If you love a true clash of styles, then the UFC 320 co-main event is the fight you've been waiting for. We're about to see the reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion, Merab Dvalishvili, take on one of the most innovative strikers in the game, Cory Sandhagen. It’s a classic story: the unstoppable force meeting the technically brilliant object. This isn't just a fight; it's a high-stakes chess match where relentless pressure goes up against surgical precision.
Key Highlights
- ✓ This is one of the most anticipated bantamweight clashes in recent memory, pitting the reigning champ against a technical striking master.
- ✓ Merab Dvalishvili enters the fight on an incredible 13-fight UFC win streak and is the heavy betting favorite.
- ✓ Merab, known for his wrestling, surprisingly told TMZ he plans to "strike with" Cory and aims to "drop him."
- ✓ The 34-year-old champion has an ambitious goal: he plans to continue fighting until he is 50 years old.
- ✓ This fight is a classic clash of styles: Dvalishvili's relentless pressure and wrestling versus Cory Sandhagen's creative and unpredictable striking.
The Unstoppable Force: Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili
When you talk about Merab Dvalishvili, the nickname "The Machine" says it all. This guy is an absolute cardio monster with a wrestling game that seems to suffocate his opponents. He's currently riding a jaw-dropping 13-fight win streak in the UFC, and his style is built on one simple, brutal principle: relentless forward pressure. He forces you backward, chains takedowns together, and grinds you down against the cage until there's nothing left.
His gas tank is legendary; it feels like it’s practically bottomless, allowing him to push a pace that very few fighters can handle, especially in the championship rounds. And don't mistake him for a one-trick pony. His recent victories over elite strikers like Sean O’Malley and Petr Yan prove that he’s evolved. He stays incredibly composed under fire and has developed into a complete, championship-level fighter who knows how to win.
A Champion's Mindset
What's truly fascinating about Merab is his long-term vision. The 34-year-old isn't just thinking about his next fight; he's thinking decades ahead. He made it clear he's not worried about his legacy because, in his words, "I'm planning to fight until 50 years old, and I will have many records and many good stories." That’s a level of dedication and self-belief you just don't see every day. He's comfortable at number three in the pound-for-pound rankings, but his primary focus is dominating his division for years to come.
The Creative Technician: Cory “The Sandman” Sandhagen
On the other side of the octagon, you have Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen. If Merab is a bulldozer, Cory is a master architect of chaos. He’s one of the most creative and dynamic strikers in the entire UFC. We're talking spinning kicks, flying knees, and footwork so precise that he creates angles his opponents just don't see coming. He thrives on making fights unpredictable, using his range to frustrate fighters and punishing every little mistake.
One of the biggest questions surrounding Sandhagen has always been his ability to handle elite wrestlers. But since his loss to Sterling, he's clearly put in the work. His takedown defense and scrambling ability have noticeably improved. Combine that with his own elite cardio and constant lateral movement, and you have a fighter who is incredibly difficult to pin down. His recent TKO win over Deiveson Figueiredo was a masterclass in composure and skill, solidifying his spot as a genuine title threat.
The Tactical Breakdown: How Each Man Wins
So, how does this fight play out? It really comes down to who can impose their will. For Merab Dvalishvili, the game plan is straightforward but incredibly hard to stop. He needs to close the distance immediately and make Sandhagen fight off his back foot. He’ll look to chain his takedown attempts, because even the failed ones serve a purpose—they drain energy and disrupt rhythm. Once he gets it to the ground, it's all about top control, short elbows, and grinding out the clock, wearing Sandhagen down for the later rounds.
For Cory Sandhagen, the mission is the exact opposite: keep it standing at all costs. He needs to use his excellent footwork, leg kicks, and lateral movement to maintain distance and stay out of the clinch. The key will be countering Merab's entries. As "The Machine" shoots for a takedown, Sandhagen will need to time a knee or an uppercut perfectly. He has to stay disciplined, avoid getting into a brawl, and pick his shots cleanly. Even threatening with submissions from the bottom could make Merab think twice about shooting in recklessly.
The Betting Odds and The Underdog Story
It's worth noting that the oddsmakers have a clear favorite. Dvalishvili is sitting between –350 and –440, making him a heavy favorite to retain his title. Sandhagen, on the other hand, is the underdog at +285 to +300. But as any fight fan knows, those numbers mean nothing once the cage door locks. Style and execution are what truly matter, and Sandhagen has the skills to pull off a huge upset if he can execute his game plan flawlessly.
Can The Sandman Topple The Machine?
This brings us to the million-dollar question: can Cory Sandhagen actually beat Merab Dvalishvili? In terms of pure skill, absolutely. Sandhagen has a clear advantage in the stand-up exchanges. His footwork, precision, and creativity are elite. If he can keep the fight at his preferred range, punish Merab for every takedown attempt, and avoid getting pinned against the fence or on the mat, he has a real shot at outpointing or even finishing the champion.
However, the challenge is immense. Merab's entire fighting style is practically designed to neutralize someone exactly like Sandhagen. The relentless pressure, the world-class wrestling, and that insane pace are meant to break a striker's rhythm and drain their explosiveness. Over five rounds, that grind is incredibly difficult to withstand. The prediction from experts leans towards Merab getting his hand raised, likely via a unanimous decision or a late ground-and-pound stoppage. Sandhagen's best bet is likely a spectacular counter-finish in the middle rounds before Merab's pressure becomes completely overwhelming.
Conclusion
At the end of the day, the UFC 320 co-main event is a fight fan's dream. It’s a compelling matchup that pits two of the very best bantamweights in the world against each other, each with a clear and potent path to victory. Will it be the smothering, relentless pressure of "The Machine," Merab Dvalishvili, that prevails? Or will the creative, dynamic striking of "The Sandman," Cory Sandhagen, be the key that finally unlocks the championship puzzle? We’ll find out when that cage door closes in Las Vegas.
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