Merab Dvalishvili plans on throwing arms with Cory Sandhagen.
Returning to the Octagon for the second time in 2025, ‘The Machine’ will look to safe his third bantamweight title protection when he puts his gold up for grabs in opposition to Sandhagen within the UFC 320 co-main occasion.
Sitting on a 13-fight win streak, Dvalishvili is greatest identified for his wrestle-heavy assault that has taken him from contender to world champion. However this weekend, the Georgian plans on showing the world that his stand-up game is simply as harmful as his work on the mat.
“Coaching camp has been excellent. I’m focusing extra on my hanging, excited to throw arms on Cory Sanhagen,” Dvalishvili mentioned within the first episode of UFC 320 Embedded. “I’ve to maintain my belt on October 4th right here in Las Vegas. Each challenger presents some kind of downside for Morab. His type is admittedly arduous to cease. Cory presents issues, however now we have ready nicely and given him the appropriate seems to be to be prepared. I’m assured to defend my title.”
It’s been greater than 4 years since Dvalishvili had KO’d an opponent, that coming in opposition to Marlon Moraes all the way in which again at UFC 266. It nonetheless stands as his solely knockout contained in the Octagon.
In the meantime, Sandhagen goes into his long-awaited 135-pound title shot with six KOs in opposition to 11 finishes beneath the UFC banner, his most up-to-date coming in opposition to Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines early this yr. Actually, it was that win that earned ‘Sandman’ his shot at Dvalishvili this Saturday evening.
Dvalishvili is a heavy favourite lower than every week away from struggle evening, with some sportsbooks giving him odds as excessive as 4-to-1 over his +300 challenger.
