Event Details
Event: UFC Perth: Della Maddalena vs. Prates
Bout: Jacob Malkoun vs. Gerald Meerschaert (Middleweight)
Venue: RAC Arena, Perth, Western Australia
Local Start Time: 08:00 UTC for early prelims; Malkoun vs. Meerschaert is on the Preliminary Card
Environment: Indoor arena (no weather impact)
Injury Report
No injuries or withdrawals have been reported for either fighter as of April 30, 2026. Both are fully cleared. (No conflicting reports found in any sourced material.)
Fighter Profiles & Recent Form
Jacob Malkoun (9–3)
Record in UFC: 5–3 since 2020
Physicals: 5’9″, 73″ reach
Recent Fights:
Win — Torrez Finney (Unanimous Decision), Jan 2026
Win — Andre Petroski (KO/TKO), 2024
Loss — Cody Brundage (DQ), 2023
Win — Nick Maximov (UD), 2022
Loss — Brendan Allen (UD), 2022
Strengths:
Elite wrestling volume: 5.81 takedowns per 15 minutes, 41% accuracy
High striking output: 151–42 significant strike domination in last fight
Cardio & pace: 10:39 average fight time, comfortable in long fights
Weaknesses:
Limited submission offense
Can be undersized at middleweight
Gerald Meerschaert (37–21)
Record in UFC: 12–13 since 2016
Physicals: 6’1″, 77.5″ reach (4.5″ reach advantage)
Recent Fights:
Loss — Kyle Daukaus (SUB R1)
Loss — Michal Oleksiejczuk (KO/TKO R1)
Loss — Brad Tavares (UD)
Loss — Reinier de Ridder (SUB R3)
Win — Edmen Shahbazyan (SUB R2)
Strengths:
One of UFC’s most prolific submission artists: 29 career submissions, 12 in UFC middleweight history
Dangerous in scrambles, strong clinch grappling
Weaknesses:
Four‑fight losing streak
Recently submitted twice despite grappling pedigree
Declining durability at age 38
Matchup Breakdown
Striking
Malkoun: Higher volume, better accuracy (58% significant strikes)
Meerschaert: Lower output, relies on counters and clinch entries
Edge: Malkoun
Grappling
Malkoun: Strong wrestling, top control
Meerschaert: Far superior submission threat
Edge: Meerschaert (if he gets dominant positions)
Cardio
Malkoun: Proven over long fights
Meerschaert: Historically durable but fading in recent years
Edge: Malkoun
FIGHT ODDS
Jacob Malkoun – 1100
Gerald Meerschaert + 700
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, May 1, 2026
