Gerald Meerschaert says Khamzat Chimaev and crew tried flexing on him at host hotel

Gerald Meerschaert is not a fan of some of Khamzat Chimaev’s decisions ahead of their middleweight clash.

The seasoned veteran takes on the undefeated prospect in the main card of Saturday’s UFC on ESPN+ 36 in Las Vegas. Meerschaert (31-13 MMA, 6-5 UFC) has made it clear that he doesn’t like that Chimaev and the UFC have already planned a future bout with Demian Maia before seeing what goes down at UFC on ESPN+ 36 first.

Now, you can add to that list a run-in Meerschaert said the two competitors had at the UFC’s host hotel. Meerschaert said at the UFC on ESPN+ 36 media day that Chimaev tried to stir the pot when the two saw each other in person.

“We passed each other in the hallway very quick and he tried to, I think he was trying to talk trash with me,” Meerschaert said. “He just kept saying, ‘Don’t talk too much,’ and I was kind like, ‘Yeah, OK.’ We’re fighting Saturday so we’re not going to do anything now because I want to make money.

“I don’t know what his deal is and not only that, but I don’t think it’s a very cool thing to flex when you got all your friends with you and stuff. I had one guy with me and he had a bunch of guys with him. I get it, you don’t have to like me, I don’t have to like you, but let’s just save it for the cage.”

Either way, Meerschaert believes the encounter reaffirmed the notion Chimaev is in for a rude awakening on Saturday night, one which will spoil his future plans.

“It’s one thing if you name names for after, guys have done that before, or even that you want to fight really often and if you can get another one in two months, but he’s naming dates and names and he’s trying literally trying to set up his next few fights. That rubs me the wrong way.”