Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen round-by-round updates: UFC 320: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen: Live round-by-round updates

The UFC bantamweight championship will be on the line in the co-main event of UFC 320 as Merab Dvalishvili aims to defend his title against Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili has been on a roll this year, racking up dominant victories through his trademark pressure and wrestling-heavy approach.

His pace, durability, and control have made him one of the most difficult fighters to solve. Now, he looks to secure another defense and cement his reign over one of the UFC’s deepest divisions.

Sandhagen arrives at this fight with the biggest opportunity of his career after an impressive stretch of victories. Known for his diverse striking, movement, and creativity, he brings a style built to challenge Dvalishvili’s forward pressure. Sandhagen has shown the ability to finish fights with both striking and opportunistic grappling.

The clash between Dvalishvili’s grinding style and Sandhagen’s dynamic skillset makes this matchup compelling. If the champion can dictate the pace and drag the fight into his preferred rhythm, another defense is likely. However, if Sandhagen can manage range, keep the fight standing, and punish Dvalishvili’s entries, the title could change hands.

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Don’t miss a moment of UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Oct. 4, 2025. Prelims start at 8 pm ET/5 pm PT, followed by the main card live on PPV at 10 pm ET/7 pm PT.

Stay tuned to Sportskeeda MMA for the live coverage and play-by-play updates of the fight:

Round 1

Sandhagen starts circling around Dvalishvili to nullify the wrestling threats. He pops two jabs and lands a good combination. Dvalishvili steps in to counter with a good combination. Three punch combination lands for Sandhagen. The American lands a good uppercut, and Dvalishvili switches from a single leg to the body lock. Sandhagen does a good job of maintaining his base, and Dvalishvili starts working the knees and thighs. Sandhagen gets back in the striking range and lands a solid leg kick. Sandhagen initiates the body lock now and lands a solid knee. Sandhagen lands a step-in knee and a few jabs.

Our Score: 10-9 Sandhagen

Round 2

Dvalishvili goes for the single leg and high-crotch, but Sandhagen's balance has been brilliant so far. Sandhagen gets out of the body lock and lands a leg kick. Crisp left hook lands for Sandhagen. Dvalishvili swarms in with a wild combination and hurts Sandhagen. He's chasing the finish now, but Sandhagen somehow survives the onslaught. Dvalishvili is chasing the takedown now, landing three in a row. Sandhagen leverages the hip control to get back up, but Dvalishvili is relentless on that takedown pursuit.

Our Score: 10-8 Dvalishvili (19-18 overall)

Round 3

It looks like Sandhagen may have recovered from the onslaught in the second round. Dvalishvili takes Sandhagen's back off a body lock. Sandhagen swings wide with the right hand and lands a body shot. Dvalishvili fires back with a left hook. He shoots for a single leg and gets the body lock. He's beating up Sandhagen's legs, but the American breaks free from the position. Dvalishvili enters with a takedown attempt after landing an overhand right. Sandhagen swarms in for a combination and gets taken down with a single leg from Dvalishvili.

Our Score: 10-9 Dvalishvili (29-27 overall)

Round 4

Sandhagen is struggling to get in range to land a beautiful one-two combination. Dvalishvili shoots for a takedown and gets the body lock again. Sandhagen lands a good body shot, and Dvalishvili fires back with a high kick. Sandhagen lands a good body shot and an overhand right, but fails to keep the pressure on. Sandhagen lands a good right hand and an uppercut. He's finding his range and rhythm now.

Our Score: 10-9 Sandhagen (38-37 overall)

Round 5

Sandhagen invites a wild exchange, and Dvalishvili gets the better of it. He secures the takedown, but Sandhagen gets right back up. Dvalishvili lands a good one-two combination and drills for a takedown against the fence. Sandhagen lands a good right hand, and Dvalishvili fires back. Dvalishvili lands a beautiful takedown and lands a few shots to keep Sandhagen preoccupied. Sandhagen lands a punch and a kick when they break, but Dvalishvili secures the round and the fight.

Our Score: 10-9 Dvalishvili (48-46 overall)

Official Result

Merab Dvalishvili defeats Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision (49-45, 49-45, and 49-46).

About the author

Abhishek Ramadasan Nambiar is a journalist who covers MMA at Sportskeeda. As a long-time practitioner of various martial arts, seeing the fusion of different forms into a quest for the ultimate fighter felt both primal and profoundly technical. At Sportskeeda, Abhishek's primary goal is to offer a fresh and distinctive angle through his writing, aiming to provide readers with more than just the basics of MMA. Along with keeping them informed about the latest developments in the sport, he strives to offer valuable insights that enhance their understanding of MMA.

When not writing about MMA, Abhishek often spends time reviewing music or devouring Brian Evanson's and Blake Crouch's work. Sign up to receive news, regular updates, and exclusive coverage.

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