Jacob Malkoun vs Gerald Meerschaert Prediction

FIGHT WINNER

Jacob Malkoun

⚡80%

Jacob Malkoun enters this fight with strong recent momentum, coming off a dominant unanimous decision win in January 2026 and a TKO victory in March 2024. He has shown improved striking, utilizing a crisp jab and effective combinations, as seen in his last outing against Torrez Finney. Malkoun also possesses a solid grappling base with a BJJ black belt and good wrestling, which should allow him to either defend against Gerald Meerschaert's renowned submission game or control positions if the fight goes to the mat. Gerald Meerschaert, while a highly dangerous submission specialist with the most finishes in UFC middleweight history, is currently on a concerning four-fight losing streak. Three of these losses were finishes (two TKO/KO, one submission) and one was a unanimous decision, indicating a potential decline at 38 years old. His striking defense has been an issue, and he has been susceptible to early stoppages against powerful strikers. Malkoun's ability to land significant strikes (4.5 SLpM vs. Meerschaert's 3.01 SLpM) and his recent TKO victory suggest he has the tools to exploit Meerschaert's striking vulnerabilities. While Meerschaert's submission threat is ever-present, Malkoun's grappling credentials should allow him to navigate these dangers. Furthermore, Malkoun will benefit from fighting in his home country of Australia, providing a significant crowd advantage. Considering Meerschaert's recent finishes and Malkoun's striking power, a TKO/KO in the middle rounds is a likely outcome as Malkoun capitalizes on Meerschaert's defensive lapses and accumulated damage.

METHOD OF VICTORY

TKO/KO

Round: Round 2

80%

Jacob Malkoun enters this fight with strong recent momentum, coming off a dominant unanimous decision win in January 2026 and a TKO victory in March 2024. He has shown improved striking, utilizing a crisp jab and effective combinations, as seen in his last outing against Torrez Finney. Malkoun also possesses a solid grappling base with a BJJ black belt and good wrestling, which should allow him to either defend against Gerald Meerschaert's renowned submission game or control positions if the fight goes to the mat. Gerald Meerschaert, while a highly dangerous submission specialist with the most finishes in UFC middleweight history, is currently on a concerning four-fight losing streak. Three of these losses were finishes (two TKO/KO, one submission) and one was a unanimous decision, indicating a potential decline at 38 years old. His striking defense has been an issue, and he has been susceptible to early stoppages against powerful strikers. Malkoun's ability to land significant strikes (4.5 SLpM vs. Meerschaert's 3.01 SLpM) and his recent TKO victory suggest he has the tools to exploit Meerschaert's striking vulnerabilities. While Meerschaert's submission threat is ever-present, Malkoun's grappling credentials should allow him to navigate these dangers. Furthermore, Malkoun will benefit from fighting in his home country of Australia, providing a significant crowd advantage. Considering Meerschaert's recent finishes and Malkoun's striking power, a TKO/KO in the middle rounds is a likely outcome as Malkoun capitalizes on Meerschaert's defensive lapses and accumulated damage.

💰 Sharp Money

Without official odds, it's speculative. However, if lines open with Meerschaert as a significant underdog, some sharp money might come in on him for a submission upset, given his historical finishing ability. Conversely, sharp money would likely be on Malkoun to win, potentially by TKO/KO, capitalizing on Meerschaert's recent vulnerabilities. Line movement: If initial lines are close, expect movement towards Malkoun as public and sharp bettors recognize his current form and Meerschaert's decline. If Meerschaert opens as a large underdog, there might be some initial action on him, but the overall trend should favor Malkoun.