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Dvalishvili Vs. Sandhagen Breakdown

Originally posted on BoxingNews.com | Last updated Oct 1, 2025 1:09 AM ET

Merab Dvalishvili faces Cory Sandhagen in a defense of his bantamweight belt at UFC 320, as we look at how the pair could approach this fight.

Dvalishvili is undefeated in his last 13 fights. He picked up the belt by beating Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 last year via a unanimous decision. He has made two successful defenses of the belt, beating Umar Nurmagomedov and O’Malley in their rematch. Meanwhile, Sandhagen has won four of his last five outings, most recently with a victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in May. Here is how the pair could approach the fight.

The Approach

Dvalishvili’s primary tactic will be to utilize his relentless pace and superior wrestling to nullify Sandhagen’s diverse striking. Merab is known for his non-stop pressure, constantly shooting for takedowns, often achieving a UFC-record high number of attempts per fight. For example, he will likely execute failed shots that immediately transition into new takedown attempts, such as a double-leg that becomes a body lock, or a cage-clinch that leads to a mat return, forcing Sandhagen to spend crucial energy defending rather than attacking. While he has publicly stated a desire to stand and strike more, his pedigree suggests the core strategy will remain rooted in his wrestling.

Sandhagen’s strategy will center on capitalizing on his size advantage, dynamic footwork, and superior technical striking to keep the fight in open space, where he can inflict damage and land a fight-ending blow. He is an elite striker who utilizes a wide array of tools, including spinning attacks, flying knees, and seamless stance switches. His key will be to control the distance and angles, making Dvalishvili’s entries predictable or ineffective. For instance, Sandhagen will likely use his long reach with a fast, disruptive jab and powerful kicks (leg, body, and head) to score points.