Cory Sandhagen is determined to defeat bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320, focusing on leading the fight and not being overwhelmed by Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and wrestling prowess.
Cory Sandhagen isn’t buying into the underdog narrative ahead of his fight with bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 320. Despite the odds, he’s focused on his own path to victory.
Dvalishvili’s reputation as a relentless force in the octagon is well-earned. His unmatched conditioning and evolving ground game make him a formidable puzzle no one has cracked in over seven years.
Sandhagen respects Dvalishvili’s skills but refuses to be swayed by the hype. “I’m not going to buy into any of the narrative that Merab’s this cardio machine,” he told MMA Fighting.
His confidence is unshaken. “I fully plan on going out and beating Merab and wearing gold on my waist,” Sandhagen declared. But he knows it won’t be easy.
Expecting a tough battle, Sandhagen is preparing for the worst-case scenario. Dvalishvili’s pace is a known weapon, but Sandhagen is ready for the challenge.
“Our bodies don’t do that good when we get tired,” Sandhagen explained. Fatigue leads to poor decisions, and Dvalishvili exploits that, but Sandhagen plans to stay sharp.
Dvalishvili’s constant engagement is a pain, but Sandhagen is used to that kind of fight. He aims to dictate the pace and not fall into Dvalishvili’s game.
To win, Sandhagen knows he must lead the dance. “I’m making sure that I can mentally keep up with the pace,” he said, emphasizing the importance of staying focused.
Dvalishvili is a phenomenal wrestler and a submission threat, but Sandhagen is ready. “Just making sure that I’m ready for the takedowns and the submissions,” he added.
While Dvalishvili may not have the intimidating aura of Silva or Jones, he’s still a daunting opponent. Sandhagen acknowledges the challenge but remains unfazed.
Reflecting on past fights, Sandhagen learned not to shy away from grappling exchanges. “You kind of just have to [concede] all right bitch, this is what we’re doing,” he noted.
With two months to prepare, Sandhagen is leaving no stone unturned. He’s not predicting the outcome but is confident he’ll surprise many at UFC 320.
“I think that I’ll probably surprise a lot of people with the way that I’ll fight Merab,” Sandhagen said. He’s excited to showcase his strategy and skills.