A 55-fight veteran spoke out after his status and surname was significantly reduced in promo footage.
Belal Muhammad is preparing to defend his welterweight title against Jack Della Maddalena within the fundamental event of UFC 315 on May 10.
Whilst Muhammad often gets criticized by fans for a few of the daring statements that he makes in interviews and on social media, the 170-pound champion appears to be an incredible presence within the gym.
Fight fans saw the connection that he has together with his teammates this past weekend at UFC 313 where Muhammad shared a touching moment with Ignacio Bahamondes.
One in all his training partners and coaches recently featured in a video with ‘Remember The Name’ where his title and significance was cut short which caught his eye on social media.
Gerald Meerschaert responds to promo footage listing him as Belal Muhammad’s sparring partner
With probably the most finishes in UFC middleweight history, Gerald Meerschaert has been a staple of the roster since signing to the promotion in 2016.
‘GM3’ suffered a submission loss last day out but he’s back to get himself into the win column on April 5 where he takes on fellow veteran Brad Tavares.
Meerschaert recently commented on a video that was put out of him training with Belal Muhammad, addressing the way in which that he was labelled.
In an interview with Inside Fighting, the 37-year-old made reference to some promo footage, which could be seen below via Moose Rash Guards, stating that he wasn’t sure whether it was for the UFC or not.
During a conversation between them, Meerschaert’s name tag appears and lists him as “Gerald Merch – Sparring Partner”.
“I’m not super famous or anything however it’s not prefer it’s hard to seek out out who I’m they usually put the primary half of my last name they usually even misspelled that. In order that they’re missing like half of my last name after which they put it as like Gerald Merch they usually had me as his sparring partner.”
Meerschaert went on to elucidate in the identical interview that his response to the video went much deeper than his name being spelt entirely unsuitable.
As a 22-fight veteran and grappling coach on the gym, he believes that he deserves a bit more credit than simply being credited as a sparring partner.
“Yeah, technically we’re training partners but A, I’m also a grappling coach at Valle since I’ve been there and I’m greater than, not that I’m the just one there but like I literally run a category and I help teach him. I’m not only his training partner and B, I’m also competing within the UFC! It’s not like I haven’t done nothing! So I used to be sort of like alright, I assume I’m just Belal Muhammad’s sparring partner now.”
Next month is one other big one for Belal Muhammad’s team at VFS
Fresh off of Ignacio Bahamondes’ impressive win at UFC 313 which earned him a spot within the rankings, the team at VFS Academy will look to maintain this momentum going.
Before Belal Muhammad headlines UFC 315 in Montreal, one other certainly one of his teammates has an enormous fight coming up in Miami.
Former title challenger Yair Rodriguez will welcome Patricio Pitbull to the UFC next month in an enormous clash at 145-pounds.
Some tension between Rodriguez and Pitbull has made this fight a must-watch even with its controversial placement because the featured prelim for UFC 314.