Gerald Meerschaert Retired After UFC Vegas 122 Loss
The middleweight veteran ended his professional career following a second-round TKO defeat in Las Vegas.
Updated on Oct. 11, 2026 in Mixed Martial Arts
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Longtime mixed martial arts veteran Gerald Meerschaert announced his retirement after his loss to Julius Walker at UFC Vegas 122. Meerschaert left his gloves in the cage, concluding a professional career that spanned nearly two decades.
Why it matters
Meerschaert leaves the sport as a record holder for middleweight finishes, having secured his place in UFC history despite a difficult final stretch of six consecutive losses. He decided to move on from professional fighting due to considerations regarding his long-term career trajectory, recent performance, and future financial stability.
Meerschaert retired with a career record of 37-23 across 60 professional bouts. He currently holds the UFC middleweight record for both stoppage wins at 12 and submission victories with 11.
The players
Gerald Meerschaert
He is a veteran mixed martial artist who competed primarily in the middleweight division and holds several historical UFC finish records.
Michael Bisping
He is a former UFC middleweight champion who now serves as a prominent commentator and analyst for the promotion.
Julius Walker
He is the professional fighter who secured the final TKO victory over Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 122.
The details
After falling to Julius Walker by TKO in the second round, Meerschaert confirmed his decision to leave the sport while speaking to commentator Michael Bisping. His departure follows a sustained period of struggle in the cage, punctuated by six consecutive losses.
Timeline
Meerschaert began his professional MMA career in 2007.
The fighter announced his retirement in October 2026.
Season Trajectory
Meerschaert's retirement marks the end of a long-standing tenure that helped define the middleweight division's aggressive grappling style. His absence leaves a gap in the record books and shifts the competitive landscape for upcoming fighters chasing his finish marks.
With Meerschaert's retirement, UFC record books will remain frozen at his 12 stoppage wins and 11 submission victories. Fantasy MMA players and bettors should note the removal of a high-finish probability fighter from the middleweight division's active roster.
The takeaway
Meerschaert demonstrated how even fighters with high-level technical accolades must eventually weigh physical output against long-term health and financial stability. His retirement serves as a reminder that consistency and career longevity remain the most challenging metrics in professional combat sports.
Further reading
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