UFC newcomer Gerald Meerschaert dominated the Midwest regional MMA scene for nearly a decade before finally getting his well-deserved break in the UFC.

Now competing under the brightest lights and on the biggest stage in the sport, Meerschaert fully intends to make every opportunity count.

His regional reputation was quickly confirmed in the big leagues as he showcased his immense grappling skills in his UFC debut this past December when he stopped Joe Gigliotti by near naked choke in the very first round of the contest. That impressive submission victory in his debut earned him a hefty Performance of the Night bonus.

Meerschaert stepped back into action for the second time in less than two months at UFC Fight Night 105 in Halifax, Nova Scotia, when he submitted fellow grappling-heavy middleweight, Ryan Janes via first-round armbar. He didn't manage to pick up a second $50,000 bonus check but he does plan on putting the rest of the division in check in due time.

"I told you all I was here to f*ck up the whole middleweight division," Meerschaert said.

With an impressive 19 submission victories already to his credit, Meerschaert is generally considered a grappling-first fighter. The Milwaukee, Wisconsin, resident says that this fact is due in large part to the training opportunities available to him and his combat circumstances as a young, developing fighter coming up in the fight game.

"When I started out I took to grappling," Meerschaert said. "It's a lot easier to find better instruction in grappling here in the States. Striking is not a new thing but other than boxing, integrating striking to suit the needs for MMA is still a developing part of the game. It's a lot easier to find high level grapplers than it is to find high level strikers."

When simply glossing over his impressive resume, the submission wins stand out but as in many cases there is much more to the story that what is found on the surface. When digging deeper, in turns out that the damage Meerschaert has done on the feet has led to numerous finishes on the ground. It's the yin and the yang of the unpredictable and fluid fight game.  

"I have all these submissions," Meerschaert said. "What happens is I try to stay on the feet. I want the fight to be entertaining. I end up hurting a guy and he says 'screw this' and shoots and we end up on the ground. As much as I want to be entertaining, I'm always looking to finish the fight so I just happen to end up there and get the submissions."

Meerschaert is well aware of the importance of putting on an entertaining fight for the fans each and every time out. He makes a conscious effort to adopt the role of showman and always has the goal of putting on an unforgettable scrap inside the Octagon. Far too often uneducated crowds lose their patience as soon as a fight hits the canvas. The sport still employs newbie referees that stand up fights for seemingly no reason even as fighters have worked hard to get to an advantageous position.

"When I'm grappling I'm still trying to make it exciting," Meerschaert said. "I'm not out here just trying to submit people. I want to beat your ass and I want to look good doing it. Even if I haven't done a lot of damage on the feet as soon as I get on top I grapple very top heavy in fights. I like to be in control. When given the opportunity to land a lot of damage then I will take the submission."

The Duke Roufus trained smasher is always looking to inflict maximum damage, plain and simple. He also juggles the fact that he is simultaneously employed in the hurt business and the entertainment business.

"I'm just trying to bring that entertainment element," Meerschaert said. "Even if my fights go to decision, I have a finishing rate over 90%, so it usually doesn't happen, but even if it does I am going to be out there throwing leather and making it entertaining for fans from bell to bell."