"When it comes to fighting inside a ring versus behind a fence, there's a real trade-off for grapplers," Merola noted. "It's tougher to take folks to the mat without a cage to lean against, yet once you do get someone down, they're also far more locked into that position."
"I've noticed the grappling just tends to slow down in a ring setting."
Gibson Jr. might only boast a single professional victory on his record, but he grew up completely immersed in combat sports. His dad, Lance Gibson Sr., was a UFC competitor during the early 2000s.
According to Merola, Gibson Jr.'s modest record doesn't reflect the danger he'll present when the bell rings, and Merola has no intention of taking him lightly.
"He brings solid martial arts credentials, he's a tough wrestler, and he packs a punch as a striker," Merola explained.
"He's genuinely impressive."
Merola’s Shoutouts
"I want to give a huge shout-out to everyone at Revolution Martial Arts."
