The bantamweight title clash between Merab Dvalishvili and Cory Sandhagen took place as the co-main event of UFC 320 on Saturday night inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The matchup carried major stakes for the division, with Dvalishvili seeking his third successful defense of 2025 and Sandhagen aiming to finally secure the biggest win of his career.
The atmosphere was electric as fans anticipated a tactical yet intense showdown. Dvalishvili entered the bout as the reigning champion and relentless wrestling machine, while Sandhagen stepped in as the crafty striker and dangerous challenger looking to upset the division’s dominant figure.
Round 1: Sandhagen’s Defense Tested Early
Referee Marc Goddard oversaw the action. Sandhagen opened with measured footwork, flicking kicks to manage distance and probing with his jab. Dvalishvili charged in quickly, forcing exchanges in close quarters. Sandhagen landed a clean counter combination that briefly halted the champion’s rush, but Merab adjusted and drove in for takedowns.
Sandhagen showed sharp defensive grappling, but Dvalishvili’s persistence paid off when he muscled him off the fence for a clean takedown. Sandhagen popped back up, avoiding extended control, and scored with a lunging right hand near the end of the frame. His reach advantage was evident, though Dvalishvili’s pressure kept him on the back foot.
Round 2: Momentum Shifts Toward the Champion
The second round saw Dvalishvili immediately returning to his wrestling roots. He switched grips seamlessly, eventually dragging Sandhagen down multiple times. Sandhagen scrambled up again and again, but each reset brought another takedown.
Midway through, Dvalishvili found success with his right hand, rocking Sandhagen and swarming with punches against the cage. A clever inside trip from behind allowed him to control position and score points. His conditioning looked as sharp as ever, bouncing on his feet even after a high-output sequence.
Round 3: Technical Adjustments and Scrambles
Sandhagen tried to create space, targeting the body and working his jab. Dvalishvili mixed feints into single-leg entries, staying unpredictable. Their exchanges in the center were tight and calculated, both men landing clean shots.
Prolonged clinch battles developed against the fence. Dvalishvili’s trips and throws continued to wear on Sandhagen’s balance. Whenever Sandhagen managed to escape, the champion would drag him down again moments later. The pace remained relentless, reflecting why Dvalishvili’s nickname “The Machine” feels earned.
Round 4: Sandhagen Fights Back
To start the fourth, Dvalishvili popped his jab, but Sandhagen answered with crisp low kicks and sharp counters. He landed one of his cleanest punches of the fight, a slick right hand that drew cheers.
Still, Dvalishvili’s wrestling refused to fade. He shifted from singles to doubles, pinning Sandhagen to the cage and threatening positional advances. Sandhagen briefly threatened a reversal near the fence, almost taking Merab’s back, but the sequence reset to standing. The challenger’s striking was sharper here, though damage remained limited on both sides.
Round 5: Champion Seals the Win
Knowing the fight was close, Dvalishvili wasted no time in the fifth. He blitzed forward, landing punches before chaining straight into a takedown. Sandhagen worked his way back to the cage but was dragged down again.
As the final minutes ticked away, both fighters dug deep. Sandhagen connected with clean combinations, but Dvalishvili’s control and volume stood out. His ground-and-pound, while short, was enough to keep the referee from intervening for resets. Sandhagen’s scrambles were spirited, but the champion’s grip never loosened.
When the horn sounded, both men were exhausted but respectful — a high-level chess match between two elite bantamweights.
Official Decision and Aftermath
All three judges scored the bout for Dvalishvili: 49–45, 49–45, 49–46, giving him another unanimous decision win. This marked his third successful defense of 2025 and extended his unbeaten streak inside the division.
Sandhagen’s performance was gritty and strategic, but he struggled to keep Merab off him long enough to establish consistent offense.
Dvalishvili now looks ahead to a potential fourth defense later this year, further cementing his place as one of the most dominant champions the division has seen.
Watch the highlights below:
THE CHAMP IS GOING OFF IN ROUND 2 😳
[ #UFC320 | LIVE NOW on @ESPN PPV | @MerabDvalishvil ] pic.twitter.com/krGwhvDz7l
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025
That’s triple digit takedowns 💪@MerabDvalishvil becomes the first fighter in UFC history to amass 100 takedowns!
[ #UFC320 | LIVE NOW on @ESPN PPV ] pic.twitter.com/TfZmhWvPw6
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025
THE MACHINE STAYS KING 🇬🇪👑@MerabDvalishvil defeats Cory Sandhagen at #UFC320 by Unanimous Decision to remain the bantamweight champion of the world! pic.twitter.com/lkbosPkTCq
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025
Taking names & making notes 📝@MerabDvalishvil remains the bantamweight champion of the world after #UFC320!
[ LIVE NOW on @ESPN PPV ] pic.twitter.com/hsN5YGbGbl
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025
December? 🎄@MerabDvalishvil doesn't want to waste any time getting back into the Octagon!
[ #UFC320 | LIVE NOW on @ESPN PPV ] pic.twitter.com/Kvkba075LH
— UFC (@ufc) October 5, 2025
