Polaris 26: Jones vs. Meerschaert full card line-up and preview
Check out the full card line-up for Polaris 26, featuring a main event matchup between Craig Jones and Gerald Meerschaert.
Former two-weight Polaris champion Craig Jones is set to make his return to the UK-based promotion, as he’s set to take on longtime UFC middleweight Gerald Meerschaert in the main event of Polaris 26.
The event goes down this Saturday, November 4, in Southampton, England.
Widely regarded as one of the sport’s top competitors, Jones is a two-time ADCC silver medalist. He has competed in just one event so far this year, putting on a strong showing at Quintet 4 to carry his B-Team squad to victory.
Meerschaert, meanwhile, is short on professional grappling experience but is one of MMA’s most accomplished submission artists. A BJJ black belt, Meerschaert owns the record for the most submissions in UFC middleweight history.
Naturally, Jones will be a sizeable favorite against the UFC veteran. However, if Meerschaert is able to defend Jones’ vaunted leg attacks, he may be able to drag the match into deep waters and test the Australian’s gas tank.
Reusing returns, McCann debuts, Langaker and Taza set for battle
Craig Jones won’t be the only Polaris champion back in action. Women’s openweight champion Kendall Reusing will return for her first match since the 2022 ADCC World Championships to square off with 2022 IBJJF no-gi world champion Leticia Cardozo.
Known for her elite wrestling and relentless guard passing, Reusing is one of jiu-jitsu’s best top players, but she’ll face a stiff test in the form of the well-rounded and physical Cardozo.
Lower on the card, UFC veteran Molly “Meatball” McCann will make her promotional debut against talented judoka Julia Scardone. Read a preview of that matchup here.
Also, a showdown between ADCC veterans Tommy Langaker and Oliver Taza has all the makings of a high-paced classic.
After an accomplished gi career that saw him winning an IBJJF European title, Langaker burst onto the no-gi scene in 2022, winning the ADCC European Trials and defeating Renato Canuto in ONE Championship before dropping a competitive decision against ADCC and ONE champion Kade Ruotolo earlier this year.
New Wave’s Taza, meanwhile is a multiple-time ADCC veteran and one of jiu-jitsu’s most active elite no-gi competitors. The Canadian is highly regarded for his world-class leg lock game, and he owns recent notable victories over top grapplers like Kieran Kichuk, Sebastian Rodriguez, and Rene Sousa.
Both Langaker and Taza should know what to expect from the other man. The two black belts battled last weekend at the IBJJF no-gi European Championships, with Langaker walking away with a points win after a high-paced match.
Full Polaris 26 main card line-up
- Craig Jones vs. Gerald Meerschaert
- Kendall Reusing vs. Leticia Cardozo (openweight title)
- Molly McCann vs. Julia Scardone
- Tommy Langaker vs. Oliver Taza
- Owen Jones vs. Bart Dubbeldam
- Marcin Maciulewicz vs. Max Bickerton
How to watch: Polaris 26 takes place on Saturday, November 4, and airs live on UFC Fight Pass (subscription required) beginning at 3 PM ET.
