As UFC 320 draws near, Cory Sandhagen has ignited discussion by naming a different champion, not his upcoming opponent Merab Dvalishvili, as the ultimate fighter in the UFC.
This Saturday marks Sandhagen`s pivotal first shot at an undisputed UFC title, an opportunity to seize bantamweight gold four years after his pursuit of an interim belt fell short. His impressive trajectory, highlighted by victories over Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, Rob Font, and Deiveson Figueiredo, has paved the way for this showdown against Dvalishvili, where he aims to inaugurate a new era in the division.
Merab `The Machine` Dvalishvili has cultivated a reputation as an almost unbeatable force, boasting an astonishing 13-fight winning streak that has cemented his place among the bantamweight elite. Yet, despite the Georgian`s unparalleled run in the UFC, Sandhagen does not consider himself to be stepping into the cage with the promotion`s absolute best on October 4.
Sandhagen Names Ilia Topuria as UFC`s Current Top Fighter
During fight week, prior to his intense face-offs with Dvalishvili at both the press conference and ceremonial weigh-ins, Sandhagen engaged in a light-hearted segment with TNT Sports called `The Best`. Among various categories, he was prompted to choose the “best fighter in the UFC right now.”
Rather than using the moment to praise his upcoming opponent, Sandhagen opted for someone well-known to Dvalishvili: Ilia Topuria. Topuria holds the reigning UFC Featherweight Championship, celebrated for his dominant performances within the division.
Topuria claimed the 145-pound title by decisively defeating Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298. This significant win cemented his status as a top contender and a formidable presence in pound-for-pound conversations.
Cory Sandhagen Confident in “Many More Routes to Victory” Over Dvalishvili
Despite Dvalishvili`s remarkable 13-fight winning streak, Sandhagen remains undeterred, confidently stating that the Georgian possesses limited paths to victory at UFC 320. The assertive challenger believes he can neutralize the champion`s primary strengths and intends to overwhelm `The Machine` with his superior striking.
“Unless his striking has gotten a lot better, it’s going to be a really hard night for him,” Sandhagen told UFC.com.
“Not once in a fight have I felt incredibly fatigued the way that I’ve seen some of his other opponents be. Not once in a fight have I been on my back for longer than 10 seconds unless it was something that I was trying to do.”
“So you take those two things off the table, which I’ve proven time and time again that I’m very good at, and Merab doesn’t have a lot of routes to victory, and I have a lot of them,” he added.
“It’s going to be my night. I’m going to be champ.”
