The UFC heads to the UFC Apex for an exciting night of fights with a middleweight matchup between Jared Cannonier and Caio Borralho headlining the fight card.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 23: Edmen Shahbazyan reacts after his knockout victory against AJ Dobson in a middleweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on March 23, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

On the main card, we have an exciting matchup in the middleweight division between two mainstays in the division as rising prospect Edmen Shahbazyan takes on longtime middleweight contender Gerald Meershchaert this weekend.

Shahbazyan was able to get back on track in a big way when he knocked out AJ Dobson in his last fight meanwhile, Meerschaert finally got back into the win column as well after dropping back-to-back fights.

These middleweights will be looking to put on a show and keep it moving up the rankings, so let's take a look at the matchup and our Shahbazyan-Meerschaert prediction and pick.

UFC Vegas 96: Edmen Shahbazyan Betting Predictions August 24th

Edmen Shahbazyan (13-4)?was looking like a contender as he came into his UFC career with wins in four straight fights. However, once he got a step up in competition he went on to lose his next three fights. Shahbazyan is now 2-1 in his last three fights with both of those wins coming by knockout as he looks to build off his recent momentum when he takes on Gerald Meerschaert this weekend at UFC Vegas 96.

1. Shahbazyan is now 6-4 in his UFC career after a 4-0 start.
2. Of those 6 wins, 4 of them have come by KO/TKO and 1 by submission.

Shahbazyan is at his best when he's able to dictate the pace of the fight on his feet. From there he can land his crisp boxing combinations, mixing it up from the body to the head and putting it on his opposition.

In recent losses, it has been grappling that's been his biggest glaring weakness which could be a problem against a submission specialist like Meerschaert but Meerschaert has had issues with power punches like Shahbazyan in the past.

This fight is a classic striker vs grappler matchup and as long as Shahbazyan can keep this fight on his feet by punishing Meerschaert as he gets within range, we should see yet another highlight reel knockout for Shahbazyan this weekend.

UFC Vegas 96: Gerald Meerschaert Betting Predictions August 24th

Gerald Meerschaert (36-17)?hit a rough patch coming into his last fight with only one win in his last four fights with losses in each of his last two. He was then able to get back on track by submitting Bryan Barberena in the second round and will be looking to extend his winning streak this weekend.

1. Meerschaert is now 11-9 during his time in the UFC but is just 2-3 in his last 5 fights.
2. Of Meerschaert's 11 UFC victories, 10 of them have come by submission and 1 by KO/TKO.

Meerschaert is known for grappling and submission game and while it's no surprise for the opposition, he's still able to go in there and get the submission. While he's not at his best when he's on the feet his striking is serviceable to get into the clinch and take his opponent down to get the submission.

Seeing as Shahbazyan has struggled in the past against grapplers, this gives Meerschaert a chance to work his magic. If Meerschaert can avoid having striking exchanges on the feet with Shahbazyan and drag him to the canvas, he wears him out, takes his back, sinks in another submission, and extends his winning streak this weekend.

UFC Vegas 96: EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN vs GERALD MEERSCHAERT FANDUEL ODDS FOR AUGUST 24

MONEY LINE

• EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN: -300
• GERALD MEERSCHAERT: +235

PROPS

• EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN BY POINTS: +800
• EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN BY SUBMISSION: +1000
• EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: -150
• GERALD MEERSCHAERT BY POINTS: +900
• GERALD MEERSCHAERT BY KNOCKOUT/TKO: +1600
• GERALD MEERSCHAERT BY SUBMISSION: +430

OVER/UNDER (ROUNDS TOTAL)

• OVER 1.5 ROUNDS (+100)
• UNDER 1.5 ROUNDS (-126)

BEST UFC VEGAS 96 ODDS FOR EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN vs GERALD MEERSCHAERT

• Gerald Meerschaert comes into this matchup as one of the biggest underdogs on the fight card. DraftKings Sportsbook has the best odds for Meerschaert at (+280)
• Edmen Shahbazyan is one of the biggest favorites on this fight night card. FanDuel Sportsbook comes in with the best odds at (-300)
• FanDuel has the best odds when it comes to the over/under on the total rounds, which is set at 1.5 Rounds (+100) for the over, and (-126) for the under

FINAL SHAHBAZYAN-MEERSCHAERT PICK & PREDICTION

This is going to be a great scrap for however long it lasts between these two middleweight competitors. Ultimately, while Meerschaert has a clear advantage in the grappling it will be the speed and power of Shahbazyan that will be the difference maker as Shahbazyan lands a beautiful combination on the feet that puts out Meerschaert early notching his 7th victory inside the Octagon.

FINAL SHAHBAZYAN-MEERSCHAERT PICK & PREDICTION: EDMEN SHAHBAZYAN (-300)