Merab Dvalishvili showcased his dominance in the UFC bantamweight division with a decisive victory over Cory Sandhagen during UFC 320. The event took place on Saturday night in Las Vegas, where Dvalishvili solidified his status with his 14th consecutive win.
Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Title
Now holding a professional record of 21 wins and 4 losses, Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title for the third time. His performance in the second round was particularly impressive, where he overwhelmed Sandhagen with a barrage of punches and strong wrestling.
Fight Highlights
- Dvalishvili dropped Sandhagen multiple times with powerful strikes.
- He executed eight takedowns out of 13 attempts in Round 2.
- Significant strikes in Round 2: Dvalishvili 33, Sandhagen 2.
- The fight judges scored it 49-45, 49-45, and 49-46 in favor of Dvalishvili.
Despite dominating, Dvalishvili expressed surprise at not finishing Sandhagen in the second round. “I planned to knock him out, almost did,” he noted. He emphasized that he hopes to earn respect for his striking abilities.
Wrestling Dominance
Dvalishvili’s wrestling remains the cornerstone of his fighting style. Throughout five rounds, he attempted 37 takedowns and successfully landed 20, setting a new UFC record for a title fight and the second-highest in any contest.
- He has now achieved 10 or more takedowns in five different fights.
- Dvalishvili’s total takedowns in UFC now stand at 117, extending his own record.
- His current winning streak is the fourth longest in UFC history.
Since April 2018, Dvalishvili has remained undefeated and currently ranks at the top of ESPN’s men’s bantamweight standings, while also being positioned as No. 3 in the pound-for-pound rankings.
Sandhagen’s Challenge
Cory Sandhagen, a 33-year-old fighter from Aurora, Colorado, holds a professional record of 18 wins and 6 losses. He was ranked as the fifth best in the bantamweight category and aimed to become the first male American champion since the retirement of heavyweight Jon Jones in June, which led to the first instance since 2004 without an American man holding a championship. Though he did not win, Sandhagen’s challenge to Dvalishvili marked a significant moment in the division.
