Cory Sandhagen enters UFC 320 with a transparent technique: dictate the battle on the ft and depend on conditioning to outpace bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. The bout, set for October 4, 2025, at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas, will see Sandhagen problem Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight title on the primary card of this pay-per-view occasion.
Cory Sandhagen vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320
Sandhagen, ranked fourth within the division, brings an 18-5 skilled report into the title tilt. His string of latest performances features a second-round TKO win over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in Could 2025 and a hard-fought determination loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in August 2024. Identified for mixing spinning assaults with spectacular boxing, Sandhagen has sharpened his hanging arsenal below the Elevation Combat Group banner.
He has ready for five-round title fights all through his UFC tenure, conditioning himself to keep up output late into championship rounds.
Dvalishvili, the reigning bantamweight champion since September 2024, holds a 19-4 skilled report. The Georgian specialist is well known for his chain-wrestling strategy, relentless tempo, and record-setting takedowns within the division. His wrestling base, honed alongside teammates equivalent to Aljamain Sterling at Serra-Longo Combat Group, underpins a technique that usually grinds opponents into fatigue throughout 5 rounds. Dvalishvili has defended the title twice, most not too long ago submitting Sean O’Malley in June 2025, and boasts one of many longest energetic win streaks in UFC historical past.
In an interview with MMA Preventing, forward of UFC 320, Sandhagen articulated a gameplan constructed on steady enchancment and coronary heart.
“I’ve at all times been a very sturdy believer in that if I simply preserve working my ass off … every little thing will simply work itself out. And I do know that MMA is a loopy sport and something can occur,” he stated. He harassed that his preparation targets tempo and technical progress. “I’ve been coaching for 5 rounds for years now, so my physique’s conditioned for it. I simply don’t actually see too many paths for Merab to win. His methods of successful are wrestling guys and getting guys drained, and also you received’t do this to me.” Sandhagen added that he expects a hanging battle, noting developments in his velocity, energy, and positional work.
Sandhagen’s confidence stems from a perception that his hanging enhancements will neutralize Dvalishvili’s wrestling. “I’ve gotten miles and miles higher at that as nicely. I’m hitting tougher now. I’m sooner. My place is best… I simply can’t see me shedding.”
He anticipates conserving distance, utilizing angles to evade takedown makes an attempt, and dictating vary with various strikes. Sandhagen’s success will hinge on sustaining excessive output, defending takedown entries, and executing a clear hanging assault constant together with his latest performances.
As UFC 320 approaches, Sandhagen’s plan to leverage his hanging edge and endurance in opposition to Dvalishvili’s championship wrestling units the stage for a compelling conflict.
