submission skills, has recorded nine consecutive wins by tapout—almost 80 percent of his professional victories. If he manages to submit Tavares, it would mark the 30th submission of his career. However, Tavares boasts strong takedown defense, having not been submitted in his last 15 fights, with his last submission loss occurring in the “TUF” house nearly 15 years ago.

Analysts expect a competitive matchup, with Tavares having significant experience and longevity in the division, often participating in closely contested decisions. Meerschaert, regarded as a workmanlike veteran, has quietly set numerous finishing records at 185 pounds, highlighting his ability to secure finishes both via submission and strikes.

“Tavares doesn’t get enough recognition for his resilience, while Meerschaert is an underrated striker who can make this fight competitive,” noted MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. “The small cage at the UFC Apex could favor Meerschaert’s grappling tactics, but it’s uncertain if that will be enough against Tavares’s solid defense.

Despite the odds favoring Tavares at (-220), Meerschaert’s chances are rated at (+176) by FanDuel. Tavares is known for his striking precision, showcasing a slight advantage in significant strikes landed per minute (3.43 to Meerschaert’s 3.10), although Meerschaert has better accuracy at 52.08% compared to Tavares’s 48.08%.

The bout is set to air live on ESPN, with both fighters expected to make their walk to the octagon around 10:15 p.m. ET. A compelling matchup awaits, underlined by the urgency for victory from both fighters.