The bantamweight title can be on the road within the UFC 320 co-main occasion on Oct. 4 at T-Cellular Enviornment in Las Vegas. Champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on No. 4 ranked Cory Sandhagen in his third title protection.
Dvalishvili will enter the battle as a heavy betting favourite, however is aware of Sandhagen isn’t any straightforward battle.
“I do know lots of people suppose I’ve bought this battle straightforward, however no, positively no as a result of it is a new battle for me. Cory is a harmful opponent. I’ve a lot respect for him as a fighter and human being,” Dvalishvili advised MMAJunkie.
“Cory Sandhagen is a harmful opponent. It is arduous to cease him. He has submission video games. He has knockout video games. He has good cardio, good takedown protection, good footwork, and I can go on and on.”
If issues go as deliberate, Dvalishvili desires to be the primary particular person to cease Sandhagen through knockout.
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“I am on the lookout for a primary knockout as a result of I am engaged on my placing, and we’ll see. I am engaged on my placing and this battle most goes to go on the toes,” stated the champion. “After all I will alternate some punches with him, and that is the purpose, but it surely’s an MMA battle and now we have to be prepared for all the things.”
If he is victorious on Oct. 4, Dvalishvili desires a fast turnaround. He’d prefer to battle once more in December. It could be his fourth title protection this 12 months, and he has an opponent in thoughts.
“I need to ask them (UFC) the favor to battle fourth time this 12 months. If I win. First I’ve to win this battle, and I am very centered as a result of I do not suppose it’ll be a straightforward battle for me,” Dvalishvili stated.
“If I win this battle, I need to come again fast and provides Petr Yan his battle as a result of he is just like the clear contender proper now and he is essentially the most deserving man in my weight class.”
