Ian Heinisch Out of UFC 250, Gerald Meerschaert Expected to Meet Anthony Ivy

Mandatory Credit: Mike Sloan - Sherdog.com & WXC 

A middleweight pairing between #12 ranked contender, Ian Heinisch, and talented grappler, Gerald 'GM3' Meerschaert has been shelved ahead of UFC 250 this Saturday at the UFC APEX facility in Las Vegas, Nevada. Due to undisclosed reasons, Heinisch has withdrawn from the bout, with San Antonio native, Anthony 'Aquaman' Ivy expected to meet Meerschaert on short-notice, in his premier Octagon appearance. News of the targeted matching was first reported by Combate reporter, Raphael Marinho.

Roufusport mainstay, Meerschaert brings a massive experience edge to his unexpected pairing with Ivy - with a staggering thirty-two more contests under his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Taekwondo black belt.

The Wisconsin native knocked back emerging prospect, Deron Winn in his most recent Octagon appearance, wrapping up a final-frame rear-naked choke. The victory marked the 32-year-old's return to the winner's enclosure, following a razor-thin judging loss to Eryk Anders, after a guillotine triumph over Trevin Giles.

Brazilian Top Team Texas mainstay, Ivy will feature under the UFC banner for the first time, bringing an 8-2 professional record with him to the middleweight affair. Currently riding a notable five-fight win streak, the 30-year-old has featured under the stewardship of Bellator MMA, and Legacy Fighting Alliance earlier in his five-year career.

In Ivy's most recent outing, he defeated Willis Black to secure the WXC welterweight championship back in September of last year.