Could Cory Sandhagen be Merab Dvalishvili's kryptonite? Breaking down a potential fight between them

Merab Dvalishvili pulled off one of his most impressive wins at UFC 316 with a submission victory over Sean O’Malley. With this win, he extended his unbeaten run to 13 fights. Having defeated a lot of top names in the division,, only Cory Sandhagen stands out as the next worthy challenger.

The dynamic striker has clawed his way back into the mix with impressive wins over Marlon Vera, Rob Font, and Deiveson Figueiredo. Given Dvalishvili’s pace and wrestling pressure, against Sandhagen’s slick, versatile striking and evolving ground game, this matchup promises to be an intriguing clash. So let's explore if Sandhagen could crack 'The Machine'?

---

Exploring the potential Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen clash

On paper, this is a classic high-output wrestler vs. dynamic striker battle. Merab Dvalishvili lands an eye-popping 5.84 takedowns per 15 minutes with 35 percent accuracy, backed by an 82 percent takedown defense.

His striking is improving but remains functional in the sense that he lands 4.31 significant strikes per minute with 42 percent accuracy while absorbing just 2.48 per minute. His gas tank is his biggest weapon, capable of maintaining an exhausting pace over five rounds.

Cory Sandhagen, meanwhile, brings a contrasting style. He lands 5.06 significant strikes per minute with 45 percent accuracy and absorbs more at 3.34 per minute. However, he does so with constant movement, angles, and switch stances.

His takedown numbers (1.28 per 15 minutes, 34 percent accuracy) do not stand out, but his 63 percent takedown defense has improved. Importantly, Sandhagen’s frame (5'11" with a 70-inch reach) gives him a size and reach advantage over the 5'6", 68-inch reach Dvalishvili.

Recent fight history adds depth to the story. Dvalishvili’s back-to-back wins over O'Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov showed improved top control and submission hunting. Sandhagen, on the other hand, has evolved into a smarter, more measured fighter since his losses to Petr Yan and T.J. Dillashaw.

The key stat in this fight may well be the takedown exchanges. If Sandhagen can stuff enough attempts or threaten the Gerogian with submission off his back, he could force Dvalishvili into prolonged striking exchanges. Conversely, if Dvalishvili gets inside repeatedly, Sandhagen may be stuck fighting off his back, where he has been less effective against elite wrestlers.

---

How would the Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen matchup play out?

This could be one of the trickiest stylistic matchups Merab Dvalishvili will face in his title reign. Sandhagen’s length, footwork, and timing make him an elusive target. His switch stance game and variety of attacks with knees, spinning strikes, and body shots could very well disrupt Dvalishvili’s rhythm and punish entries. Moreover, Sandhagen’s improved grappling and composure in scrambles offer hope that he can survive the early takedown storm.

However, Dvalishvili is relentless and very few fighters on the UFC roster match his cardio and chain wrestling. Even in fights where his first or second takedown fails, he keeps pressing, wearing opponents down. Against Sandhagen, his ability to pressure without fading will be crucial, as Sandhagen tends to find openings as fights progress.

In short, Sandhagen poses unique problems for the champion but until proven otherwise, Dvalishvili’s motor, wrestling, and durability make him the man to beat at 135.