Merab Dvalishvili has had a target on his back since before he was UFC champ.
Three title fights into his career, the UFC Bantamweight Champion is being considered as the greatest bantamweight of all time. Dvalishvili successfully defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov in January and Sean O’Malley last weekend in the main event of UFC 316.
Dvalishvili improved his win streak to 13 with a third-round submission of O’Malley, leaving many to wonder if there’s anybody out there that can break ‘The Machine’.
Cory Sandhagen is up for the challenge. The #4 UFC Bantamweight is more than likely Dvalishvili’s next opponent after the champion deemed him the ‘most deserving’ contender at UFC 316.
Dvalishvili’s been a name on Sandhagen’s hit-list for a while now.
Cory Sandhagen issued a cheesy call-out of Merab Dvalishvili after beating Chito Vera
In March 2023, Sandhagen put together back-to-back wins with a decision victory over Chito Vera in the main event of UFC San Antonio.
At the time, Aljamain Sterling ruled over the division and was set to fight a returning Henry Cejudo. Instead of asking for a title shot in his post-fight interview, Sandhagen called for Dvalishvili, who was fresh off his ninth-straight win over former champion Petr Yan.
“I would feel so slimy if I asked for a title shot before Merab,” Sandhagen said at UFC San Antonio.
“Merab is an absolute animal. I respect him a ton. I want that number one spot.
“I got a line. It’s a little embarrassing. It’s not too bad…
“Merab, you’re hungry? Well, I got something for you to eat, and it don’t taste good!” Sandhagen called out Dvalishvili while he was in attendance cageside.
Henry Cejudo backs Cory Sandhagen to dethrone bantamweight ‘GOAT’ Merab Dvalishvili
Sandhagen is an expert tactician in the UFC bantamweight division.
The perennial contender has defeated names like Song Yadong, Frankie Edgar, John Lineker and Mario Bautista. A former foe of Dvalishvili’s, Henry Cejudo, believes Sandhagen’s got what it takes to beat an all-time great like Dvalishvili.
“As much as I compliment Merab, I don’t think he beats Cory Sandhagen,” Cejudo said on the Pound 4 Pound Podcast.
“The person that’s the most problematic for a guy like Merab Dvalishvili, it is Cory Sandhagen because Cory Sandhagen brings a lot more thump than a guy like Sean O’Malley.
“He is a submission threat a lot more than O’Malley and he’s big, bro.
“Cory Sandhagen can get up to his feet. He showed that against a guy like Umar Nurmagomedov. He throws knees up the middle, that he caught Frankie Edgar with. The dude is freaking dangerous all around.
“I have a feeling that the person to really, to potentially get the job done with a guy like Merab [is Sandhagen],” Cejudo added.