The Ultimate Fighting Championship showcase at the UFC Apex pits veteran middleweight Gerald Meerschaert against Bryan Barberena on Saturday in Las Vegas. Whose seasoned acumen will claim superiority at UFC Fight Night 239?

The 36-year-old Meerschaert carries a wealth of experience, with 52 professional fights under his belt. He aims to bounce back from a two-fight skid against Joe Pyfer and Andre Petroski. Before that, he notched four victories in five Octagon outings, with all of those triumphs registered via submission. Meanwhile, Barberena, renowned for his gritty fighting style, transitioned to the middleweight division following a stint at 170 pounds. The 34-year-old now finds himself on a three-fight losing streak, yet he has the chance to launch into his 2024 campaign on a positive note with a decisive victory over Meerschaert.

As the two Americans prepare to engage in battle, a closer look at the statistical landscape leading up to this point:

19: Meerschaert is tied fourth on the list for total fights in the UFC middleweight division, with 19 appearances under his belt.

10: Meerschaert occupies the second spot in the middleweight bracket for most finishes, with 10 triumphs of that nature to his credit.

90: Meerschaert has the second-highest submissions-per-win percentage at 90% and the most submission wins in the history of the division with nine.

27: Meerschaert has a staggering 27 victories on his record via submission, which speak volumes about his submission prowess.

48: Barberena exhibits a 48% striking accuracy in his fights.

44: Barberena holds a significant 44% striking differential throughout his fights.

11: Out of his 18 professional career victories, Barberena has rattled 11 wins via knockout or technical knockout, highlighting his finishing abilities.