Gerald MeerschaertvsKyle Daukaus

Kyle Daukaus just pulled off one of the wildest comebacks in recent UFC memory. After nearly three years away, he returned in August and knocked out Michel Pereira in just 43 seconds with elbows from guard. Now he faces Gerald Meerschaert, a submission specialist who's openly discussed retirement after dropping three straight. This is a grappler's dream matchup. Both are southpaw middleweights who hunt for finishes on the ground.

Meerschaert has built his reputation on slick submissions—he caught Edmen Shahbazyan with an arm triangle last August and submitted Bryan Barberena with a rear naked choke earlier in 2024. Daukaus brings his own ground game credentials from Martinez BJJ, including a D'Arce choke finish against Jamie Pickett. The wrinkle? Daukaus has been knocked out twice in his last four fights, both times on the ground. Roman Dolidze caught him with a clinch knee in 73 seconds, and Eryk Anders finished him with punches from half guard.

Meerschaert's recent losses have all come by finish too—most recently ground and pound from Michal Oleksiejczuk in August. One fighter is riding momentum back into the UFC. The other is fighting to stay in it. Both know how to end fights, and both have shown they can be finished.