Merab Dvalishvili plans on throwing palms 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 places his gold up for grabs towards 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 exhibiting the world that his stand-up recreation is simply as harmful as his work on the mat.
“Coaching camp has been excellent. I’m focusing extra on my placing, excited to throw palms 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 drawback for Morab. His type is de facto onerous to cease. Cory presents issues, however we’ve ready effectively and given him the suitable seems 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 towards Marlon Moraes all the best way 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 towards 11 finishes beneath the UFC banner, his most up-to-date coming towards Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines early this yr. The truth is, it was that win that earned ‘Sandman’ his shot at Dvalishvili this Saturday night time.
Dvalishvili is a heavy favourite lower than every week away from battle night time, with some sportsbooks giving him odds as excessive as 4-to-1 over his +300 challenger.