Brad Tavares Rebounds with Statement Win Over Gerald Meerschaert at UFC Vegas 105
Last night at UFC Vegas 105, Brad Tavares reminded everyone exactly why he's one of the most seasoned and consistent middleweights in the UFC. After coming into the bout with back-to-back losses, there was pressure on Tavares to deliver — and he did just that, securing a unanimous decision victory over the always-dangerous Gerald Meerschaert.
From the opening bell, Tavares looked sharp. You could tell he came into this fight focused and hungry to snap his losing streak. He started off strong with clean jabs and crisp combinations, keeping Meerschaert guessing and stuffing every takedown attempt that came his way. His footwork was on point, and he made it clear early on that he wasn’t going to let this fight go to the ground — not on GM3’s terms.
Throughout the first round, Tavares controlled the pace, mixing his strikes beautifully. He landed body kicks, jab-hook combos, and that sneaky right hand over the top, all while denying Meerschaert the opportunity to get close enough for any real grappling. By the end of the round, it was evident Brad was dictating the fight.
Round two had more back-and-forth moments, with Meerschaert pushing the pressure a bit more, even landing some solid right hands and clinching Tavares against the cage. But Brad’s composure really stood out — he broke free, circled out, and continued to land significant strikes, including a slick uppercut and a body kick that kept GM3 honest. And that right hand he landed towards the end of the round? It rocked Meerschaert, even though he managed to stay on his feet.
Going into the third, it was clear Meerschaert needed a big finish. He pushed hard, trying to close the distance and force a takedown, but Tavares just wouldn’t budge. Brad stayed upright, defended the cage, and kept landing shots when it mattered. Even when they were clinched up, he stayed busy with punches and made sure the judges saw who was in control.
When the final horn sounded, it was no surprise to hear the judges award the fight to Tavares across the board — 29-28 on all three scorecards. Not only did he get back in the win column, but he also tied Michael Bisping for the most wins in UFC middleweight history. That’s a massive achievement and a testament to how long and consistently he’s been performing at this level.
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You’ve got to respect a guy like Tavares — he knew Meerschaert was a dangerous opponent, someone who’s known for late finishes and pulling off upsets, and he still stuck to his game plan. He didn’t chase a finish recklessly, he stayed technical, disciplined, and walked away with a big W. This win not only helps him reset his momentum, but it puts him back in the mix for more meaningful fights in a stacked middleweight division.
Now the big question is — who’s next for Brad Tavares? With his experience and this performance, there are plenty of great matchups ahead. One thing's for sure: he’s still got a lot left in the tank.
Brad Tavares Outstrikes Meerschaert in Tactical Win at UFC Vegas 105
Man, what a performance from Brad Tavares at UFC Vegas 105. If anyone had doubts about whether he still belongs among the middleweight elites, he just shut that conversation down. Tavares stepped into the Octagon last night looking to snap a two-fight skid, and he did exactly that with a smart, composed, and clinical performance over the always-dangerous Gerald Meerschaert.
This wasn’t some wild slugfest or a quick finish—it was a calculated battle of technique and fight IQ, and Brad showed up locked in from the very first bell.
Right out of the gate, Tavares was sharp. He kept his jab working and mixed in clean body shots, disrupting Meerschaert's rhythm and stuffing his takedown attempts with confidence. Every time Gerald tried to close the distance or push him to the cage, Brad just calmly circled out and reset. That first round set the tone: Tavares was the cleaner striker, more composed, and clearly had the better timing.
In round two, things got a little more aggressive. Meerschaert came forward with more pressure, even landed a couple of solid shots, but Tavares stayed calm. He returned fire with quick combos and brutal body kicks. One low kick even dropped GM3 briefly, but Brad, being the seasoned vet he is, didn’t rush in recklessly. He kept the fight standing, stayed patient, and kept racking up points. That discipline really stood out.
The third round was all about control. Meerschaert, likely knowing he was down on the cards, tried everything—shooting for takedowns, clinching against the fence, throwing whatever he could. But Brad just kept denying him. He defended well, landed shots in the clinch, and finished the round strong with clean strikes and solid movement. It was textbook veteran composure.
By the end of it, there was no question. All three judges scored it 29-28 for Tavares, giving him a much-needed unanimous decision win and, in the process, tying Michael Bisping for the most wins in UFC middleweight history. That’s not just a nice stat—that’s legacy territory.
What really stood out to me wasn’t just the win, but how Tavares approached it. He knew Meerschaert was dangerous, especially late in fights, and he didn’t underestimate him. He didn’t chase a flashy finish or get reckless. He stuck to his game plan, respected the threat, and still imposed his will. That’s the mark of a fighter who’s been through the fire and learned from it.
So now the question is: who’s next for Brad Tavares? With a performance like that, he’s definitely earned a high-profile matchup. Maybe another ranked opponent. One thing’s for sure—he’s still a real factor in the middleweight division.
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