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Dvalishvili Defends Bantamweight Title in Record-Setting Display, Solidifying Legacy By Our Combat Sports Correspondent Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili retained his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight title on Saturday night, delivering a performance of relentless pressure and setting a new record for grappling dominance in a five-round championship bout. Dvalishvili, known universally by his moniker ‘The Machine,’ defeated American contender Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, 49-46) in the co-main event of UFC 320 in Las Vegas. The victory marks Dvalishvili’s third successful title defence, firmly entrenching him in conversations regarding the greatest bantamweight competitors in the sport’s history and extending his formidable professional winning streak to 14 consecutive victories. The contest, which took place at the T-Mobile Arena, was billed as a stylistic clash between Dvalishvili’s non-stop wrestling and Sandhagen’s elite technical striking and footwork. While Sandhagen enjoyed early success in the opening round, utilising his distance management and high volume of strikes to keep the champion at bay, the tide turned decisively in the second round. Dvalishvili adjusted his relentless pace, closing the distance and employing the wrestling-heavy strategy for which he is renowned. Dvalishvili’s performance over the 25 minutes saw him repeatedly drag Sandhagen to the canvas, neutralising the challenger’s offensive striking output. By the final bell, Dvalishvili had successfully completed an unprecedented 20 takedowns from 37 attempts, establishing a new record for the most takedowns landed in a five-round UFC title fight. This surpassed the previous record of 16, set in 2007, underscoring the truly historic nature of his performance.
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Furthermore, the victory pushed Dvalishvili’s career total takedown count in the UFC to 117, extending his own all-time record, which he broke earlier this year. Speaking in the post-fight interview, the champion acknowledged the significance of his demanding style and the physical toll it takes on opponents. "I am a machine," Dvalishvili told commentators, reflecting on his nickname. "I keep getting better, I train hard. I'm surprised at how much better I'm getting. " This unrelenting pressure has become Dvalishvili’s trademark. Trained out of the highly respected Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York, his methodology relies on a bottomless gas tank and continuous forward momentum, forcing his opponents into defensive errors or simply overwhelming them through sheer output. It is a strategy that has seen him go undefeated since 2018, overcoming a murderer’s row of top contenders including former champion Sean O’Malley and former two-time titleholder Petr Yan. Combat sports analysts have been quick to praise the champion’s execution and stamina.
On the night’s broadcast, colour commentator and UFC Hall of Famer Joe Rogan described Dvalishvili as a “freak” of nature in reference to his conditioning and pace. Veteran sports reporter, Mike Bohn, noted the psychological impact of the champion’s style. “What Merab does is unique in that opponents know precisely what is coming, yet they are still unable to stop it over the course of five rounds,” Bohn stated. “He doesn't just win decisions; he suffocates his challengers, taking their will to fight late in the contest. This latest record proves that his output is simply not sustainable for anyone else in the division. ” Dvalishvili’s ascension holds particular significance for his native Georgia. Born in Vani, Imereti, he grew up wrestling traditional styles such as kartuli ch'idaoba and khridoli before moving to the United States to pursue professional MMA. He remains the first Georgian-born UFC champion in history, an achievement that was recognised by the Georgian government with a substantial prize, which Dvalishvili reportedly donated to support grappling initiatives in his home country. Attention now immediately turns to who Dvalishvili will face next as he seeks to build upon his legacy.
The champion expressed a strong desire for a quick turnaround, ideally targeting a December event, and named former champion Petr Yan as his preferred opponent. Yan recently rebounded from a tough stretch with three consecutive victories, positioning himself for a rematch against Dvalishvili, who previously defeated him in a non-title fight in 2023. In summary, Dvalishvili’s dominant performance at UFC 320 served as more than just a successful title defence; it was a defining moment that quantified his unique contribution to the sport. By setting a new benchmark for grappling volume in a title fight, he has effectively laid down a marker for all future contenders in the bantamweight division. The question facing the promotion is not whether Dvalishvili can be beaten, but whether any fighter can sustain the required energy and discipline to survive his relentless pace over five rounds. See what the matchmakers are saying about Merab Dvalishvili’s next opponent after his historic title defence here.
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