Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Title with Dominant Grappling Display Against Sandhagen at UFC 320

Las Vegas, NV – Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili successfully retained his UFC Bantamweight Championship in the co-main event of UFC 320 on Saturday night, delivering a performance characterized by relentless pressure and a record-setting takedown assault against challenger Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili’s unwavering gameplan, despite Sandhagen’s acclaimed striking prowess, proved insurmountable, leading to a unanimous decision victory with scorecards reading 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46.

The bout, held at the T-Mobile Arena, pitted two of the bantamweight division’s elite against each other. Dvalishvili, known for his suffocating pace and powerful wrestling, entered the contest on an impressive winning streak, having defeated top contenders like Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo en route to the title. His professional record stood at 17-4 (10-2 UFC) prior to this defense. Sandhagen, an innovative and dynamic striker with a professional record of 16-5 (9-4 UFC), had earned his shot at gold through victories over Marlon Vera and Song Yadong, showcasing a unique blend of athleticism and technical striking. The stylistic clash promised a compelling encounter, with many anticipating Dvalishvili’s grappling to test Sandhagen’s defensive wrestling and striking acumen.

From the opening bell, Dvalishvili, contrary to his usual immediate grappling approach, attempted to fulfill a pre-fight promise to seek a knockout. He stood in striking range, engaging Sandhagen in a stand-up battle. Sandhagen, utilizing his significant length and reach advantage, responded effectively, landing crisp jabs and straight punches that kept the champion at bay. For approximately two minutes, the striking exchanges were competitive, with Sandhagen appearing to hold a slight edge, demonstrating why he is considered one of the division’s premier technicians on the feet.

However, recognizing the effectiveness of Sandhagen’s striking, Dvalishvili swiftly reverted to his signature strategy. He initiated a powerful clinch, drove Sandhagen against the cage, and began his relentless pursuit of takedowns. Sandhagen, known for his defensive grappling improvements, initially showed resilience, fending off several attempts and quickly scrambling back to his feet after being taken down momentarily. Even in these grappling exchanges, Sandhagen found opportunities to land sharp kicks to Dvalishvili’s legs, attempting to slow the champion’s forward momentum. The first round concluded with Dvalishvili establishing his intent to control the fight on the ground, but Sandhagen proving difficult to keep there.

Related News :

• Dvalishvili Retains Bantamweight Championship with Dominant Grappling Display Over Sandhagen at UFC 320
• Bo Nickal explains why he gave double middle fingers to UFC 322 Crowd: ‘I stood up for myself’
• Combat Veteran Tony Ferguson Set for Interim Title Defense in Misfits Boxing’s Dubai Showcase
• Premier League Giants Intensify Midfield and Attacker Searches Ahead of January Transfer Window
• UFC Qatar: Contender Showdowns Set to Shape Future Divisional Landscapes

Entering the second round, Dvalishvili abandoned any pretense of a prolonged striking affair, immediately committing to his grappling game. His approach was relentless, characterized by continuous forward pressure, chain wrestling, and powerful entries for takedowns. While Sandhagen continued to defend commendably, utilizing underhooks, head position, and quick scrambles, the sheer volume of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts began to wear on the challenger. Crucially, the constant threat of the takedown opened opportunities for Dvalishvili’s striking. As Sandhagen braced for grappling entries, Dvalishvili capitalized, stinging him with a powerful flurry of strikes. This sequence clearly hurt Sandhagen, who momentarily stumbled. Dvalishvili swarmed, unleashing ground and pound, and came perilously close to realizing his pre-fight knockout prediction. Sandhagen, demonstrating remarkable recovery and grit, managed to regain his senses, secure a defensive posture, and survive the round, absorbing significant damage but refusing to capitulate.

The third round saw Sandhagen attempting to regain a foothold in the striking exchanges, showing flashes of his technical brilliance with well-timed combinations and lateral movement. He landed several clean shots that found their mark on Dvalishvili. However, the champion’s incessant forward pressure and continued grappling attempts remained a persistent problem. Even when takedowns were defended, Dvalishvili’s control of the center of the octagon and his ability to tie up Sandhagen against the cage minimized the challenger’s offensive output and prevented him from establishing a consistent rhythm. The cumulative effect of Dvalishvili’s energy-sapping style continued to mount.

A glimmer of hope emerged for Sandhagen in the fourth round. After successfully fending off several of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts, Sandhagen found more space to operate on the feet. He started landing significant strikes, including potent overhand rights and well-placed uppercuts that momentarily forced Dvalishvili to reset. This was arguably Sandhagen’s most effective round, showcasing his ability to damage the champion when given the opportunity. The round concluded with Sandhagen demonstrating renewed vigor, injecting a degree of uncertainty into the final frame.

However, any hope for a late Sandhagen surge was quickly extinguished by Dvalishvili in the fifth and final round. The champion returned with renewed intensity, immediately resuming his grappling assault. He secured multiple takedowns, maintaining control and stifling Sandhagen’s offense. Dvalishvili’s relentless effort culminated in a new UFC championship fight record, logging an astonishing 20 takedowns across the five rounds. This statistic underscored the sheer dominance of his ground game and his ability to consistently impose his will. In the final 15 seconds of the bout, Sandhagen managed to land a few desperate strikes, stinging Dvalishvili in a last-ditch effort. However, it was a moment too late, too isolated, to alter the clear trajectory of the fight. Dvalishvili had comprehensively earned the decision through his sustained pressure and control.

Following the official announcement of the scorecards, Dvalishvili, visibly elated but composed, addressed the crowd and media. "I am a machine," he declared, reiterating his well-known moniker. "I feel like I’m just starting. Really, before I was just a wild fighter. I had a big heart, of course, but the technique, I’m just learning. My background is not freestyle wrestling; I’m a judo guy. My style was with the kimono and I had to change my style." This statement highlighted the evolution of Dvalishvili’s fighting style, adapting his judo base to the demands of mixed martial arts wrestling and grappling, a transition that has clearly paid dividends in his career.

Dvalishvili, who has consistently expressed his ambition to be recognized as the greatest bantamweight fighter in history, also outlined his immediate future intentions. He expressed a desire for a rapid return to the octagon to continue building his championship legacy. "I want to be busy, Hunter Campbell and Dana White, if you have a spot in December, I would like a quick turnaround," Dvalishvili stated, directly addressing the UFC’s top brass. "If not, I’ll keep getting better and somebody will be in trouble."

The victory not only marks Dvalishvili’s first successful title defense but also extends his remarkable winning streak to 11 consecutive fights, solidifying his position atop the stacked bantamweight division. For Cory Sandhagen, the loss represents another setback in his pursuit of UFC gold, despite a valiant effort against a uniquely challenging opponent. The bantamweight division remains one of the UFC’s most competitive, and Dvalishvili’s performance has firmly established him as a dominant force to be reckoned with for years to come.

💬 Tinggalkan Komentar dengan Facebook

Author Profile

Ali Akbar Rosady

Latest entries

• MMANovember 29, 2025Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Title with Dominant Grappling Display Against Sandhagen at UFC 320
• MMANovember 29, 2025Paddy Pimblett Plots Championship Ascent in 2026, Targets Gaethje Interim Title and Future Showdowns with Topuria and Tsarukyan.
• MMANovember 29, 2025Jiri Prochazka Delivers Staggering Third-Round Comeback Knockout Against Khalil Rountree Jr. at UFC 320
• MMANovember 29, 2025Michael Chandler Sees Historic White House Showdown with Conor McGregor as Defining Moment