Preview: ‘The Ultimate Fighter’ 27 Finale

Middleweights
Gerald Meerschaert (27-9) vs. Oskar Piechota (11-0-1)
Odds: Piechota (-235), Meerschaert (+195)

Meerschaert is a veteran action fighter who took nine years and 32 fights to make it to the UFC, where he has gone 3-1 without getting out of the second round. The southpaw is left side dominant, uncorking thudding body and head kicks behind his straight left hand. But the Roufusport product is hittable and tends to lean his head and chin back in the face of pressure. One key skill set that speaks to his experience is his ability to blend his boxing with his clinch striking as he moves forward. “GM3” is a BJJ brown belt, and the mat is where he is most dangerous, boasting 19 submission victories. His wrestling isn’t great offensively or defensively, but he lands more than two takedowns per fight by continuing to go for them. He has a tough matchup against a blue-chip middleweight prospect in Piechota. The Pole is a BJJ black belt under Robert Drysdale who has competed at ADCC and won European grappling titles. His striking has also become a legit weapon, as he packs serious power in his overhand right and his favorite weapon, the left hook. Piechota also fires crushing head kicks with either leg. The Piranha Grappling Team member isn’t a great wrestler and does not strike in volume, but his power means he is a threat. And whenever the fight does hit the ground, he is aggressive, technical and relentless in his pursuit of a dominant position and submission. Meerschaert will want to keep this on the feet and outpoint Piechota, but his hittability and the Pole’s superior scrambling ability means he has to walk a fine line. Piechota takes it by decision.

Featherweights
Tyler Diamond (9-0) vs. Bryce Mitchell (9-0)
Odds: (n/a)

Two of the favorites on the show find themselves relegated to curtain-jerker status. Diamond is a physical wrestler with a potent right hand. After crushing Cucciniello with several flush rights to start the fight, he struggled to get much going. The Team Alpha Male fighter shot double-legs from too far out and got sprawled on. That, coupled with the Brit’s consistent body work, emptied Diamond’s gas tank, leading to his TKO loss. He typically likes to do what he was able to in his first matchup, which is get on top, beat his man up and take a mercy-kill submission if it’s there. Mitchell has finished nearly all his fights by submission, but he too struggled to put Cucciniello away, despite having his back for nearly the entire second round. Still, the southpaw is long, emphasizing his left cross and body kick. Despite some success on the feet against Katona, “Thug Nasty” wanted to take it to the floor. He is a capable if unspectacular wrestler, more determined than supremely skilled. Diamond should be able to dictate where the fight takes place and claim top position more often than not. He takes a decision.

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