Dvalishvili Retains Bantamweight Championship with Dominant Grappling Display Over Sandhagen at UFC 320

The T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed Merab Dvalishvili solidify his reign as the undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, as "The Machine" executed a relentless, suffocating grappling strategy to secure a unanimous decision victory over top contender Cory Sandhagen in the co-main event of UFC 320. The official scorecards read 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46, all in favor of the Georgian champion, underscoring the comprehensive nature of his performance on Saturday night.

Dvalishvili (20-4 MMA, 13-2 UFC), who entered the octagon on an impressive 10-fight win streak, showcased his signature high-pressure, volume grappling attack against Sandhagen (18-6 MMA, 11-5 UFC), a fighter renowned for his unorthodox striking and intricate footwork. The matchup was widely anticipated as a classic striker-versus-grappler contest, with many analysts highlighting Sandhagen’s ability to maintain distance and punish opponents from range, contrasted with Dvalishvili’s unparalleled ability to close the distance and initiate grappling exchanges. Sandhagen, a veteran of several high-stakes bouts, including interim title challenges, was seeking to finally capture undisputed gold. His path to this title shot included notable victories over Marlon Moraes, Frankie Edgar, and Song Yadong, showcasing his evolution and adaptability. Dvalishvili, meanwhile, aimed to make a definitive statement in his first official title defense since being elevated to champion, a status he earned through a remarkable run that included a dominant performance against former champion Petr Yan. The bantamweight division, widely considered one of the UFC’s deepest and most competitive, awaited a clear statement from its new king.

From the opening bell, Dvalishvili, contrary to his established grappling-heavy reputation, appeared eager to fulfill a pre-fight promise of seeking a knockout. He engaged Sandhagen in striking range, attempting to trade blows with a fighter widely regarded as one of the division’s most skilled stand-up artists. Sandhagen, utilizing his significant reach advantage and fluid movement, landed several clean strikes in the initial two minutes, demonstrating his precision and ability to control the range. His kicks, particularly to Dvalishvili’s legs, found their mark, creating early concern for the champion’s corner and forcing Dvalishvili to absorb damage while attempting to find his rhythm on the feet.

However, after experiencing Sandhagen’s striking prowess firsthand, Dvalishvili swiftly reverted to his foundational strategy. He initiated a powerful clinch, pressing Sandhagen against the cage and immediately working for takedowns. This shift marked the beginning of the tactical battle that would define the contest. Sandhagen, known for his resilience and scrambling ability cultivated through years of high-level competition, successfully defended the initial grappling onslaught, managing to bounce back to his feet after a brief moment on the canvas. Upon separation, he continued to pepper Dvalishvili with a mix of strikes, including sharp leg kicks, signaling his intent to maintain striking dominance and punish Dvalishvili for attempting to close the distance.

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The second round saw Dvalishvili double down on his grappling-first approach, a testament to his strategic discipline. Learning from the initial exchanges, he wasted little time attempting to close the distance and engage in wrestling, recognizing that his path to victory lay in neutralizing Sandhagen’s stand-up game. While Sandhagen’s takedown defense remained robust, often preventing the fight from hitting the mat or quickly scrambling back to his feet when it did, the persistent threat of the takedown began to create crucial openings in his striking defense. Dvalishvili capitalized on this, using feints and level changes to set up powerful striking combinations that Sandhagen, focused on defending the incoming shots to his legs and body, struggled to see coming. This strategic adjustment culminated in a pivotal moment midway through the round. Dvalishvili stung Sandhagen with a flurry of strikes, visibly rocking the challenger with clean, powerful shots. As Sandhagen stumbled, Dvalishvili immediately followed up with aggressive ground and pound, unleashing a barrage of punches that brought him agonizingly close to realizing his pre-fight knockout prediction. The T-Mobile Arena erupted as Sandhagen bravely absorbed the punishment, demonstrating his veteran resolve and iron chin, eventually regaining his composure and surviving the round, albeit clearly shaken and retreating to his corner with a look of intense focus.

Entering the third frame, Sandhagen showed remarkable recovery and renewed aggression, attempting to re-establish his rhythm in the striking exchanges. He landed some effective shots, utilizing his signature footwork to create angles and his speed to counter Dvalishvili’s forward movements. However, Dvalishvili’s relentless forward pressure and unwavering commitment to grappling ensured that Sandhagen was constantly on the defensive, unable to build significant momentum or maintain prolonged periods of striking offense. Each time Sandhagen found a pocket of success, Dvalishvili would close the distance, initiate a clinch, or attempt a takedown, effectively disrupting the challenger’s flow and sapping his energy. The cumulative effect of Dvalishvili’s constant movement and the sheer physical effort required to defend his barrage of takedown attempts began to show on Sandhagen, whose breathing became heavier as the round progressed.

The fourth round offered a glimmer of hope for Sandhagen’s supporters and a moment of genuine tension for the champion. The challenger appeared to find a second wind, successfully fending off several of Dvalishvili’s takedown attempts with improved timing and strength. With the distance maintained, Sandhagen created space to land impactful strikes. He connected with well-timed overhand rights and crisp uppercuts that momentarily slowed Dvalishvili’s relentless pace, forcing the champion to reset. This surge of offense gave Sandhagen a much-needed boost, demonstrating his championship-caliber heart and suggesting a potential shift in momentum heading into the championship rounds, igniting anticipation for a dramatic final frame. The crowd responded with a roar, sensing a potential turning point.

However, Dvalishvili swiftly extinguished any notions of a late-fight comeback in the fifth and final round. He returned with renewed vigor, immediately resuming his grappling assault with the same intensity seen in the early rounds. The champion’s legendary cardio and unwavering determination were on full display as he continued to pursue takedowns relentlessly. Throughout the bout, Dvalishvili attempted an astounding 20 takedowns, setting a new UFC championship fight record. While not all takedowns resulted in prolonged ground control or significant damage, each attempt and successful execution served multiple critical purposes: it disrupted Sandhagen’s rhythm, consumed his rapidly diminishing energy, and scored points with the judges, who consistently rewarded Dvalishvili’s offensive grappling. In the final 15 seconds, Sandhagen, in a desperate last-ditch effort, managed to land a few clean strikes, but it was too little, too late to alter the outcome. Dvalishvili’s dominant performance had clearly secured him the decision victory, leaving no doubt about the rightful owner of the bantamweight strap.

Post-fight, Dvalishvili, still brimming with energy despite the grueling 25-minute contest, addressed the crowd with characteristic enthusiasm. "I am a machine," he declared, echoing his well-earned nickname and underscoring his relentless fighting style. "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." His comments highlighted his ongoing evolution as a mixed martial artist, showcasing a blend of raw physicality with increasingly refined technique, a process that has seen him become one of the most formidable champions in the sport.

The champion also wasted no time in expressing his ambition to remain active and build on his 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, already looking towards his next challenge. "If not, I’ll keep getting better and somebody will be trouble." This declaration underscores Dvalishvili’s desire to cement his status as the greatest bantamweight fighter in history, a division currently stacked with elite talent including contenders like Sean O’Malley, Aljamain Sterling, and Umar Nurmagomedov.

This victory marks Dvalishvili’s first successful defense of the UFC Bantamweight Championship, extending his remarkable 11-fight winning streak and further solidifying his position atop the 135-pound division. For Cory Sandhagen, it is another setback in his quest for undisputed gold, a journey that has seen him consistently face the division’s best. However, his resilience, innovative striking prowess, and ability to survive against Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure throughout the contest confirm his status as a perennial top contender in a highly competitive weight class. The bantamweight division remains one of the UFC’s most exciting, with Dvalishvili’s dominant performance setting a high bar for future challengers and promising continued thrilling matchups.