Can Cory Sandhagen Defeat Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili?
UFC 320 may contain one of the most anticipated rematches, in Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira, but it also contains a highly anticipated matchup in the Bantamweight class that will have the title card begging a pause to watch if only for a moment. Merab Dvalishvili is the current champion of the Bantamweight division and has even said of his current opponent, Cory Sandhagen, that he is a dangerous one to face. However, Merab also wants to keep his KO/TKO record growing as he prefers to keep this fight at a standing position to win by striking rather than submission. After all, he is coming off a solid five-fight winning streak compared to Cory, who has won four of his past five fights.
Cory will likely have an answer for “The Machine’s” aspiration to develop a statement by knocking him out through striking techniques. This answer will more than likely come from his own striking strategies, where he defeated opponents like Deiveson Figueiredo by KO/TKO in the second round of their fight. The crux of Merab’s developing striking game compared to Cory’s is that they both seem to prize headshots when they land significant strikes, which does cost them both accuracy of more valuable shots to the body if this fight goes longer than three rounds. Cory will also have to consider his ground strategy if the fight prolongs, as Merab could transition his initial standing strategy into a position of dominance on the ground, where he submitted Sean O’Malley in the third round of their fight. It is likely not to happen as Cory’s reach is two inches longer than Merab’s when standing with both arms and legs. Merab, though, wouldn’t be the champion if he didn’t see this too and had respect for the footwork and striking capabilities that have dominated much of Cory’s past wins.
This fight could go all five rounds too, as both fighters are not strangers to going the distance to hear back from a decision-based win. It does seem unlikely, though, given that it would be too much risk for Merab, who is still developing a standing strategy to round himself out as a fighter when he knows he can take the fight to the ground if Cory rattles his dome. Cory could take it all the way, and this fight could be even more of a shock to UFC 320 than the current title fight. Tune into the UFC 320 Pay-Per-View event on ESPN+ or UFC Fight Pass on Saturday, October 4th, 2025.
