Gerald Meerschaert hangs up gloves after knockout loss at UFC Vegas 122

After 60 fights, Gerald Meerschaert is hanging up the gloves.

On Saturday night, Meerschaert fought for the 60th time in his career — and 27th time in the UFC — taking on Julius Walker in the prelim main event of UFC Vegas 122, and unfortunately for “GM3,” things didn’t go his way, as Walker stopped him with strikes in the second round.

Meerschaert was simply overmatched from the beginning, as Walker put it on him with strikes, scoring a 10-8 from one judge for his efforts. By the second round, it was only a matter of time, as Walker kept up the pressure and ended up finishing Meerschaert with strikes from the top position. The loss was Meerschaert’s sixth in a row, and after the fight, the longtime MMA veteran took off his gloves for the final time.

“Yeah, I’ve had a good run, Michael,” Meerschaert said in his post-fight speech with Michael Bisping. “I set a couple records and did some things. Maybe 205, I should’ve done that a little bit earlier, but them boys are big up there. Can’t fight forever. I’ve got some good opportunities to make money for my family, make a good living. Man, I had a hell of a time to come out here and perform for you guys. I can’t think of a better job. I’m gonna miss you.”

Meerschaert retires with an overall MMA record of 32-23, going 12-15 in the UFC. He holds the record for most finishes in UFC middleweight history (12) and is tied with Demian Maia for most submission wins in UFC middleweight history (11).