UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili showcased his signature relentless style in the co-main event of UFC 320 against Cory Sandhagen, securing a decisive victory through his unyielding pace and takedown strategy. Despite promising a knockout, Dvalishvili’s fight began with striking exchanges against Sandhagen, who demonstrated his superior striking skills early on. However, Dvalishvili quickly reverted to his dominant wrestling approach, clinching and pushing Sandhagen against the cage for takedowns. Although Sandhagen managed to defend and counter with strikes at times, Dvalishvili’s grappling pressure continually kept him on the back foot, notably hurting Sandhagen during a fierce ground assault in the second round.
Sandhagen showed resilience, improving his striking in the later rounds and threatening with powerful punches in the fourth, but Dvalishvili’s persistent forward movement and record-setting 20 takedowns throughout the fight ultimately overwhelmed the challenger. The judges scored the bout clearly for Dvalishvili with scores of 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46. Post-fight, Dvalishvili reflected on his evolution from a wild fighter to a more technical competitor, highlighting his transition from judo to adapting wrestling techniques. Eager to further cement his legacy as the greatest bantamweight, Dvalishvili called for a rematch soon, showing his hunger to keep progressing and challenging the division.
Fan Take: This victory cements Dvalishvili’s reputation as one of the most relentless and technically adaptive fighters in the bantamweight division, thrilling fans who appreciate grit and strategy. His demand for a quick rematch adds intrigue and promises exciting matchups that could elevate the division’s overall competitive landscape.
