Preview: UFC 292 Prelims

Middleweights

Andre Petroski (9-1, 4-0 UFC) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (35-16, 10-8 UFC)

ODDS: Petroski (-245), Meerschaert (+200)

Petroski has started to put together things when it counts, which is a nice development. On the regional scene and during his time on “The Ultimate Fighter,” Petroski was a prospect whose game seemed to be less than the sum of its parts. He would often impress as a bullying wrestler and grappler but eventually hit a breaking point where the fight suddenly and definitively turned against him. After “The Ultimate Fighter,” Petroski kicked off his UFC career with wins over Micheal Gillmore and Yaozong Hu that were still a bit worrisome. Both figured to be easy wins that proved difficult to get over the finish line. However, everything clicked come 2022, when Petroski quickly submitted a tough opponent in Nick Maximov and then outlasted Wellington Turman in a strong three-round performance. As a result, Petroski has earned this step up the ladder against Meerschaert, seemingly the eternal gatekeeper of the UFC’s middleweight division. Meerschaert had nearly a decade of pro experience before hitting the UFC in 2016, but he was only getting started and has continued to improve in the years since. He is still at his best with the grimy wrestling and grappling game that brought him to the dance, but he has developed enough striking craft to win the occasional fight he should lose on paper. Recall his memorable victories over Makhmud Muradov and Bruno Silva in recent years. Of course, Meerschaert’s typical athletic disadvantages means he occasionally just gets nuked, as was the case in his April loss to Joseph Pyfer, so there is a chance that Petroski can turn a hot start into an early finish. With that said, Petroski’s best strengths line up with Meerschaert’s wheelhouse. As a result, this looks like a fight where Meerschaert can slowly take over and find a win once again, even if Petroski has done a solid job of fighting through exhaustion. The pick is Meerschaert via third-round submission.

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Petroski vs. Meerschaert
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