Gerald Meerschaert is off to a rough start ahead of a crucial fight.
The 58-fight veteran missed weight for the first time in his career on Friday, coming in at 190 pounds at the UFC Perth official weigh-ins for his middleweight bout against Jacob Malkoun. With Meerschaert coming in four pounds over the non-title limit, his bout with Malkoun proceeds at a catchweight with “GM3” forfeiting 30 percent of his purse as penalty.
Meerschaert, 38, is badly in need of a win as he’s mired in a four-fight losing streak stretching back to August 2024. The 19-year veteran went winless in 2025 and was finished in the first round in his past two fights against Kyle Daukaus and Michal Oleksiejczuk.
Watch highlights of Friday morning’s weigh-ins above.
UFC Perth headliners Jack Della Maddalena and Carlos Prates stepped to the scale without issue, with both making championship weight at 170 pounds. “JDM” looks to move one step closer to regaining the welterweight title, while Prates hopes defeating the former champion earns him his first shot at UFC gold.
Della Maddalena is currently the No. 2 welterweight in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, while Prates stands at No. 7.
Outside of Meerschaert, the 25 other fighters competing Saturday successfully made weight, including co-main event lightweights Beneil Dariush (156) and Quillan Salkilld (156).
Check out UFC Perth weigh-in results below.
Main Card (Paramount+ at 4 a.m. ET)
Jack Della Maddalena (170) vs. Carlos Prates (170)
Beneil Dariush (156) vs. Quillan Salkilld (156)
Tim Elliott (126) vs. Steve Erceg (125.5)
Marwan Rahiki (146) vs. Ollie Schmid (145.5)
Shamil Gaziev (264) vs. Brando Pericic (265)
Tai Tuivasa (265) vs. Louie Sutherland (261)
Preliminary Card (Paramount+ at 7 a.m. ET)
Cam Rowston (185) vs. Robert Bryczek (186)
Junior Tafa (205.5) vs. Kevin Christian (204)
Jacob Malkoun (186) vs. Gerald Meerschaert (190)*
Colby Thicknesse (135) vs. Vince Morales (136)
Ben Johnston (185.5) vs. Wes Schultz (186)
Jonathan Micallef (170) vs. Themba Gorimbo (171)
Dom Mar Fan (155) vs. Kody Steele (156)
*Meerschaert missed weight. His bout with Jacob Malkoun proceeds at a catchweight with Meerschaert forfeiting 30 percent of his purse as penalty
Read the full article here
