LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 24: (RL) Gerald Meeschert knocks down Edmen Shahbazian in a middleweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on August 24, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
The main card at UFC Las Vegas 96 on Saturday kicked off with a showdown of styles, pitting “GM3” Gerald Meeschaert against striker Edmen Shahbaziyan.
Shahbazyan, a young and fast fighter, showed plenty of respect to Meeschat in the early stages, but was nearly hit with a kick to the body in the first minute. Edmen took Meeschat down and landed two punches. After an exchange of leg kicks, Meeschat changed levels for a takedown, but Shahbazyan fought off the attempt. Shahbazyan landed a couple more hits, including one to the body, but Meeschat landed a left punch.
Midway through round one, Shahbazyan continued to target the body, then a high head kick was landed that GM3 barely managed to block – the sound of the impact sounded like a baseball bat – but Meeschaert seemed unfazed.
In the second round, another punch from Meeschat was blocked, followed by a body shot and knee from Shahbaziyan that momentarily immobilized the veteran. Meeschat went down, and Shahbaziyan was on top, raining down ground-and-pound. Elbows and punches followed, and the referee ordered Meeschat, who was covering, to do something. Meeschat moved enough to prevent a stoppage, but Shahbaziyan remained on top.
Any doubts about whether Shahbazyan had tired himself out were resolved when Meeschat reversed and was on top, moments later he secured an arm-triangle choke so tight that a clearly uncomfortable Edmen was forced to tap.
With the win, Meeschat passed Anderson Silva as the sole holder of the UFC middleweight submission record.
OFFICIAL RESULT: Gerald Meerschaert defeats Edmen Shahbazian via submission (arm triangle choke), Round 2, 4:12
