Cory Sandhagen has broken his silence following a hard-fought battle at UFC 320, where he fell short against bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. Despite a strong start, the tide turned as the fight went deeper, leaving Sandhagen with a decision loss but plenty of respect from fans and peers.
The event took place on October 4, 2025, at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Sandhagen showcased sharp striking and movement early, but Merab’s relentless pace and grappling carried the later rounds.
Sandhagen opened aggressively, controlling distance with his jab and chopping at Dvalishvili’s legs. His left hook found its mark multiple times, especially on counters. In the opening 90 seconds, he stopped Merab’s first takedown and pushed the action back to striking range. He mixed jabs and kicks effectively, setting the tone for round one.
The second round marked a turning point. Dvalishvili pushed hard for single-leg takedowns, eventually landing a heavy combination that knocked Sandhagen down. Though Sandhagen survived, the champion used his wrestling to control the rest of the round and keep the pressure on.
Early in round three, Dvalishvili scored another takedown, but Sandhagen scrambled up and landed a clean head kick. Both men traded heavy shots, with Sandhagen trying to create space and Merab smothering him against the fence.
Round four saw Sandhagen regain momentum with quick double jabs, sharp body work, and a big counter right. Still, each surge was answered by Dvalishvili’s clinches and takedowns, including a late throw that impressed the judges.
In the final round, the champion stayed relentless. He landed key takedowns and controlled positions to close out the fight, while Sandhagen tried to rally with sharp punches in the final seconds. It wasn’t enough to overturn the scorecards.
Sandhagen’s Post-Fight Statement
After the fight, Sandhagen took to Instagram to share his thoughts with fans and congratulate his opponent.
“Congrats to the champ — you’re a hell of a fighter and a great champion of the division,” Sandhagen wrote. “I’m proud to have fought you. I’ll get you next time!! To all my fans, nothing changes for me. It’s all hard work till the day I hang it up. We’ll still get to gold — even though the water is murky right now. I’ll always have an unbreakable spirit until the day I die. I love this sh*t.”
The 33-year-old now holds an 18–6 record and remains a top contender in the bantamweight division. His ranking is expected to stay within the Top 5 when the official update drops later this week.
Support From Martial Arts Legend
Among the many reactions to his post-fight message was a notable one from Chuck Norris, who praised Sandhagen’s heart and performance despite the loss. Norris called him a “warrior” and expressed continued support, highlighting the respect Sandhagen earned through his effort inside the cage.
“The heart of a warrior,” Norris replied on Instagram. “Regardless of the outcome, you went out there and showcased greatness. Always in your corner, Cory.”
Sandhagen remains a dangerous and respected figure at 135 pounds. While this loss delays another title opportunity, his skill set and determination keep him firmly in the mix. A matchup with another top contender could set up a future shot, depending on the division’s next moves.
