Merab Dvalishvili isn’t underestimating Cory Sandhagen | UFC 320
Merab Dvalishvili talks to MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn ahead of his UFC 320 bantamweight title defense over Cory Sandhagen on Oct. 4 in Las Vegas.
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili plans to show off a new wrinkle to his game.
Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC) will look to notch his third title defense of the year at 135 pounds when he takes on Cory Sandhagen (18-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) in the UFC 320 co-main event Oct. 4 from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Dvalishvili proved he has finishing instinct when he submitted Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316, and now he wants to test his striking against Sandhagen.
“I’m looking for the knockout because I’m working on my striking, you know,” Stake ambassador Dvalishvili, who has just three wins by TKO/KO in his career, told MMA Junkie in an interview facilitated by Stake. “This fight is mostly going to go on the feet, and of course I’m going to exchange some punches with him, and that’s the goal. But, at the same time, it’s an MMA fight. We have to be ready for everything, and I won’t be surprised.”
Despite his bold prediction, which would secure his first finish by knockout since 2021, Dvalishvili, who is a heavy betting favorite heading into the fight, knows the threats Sandhagen brings.
“I know a lot of people think I got this fight easy, but definitely no because it’s a new fight for me,” Dvalishvili said. “Cory Sandhagen is a dangerous opponent. I have so much respect for him as a fighter, as a human being. Every time I watched the knockout of when he finished Frankie Edgar, it’s crazy for me. He had finish against Bautista where he looked good and looked like next contender in our division.
“He dominated ‘Chito’ Vera, he stopped Song Yadong, and he had great fights against Petr, Umar. Cory Sandhagen is a dangerous opponent, it’s hard to stop him. He has a submission game, knockout game, he has good cardio, good takedown defense, good footwork. It’s going to be a great fight, and looking forward to facing him. I’m not thinking I have an easy matchup or easy fight. It’s going to be a good fight, and people will enjoy.”
