Cory Sandhagen is keeping his head high after UFC 320.
Sandhagen (18-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC) was overwhelmed by bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA, 14-2 UFC) in a unanimous decision loss in Saturday’s co-main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Sandhagen was able to achieve some success on the feet early, but Dvalishvili found his rhythm and even dropped him in Round 2. From then on, it was a takedown clinic from Dvalishvili, who kept repeatedly dragging Sandhagen down to the mat.
Despite falling short, Sandhagen remained positive in a statement he released on Instagram.
“Congrats to the champ – you’re a hell of a fighter and a great champion of the division. 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..Love you guys. Peace.”
After their fight, Sandhagen and Dvalishvili shared a respectful moment backstage.
Sandhagen fell short in his title pursuit for a second time. At UFC 267 in 2021, he faced Petr Yan for the interim bantamweight title, but lost a unanimous decision.
