Tag: Merab Dvalishvili

Cory Sandhagen: ‘I Have The Style That Will Beat Merab Dvalishvili’

Cory Sandhagen is one of the top contenders in the bantamweight division but several key losses have stopped him from claiming UFC gold to this point. He’s been beaten by the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling in the past but “The Sandman” is always circling the title picture meaning that he’s […]

Cory Sandhagen is one of the top contenders in the bantamweight division but several key losses have stopped him from claiming UFC gold to this point. He’s been beaten by the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling in the past but “The Sandman” is always circling the title picture meaning that he’s never too far away from getting the next shot.

In a recent YouTube video on his channel, Sandhagen looked to breakdown the recent bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and his former opponent, Nurmagomedov. The current titleholder is one of the few top names at 135-pounds that Sandhagen is yet to meet inside the Octagon and despite the incredible performance that “The Machine” delivered this past weekend at UFC 311, it’s obviously a fight that intrigues the #4-ranked contender.

“Umar’s definitely a really good fighter,” Sandhagen said on his YouTube channel. “He beat me. He’s better than I am stylistically. That being said, styles make fights. If you’re going to be a guy that fights against Merab, you have to have really, really, really good footwork and be able to defend the takedowns in an energy efficient way. Merab has fought O’Malley, beat him pretty decisively. Yan, beat him pretty decisively. Umar, beat him pretty decisively. Those are the three guys that are ahead of me. I should be next in line.”

With that analysis in mind and his position in the division, Sandhagen believes that he would be an interesting matchup for the reigning champion because of the clash of styles. He acknowledged that it would be a “tough sell” and he’s not going to call out Dvalishvili but nevertheless, “The Sandman” believes that he might be the man to dethrone the Georgian.

“I do think that if there is a style that beats Merab, it’s one that can control the space the best. And say whatever you want about my style, what you have to say about it is I probably have the best footwork in the division. If not the best, way, way up there. I hold space, keep space, close it, open it better than anyone else in the division in my opinion. That’s what’s going to beat Merab. So when I get to fight him, I’m really excited to see how that gets to look like.”

Former UFC Fighter Explains Why Cardio Isn’t Merab Dvalishvili’s ‘Biggest Strength’

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili may be known for his cardio, but one analyst has pointed to another attribute as being his most important. Dvalishvili opened his account for 2025 in style this past weekend, co-headlining the very first pay-per-view event of the new year in defense of his 135-pound gold. The Georgian entered UFC […]

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili may be known for his cardio, but one analyst has pointed to another attribute as being his most important.

Dvalishvili opened his account for 2025 in style this past weekend, co-headlining the very first pay-per-view event of the new year in defense of his 135-pound gold.

The Georgian entered UFC 311 as an underdog, with many backing undefeated challenger Umar Nurmagomedov to become the latest from his team to secure championship glory.

That script wasn’t followed by “The Machine,” however, as he lived up to his moniker by putting a relentless pace on Nurmagomedov through rounds three, four, and five to overcome a strong start from the Russian and get the nod on all three scorecards.

In the aftermath, Dvalishvili’s engine has unsurprisingly been the main talking point and leading point of praise directed at the champ. But one ex-fighter has highlighted a different skill while identifying the Georgian’s greatest strength.

“I attribute a lot of Merab’s success to his — which is a skill in itself, it’s an underappreciated skill in itself — and that is his ability to stay comfortable at all times,” Din Thomas said during an episode of MMA Today on SiriusXM. “Nothing makes him uncomfortable. Like, missing a shot? ‘I don’t care.’ Losing two rounds in the beginning? ‘I don’t care.’

“Nothing makes him panic and he still keeps the same pace. Nothing breaks him,” Thomas continued. “That is a remarkable skill, and I think that’s his biggest strength. It’s not his cardio. I think his ability to just stay focused on task and remain comfortable while he’s doing it is his greatest asset.”

Nurmagomedov has questioned the result in the aftermath. Regardless, he’ll need to bounce back next time out and begin the road toward earning a second title opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage.

For Dvalishvili, on the other hand, Saturday’s result ensured that his reign got past its first hurdle four months on from his crowning at the expense of Sean O’Malley.

“The Machine” is now targeting an incredibly active year, with his next defense potentially coming in the year’s second quarter.

Former UFC Fighter Explains Why Cardio Isn’t Merab Dvalishvili’s ‘Biggest Strength’

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili may be known for his cardio, but one analyst has pointed to another attribute as being his most important. Dvalishvili opened his account for 2025 in style this past weekend, co-headlining the very first pay-per-view event of the new year in defense of his 135-pound gold. The Georgian entered UFC […]

UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili may be known for his cardio, but one analyst has pointed to another attribute as being his most important.

Dvalishvili opened his account for 2025 in style this past weekend, co-headlining the very first pay-per-view event of the new year in defense of his 135-pound gold.

The Georgian entered UFC 311 as an underdog, with many backing undefeated challenger Umar Nurmagomedov to become the latest from his team to secure championship glory.

That script wasn’t followed by “The Machine,” however, as he lived up to his moniker by putting a relentless pace on Nurmagomedov through rounds three, four, and five to overcome a strong start from the Russian and get the nod on all three scorecards.

In the aftermath, Dvalishvili’s engine has unsurprisingly been the main talking point and leading point of praise directed at the champ. But one ex-fighter has highlighted a different skill while identifying the Georgian’s greatest strength.

“I attribute a lot of Merab’s success to his — which is a skill in itself, it’s an underappreciated skill in itself — and that is his ability to stay comfortable at all times,” Din Thomas said during an episode of MMA Today on SiriusXM. “Nothing makes him uncomfortable. Like, missing a shot? ‘I don’t care.’ Losing two rounds in the beginning? ‘I don’t care.’

“Nothing makes him panic and he still keeps the same pace. Nothing breaks him,” Thomas continued. “That is a remarkable skill, and I think that’s his biggest strength. It’s not his cardio. I think his ability to just stay focused on task and remain comfortable while he’s doing it is his greatest asset.”

Nurmagomedov has questioned the result in the aftermath. Regardless, he’ll need to bounce back next time out and begin the road toward earning a second title opportunity on MMA’s biggest stage.

For Dvalishvili, on the other hand, Saturday’s result ensured that his reign got past its first hurdle four months on from his crowning at the expense of Sean O’Malley.

“The Machine” is now targeting an incredibly active year, with his next defense potentially coming in the year’s second quarter.

Beating Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Easier Than Expected’ At UFC 311, Says Merab Dvalishvili’s Coach

The coach of Merab Dvalishvili expected the UFC bantamweight champion to face more adversity when sharing the Octagon with Umar Nurmagomedov. The pair collided in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, which marked the MMA leader’s very first numbered event of 2025. Their co-headliner went the distance and collected Fight of […]

The coach of Merab Dvalishvili expected the UFC bantamweight champion to face more adversity when sharing the Octagon with Umar Nurmagomedov.

The pair collided in the co-main event of this past weekend’s UFC 311 pay-per-view, which marked the MMA leader’s very first numbered event of 2025.

Their co-headliner went the distance and collected Fight of the Night honors, with defending champ Dvalishvili ultimately emerging with his hand raised and the 135-pound gold still in his possession.

While the Dagestani challenger enjoyed a strong start inside Inglewood’s Intuit Dome, the Georgian’s renowned pace and cardio ultimately proved to be the difference across the final three rounds.

Though he’d have no doubt expected that to be the case, one of the champ’s coaches admitted the victory over Nurmagomedov on Jan. 18 came more comfortably than he had foreseen during a recent appearance on Submission Radio.

“No, (nothing surprised us), not at all,” Syndicate MMA’s John Wood said. “He did what I thought he would do, and maybe he broke his hand in the first round, maybe he didn’t, who knows. I don’t think a broken hand affects your cardio from the last I checked. I don’t think your hand and your lungs are connected, so I don’t think that played into anything. And who cares? It’s a fight, that’s what happens.

“If anything, the only thing I’d say is it was maybe easier than expected,” Wood continued. “That’s not being disrespectful (to Nurmagomedov), it’s how good Merab is, and I really want people to start noticing that.”

Nurmagomedov evidently sees things differently.

After initially questioning the judges’ scorecards during his Octagon interview, the previously undefeated Russian doubled down on that take in his latest remarks.

He’ll now look to work his way back to a second championship opportunity and the chance to achieve redemption against “The Machine.”

CSAC Releases Fight-Day Weights For UFC 311; Dvalishvili, Moicano, Talbott Among Biggest Changes

Some fighters piled on plenty of pounds between hitting the scale last Friday and making the walk for the UFC 311 pay-per-view on Saturday. The mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV account for 2025 this past weekend in Los Angeles, where Inglewood’s Intuit Dome played host to two championship contests and a host of […]

Some fighters piled on plenty of pounds between hitting the scale last Friday and making the walk for the UFC 311 pay-per-view on Saturday.

The mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV account for 2025 this past weekend in Los Angeles, where Inglewood’s Intuit Dome played host to two championship contests and a host of intriguing matchups.

While facts such as fight-day weights and base purses are rarely seen officially, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) provides more disclosure for events under its jurisdiction.

And amid conversations in the MMA community after the release of payouts for those who competed at UFC 311, there’s a new topic of discussion regarding weight discrepancy.

Renowned MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter shared the figures via CSAC this week, with the most notable increases from weigh-in day to fight night coming from Tagir Ulanbekov, Payton Talbott, Merab Dvalishvili, Raoni Barcelos and Renato Moicano — all of whom weighed 17 percent more a day on from weighing in.

With his 26.8-pound change, Moicano was 3.8 pounds heavier for his unsuccessful title challenger opposite Islam Makhachev in the UFC 311 main event.

The biggest discrepancy, meanwhile, came in the main card middleweight contest between Reinier de Ridder and Kevin Holland. With a 15 percent increase, the Dutchman boasted a 21.6-pound advantage over “Trailblazer,” who gained just 4 percent post-weigh-in.

Second in that regard was the gap between Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka. “Sweet Dreams” took to the cage 13.6 pounds heavier than his fellow former champ, who ultimately emerged victorious after knocking the American out in round three.

CSAC Releases Fight-Day Weights For UFC 311; Dvalishvili, Moicano, Talbott Among Biggest Changes

Some fighters piled on plenty of pounds between hitting the scale last Friday and making the walk for the UFC 311 pay-per-view on Saturday. The mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV account for 2025 this past weekend in Los Angeles, where Inglewood’s Intuit Dome played host to two championship contests and a host of […]

Some fighters piled on plenty of pounds between hitting the scale last Friday and making the walk for the UFC 311 pay-per-view on Saturday.

The mixed martial arts leader opened its PPV account for 2025 this past weekend in Los Angeles, where Inglewood’s Intuit Dome played host to two championship contests and a host of intriguing matchups.

While facts such as fight-day weights and base purses are rarely seen officially, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) provides more disclosure for events under its jurisdiction.

And amid conversations in the MMA community after the release of payouts for those who competed at UFC 311, there’s a new topic of discussion regarding weight discrepancy.

Renowned MMA reporter Aaron Bronsteter shared the figures via CSAC this week, with the most notable increases from weigh-in day to fight night coming from Tagir Ulanbekov, Payton Talbott, Merab Dvalishvili, Raoni Barcelos and Renato Moicano — all of whom weighed 17 percent more a day on from weighing in.

With his 26.8-pound change, Moicano was 3.8 pounds heavier for his unsuccessful title challenger opposite Islam Makhachev in the UFC 311 main event.

The biggest discrepancy, meanwhile, came in the main card middleweight contest between Reinier de Ridder and Kevin Holland. With a 15 percent increase, the Dutchman boasted a 21.6-pound advantage over “Trailblazer,” who gained just 4 percent post-weigh-in.

Second in that regard was the gap between Jamahal Hill and Ji?í Procházka. “Sweet Dreams” took to the cage 13.6 pounds heavier than his fellow former champ, who ultimately emerged victorious after knocking the American out in round three.