With UFC 287 right around the corner, fans couldn’t be more excited for UFC’s highly anticipated return to Miami since 2003. The card features some of the most elite athletes to have ever graced the Octagon. The main event will witness Israel Adesanya avenge his MMA loss to Alex Pereira for the middleweight gold. However, an exciting bout between Gerald Meerschaert and Joe Pyfer is flying under the radar.
The two middleweights will clash in the preliminary card at the Miami-Dade Arena. Contender Series alumni and rising star Joe Pyfer will lock horns with the seasoned veteran Gerald Meerschaert card. The boss Dana White gave ‘Bodybagz’ a second chance after Joe initially lost his show debut in 2020. Two years later, Pyfer managed to turn things around during his second shot when he secured a TKO win over Ozzy Diaz.
Pyfer parlayed his DWCS win into a prosperous debut in the Octagon when he had a first-round TKO victory over Alen Amedovski at UFC Fight Night 210. However, Joe will face a step up in competition in ‘The Machine’, who also happens to have the most submission wins in the middleweight division’s history.
UFC 287: Gerald Meerschaert vs Joe Pyfer fighter stats
Stats | Gerald Meerschaert | Jon Pyfer |
---|---|---|
Wins | 35 | 10 |
Losses | 15 | 2 |
Height | 1.85 m | 1.87 m |
Division | Middleweight | Middleweight |
Reach | 195 cm | 190 cm |
Age | 35 | 26 |
Meerschaert vs Pyfer: Fight Breakdown
In terms of stature, there isn’t a significant difference as Pyfer measures 1.87 m over Gerald’s 1.85 m. However, it is the reach that will play a huge factor if the two choose to stand and trade, rather than take the matter to the ground. Fans overlooked Gerald after his infamous loss to rising prospect Khamzat Chimaev in 2020, however, the vet has bagged 4 wins in his last 5 bouts after that defeat.
‘The Machine‘ is decorated for having the most submission wins and the second-most finishes overall in the promotion’s middleweight division’s history. Even though he is coming off a third-round submission victory over Bruno Silva, Gerald showed he has hands in the said bout.
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Striking-wise, Joe takes the cake on this one. The 26-year-old has appeared to land 3.49 significant strikes per minute while absorbing only 2.55 strikes in return. Whereas, Meerschaert has landed 3.11 significant strikes in a minute while taking 3.45 in return. Percentage-wise, Pyfer has a 1% advantage over Gerald in terms of striking accuracy. However, GM3 has a wealth of Octagon experience that he carries with him.
Per UFC stats, Gerald has landed an average of 2.17 takedowns per minute, whereas Joe has only landed 2.01 in the same area. In a recent interview, Meerschaert claimed that he will try to take the fight to the mat as much as possible. While giving Joe his credit for having the striking advantage, Gerald also mentioned that the 26-year-old young buck has “decent wrestling.”
“He f****** sucks.”
Joe Pyfer (@Joe_Pyfer96) plans to outclass Gerald Meerschaert at #UFC287 🔊🆙
— UFC News (@UFCNews) April 5, 2023
Pyfer is a fairly big favorite, However, the seasoned vet ‘GM3’ has pulled off several upsets during his prolonged MMA and UFC career. Statistically, it is a smart opportunity for Pyfer.