UFC 320 is just around the corner, and one of the most anticipated matchups may not be the main event. Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen promises a fast-paced bantamweight battle. Despite Dvalishvili being the heavy betting favorite at -385, Sandhagen is confident in his ability to stay on top.
Sandhagen’s New Edge
Speaking with Shak MMA, Sandhagen explained how his training under Trevor Wittman has elevated his skills and mental approach. He believes Dvalishvili’s usual tactic of wearing opponents down through grappling won’t succeed against him.
“He’s beaten a lot of really good guys, so he knows how to beat a bunch of styles,” Sandhagen said. “But the ones that he’s gotten really popular off are Umar by Umar getting way too tired. I don’t get tired.”
Ground Game Won’t Stop Me
The bantamweight fighter emphasized his resilience against Dvalishvili’s wrestling:
“He beat O’Malley because O’Malley was very tentative. He was looking for one shot, and he was slow to get up. So he kinda got outwrestled a little bit. I don’t get outwrestled. When I get taken down, I pop back up immediately. And I’ve proven that against Umar, who I think is equal if not better of a grappler than Merab is.”
Sandhagen is undeterred by Dvalishvili’s past victories, confident that his striking and movement will define the fight.
“I’m honestly not very intimidated at all about his past wins,” Sandhagen continued. “I think that I’m a completely different fighter who brings a completely different set of skills to the fight. And Merab’s way of winning is getting people tired and wrestling them, and no one’s ever beaten me like that. So how’s he gonna win?”
He added, “That’s kind of the way that I’m viewing it. I think that it’s gonna be a striking match whether he likes it or not or whether he says he’s open to that or not. That’s what’s gonna happen, and I just can’t see him winning.”
Sandhagen underlined his physical readiness and mental sharpness heading into UFC 320:
“He better hope that I catch a cold in the next week or something or get staph or have to be on antibiotics,” he concluded. “Because right now I’m in the best shape of my life, and I’m wrestling better than I’ve ever wrestled. So I just don’t see him winning that way.” via
The Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen matchup serves as the co-main event, while the headline features Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira in a rematch for the light heavyweight title. Fans can expect Sandhagen to use striking and agility to counter Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure, making this bantamweight bout one of the evening’s most strategic showdowns.
