Introduction
Dvalishvili Dominates Sandhagen-vs-Merab Title Bout, Setting Historic Takedown Record at UFC 320 Las Vegas, Nevada – Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight title in a decisive performance against challenger Cory Sandhagen, winning by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46) in the co-main event of UFC 320 in Las Vegas. The victory was defined by a record-breaking display of unrelenting pace and grappling control that neutralised the dynamic striking threat of his American opponent. The contest was billed as a classic stylistic clash: the relentless pressure and elite wrestling of Dvalishvili, nicknamed “The Machine,” against the unorthodox angles and superior striking acumen of Sandhagen. For the champion, the bout represented his third title defence of the year, further solidifying his reign over one of the organisation’s most competitive weight classes. For Sandhagen, this was an opportunity to capture the undisputed championship after a career marked by spectacular finishes and consistent ranking near the summit of the division. From the opening bell, the highly anticipated strategic battle began to unfold. Sandhagen, known for his long reach and creative footwork, established distance early, landing crisp jabs and sharp leg kicks designed to slow the champion’s forward momentum. However, Dvalishvili remained undeterred, absorbing the initial output before initiating the first of his signature chain-wrestling attacks approximately two minutes into the first round. While Sandhagen initially demonstrated improved takedown defence, the persistent threat of the grappling exchange began to dictate the rhythm of the fight.
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The second round proved pivotal, offering a glimpse of the champion’s evolving threat matrix. Having primarily relied on his wrestling pedigree in previous contests, Dvalishvili stunned the arena by connecting with a forceful combination of strikes that visibly hurt Sandhagen, leading to a scramble where the challenger was momentarily dropped. Though Sandhagen managed to recover and survive the remainder of the round, the near-stoppage underscored the danger Dvalishvili now presents in all phases of the mixed martial arts contest, forcing Sandhagen to spend crucial energy defending rather than initiating offence. The remainder of the 25-minute championship fight saw the champion execute a masterclass in pressure. Over the five rounds, Dvalishvili was credited with a staggering 20 successful takedowns—a new UFC record for a championship bout. Furthermore, the Georgian achieved a monumental career milestone during the second round, registering his 100th career takedown in the UFC, an accomplishment that places him first in the organisation's history for total takedowns completed. Analysts suggested that the sheer volume of Dvalishvili’s attempts was the key factor in the outcome. “Sandhagen is elite at scrambling, perhaps the best in the division at getting back to his feet,” stated one long-time combat sports correspondent. “But the law of diminishing returns dictates that when you are forced to shoulder 20 takedown attempts across five rounds, your striking rhythm and explosion inevitably diminish.
Dvalishvili did not necessarily seek to hold Sandhagen down for long periods, but rather used the repeated entries to drain his opponent’s stamina and disrupt his striking rhythm. ” This constant grappling barrage effectively stifled Sandhagen’s innovative attack. Though the challenger landed several significant strikes throughout the middle rounds, including punishing overhand rights and uppercuts as Dvalishvili shot in, the impact was consistently negated by the immediate follow-up pressure. The scorecards, which reflected Dvalishvili winning four rounds on each judge's sheet, indicate a clear margin of victory defined by control and activity. Speaking moments after the official announcement, Dvalishvili, whose energy appeared unspent despite the high-output contest, reaffirmed his nickname. “I am a machine,” he stated to the crowd. “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, and I had to change my style.
” His comments suggest a belief that his current form is only the beginning of his dominance, putting the rest of the division on notice. The result of the Sandhagen-vs-Merab bout firmly establishes Dvalishvili as the dominant force at 135 pounds, having now navigated a gauntlet of elite contenders and former champions. The bantamweight division, long considered volatile, now faces a period of stability under a champion whose pace appears almost impossible to match over a five-round distance. Future challengers will need to present a completely unique solution to Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure, requiring an unprecedented blend of knockout power and defensive wrestling prowess to dethrone the reigning king. The immediate outlook for the champion involves a relatively short turnaround, with Dvalishvili expressing an interest in fighting again before the end of the year to further cement his legacy. For Sandhagen, the loss is a significant setback, but his resilience and moments of offensive success during the gruelling fight ensure he remains a top-tier contender in the mix for future title contention. For a post-fight perspective from the champion, you can watch the interview detailing his plans for the future Merab Dvalishvili wants December return after historic win vs. Cory Sandhagen | UFC 320.
Conclusion
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