Former ONE FC 205lb and 225lb champion Reiner de Ridder was able to get the better of Gerald Meerschaert in his debut tonight at UFC Fight Night 247, dropping the veteran in the opening round before going on to submit him in the final five minutes.
Round One:
Leg and push kicks from de Ridder to start. He lunges into a right hand. He goes for that again, looking a bit awkward as he does so.
Calf kick from de Ridder, but Meerschaert lands a heavy one-two in response that de Ridder didn’t like at all.
De Ridder presses forward and now manages to get in on a takedown attempt and lands it. De Ridder thinking about a submission, but Meerschaert is able to improve his position and back out to his feet.
Meerschaert usually likes to get the fight to the mat, but he fancies his chances on the feet here. De Ridder working his jab. Meerschaert looking for his own straight punches with more power.
De Ridder gets a takedown. Meerschaert kicks him away and gets back up. De Ridder goes for another takedown, but Meerschaert defends that one successfully.
Calf kick for de Ridder. He tries for a takedown, but Meerschaert denies it. Jab for Meerschaert and a grazing one fromm de Ridder.
De Ridder steps into a hard punch that lands nicely. Late in the round de Ridder blasts him with a good elbow and follows up with a flurry of strikes, with a big left hand rocking him as he slams to the canvas. Luckily for him the round ends there.
Round Two:
De Ridder gradually closes the distance and lands a takedown. He’s settles into half-guard with four minutes remaining.
Meerschaert gets to his knees and de Ridder tries to get a guillotine choke in, but is unable to before his opponent gets up.
Now it’s Meerschaert who manages to get on top near the cage. Punches for him from half-guard. He postures up for a moment and then back down. De Ridder using his legs now to keep Meerschaert at bay then works to his feet.
De Ridder with a trip takedown in the center of the Octagon. Meerschaert hunting for an armbar and tries to work on top late in the round, but it doesn’t quite pay off for him.
Round Three:
Jab for de Ridder. Meerschaert battles past that to get to the clinch against the cage. Back to striking range they go. Meerschaert in on a single-leg, but de Ridder stuffs that attempt and gets up. They remain clinched up though. De Ridder able to trip Meerschaert to the mat.
There’s some scrambling now and de Ridder stays on top. Meerschaert goes to his knees and turtles up. De Ridder able to progress to full mount.
De Ridder goes for an arm triangle choke and he’s got it in tight, forcing Meerschaert to tap out at 1.44mins of the third round.
