UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili congratulates title aspirant Cory Sandhagen after Des Moines stunner

Merab Dvalishvili had words for future bantamweight challenger Cory Sandhagen after UFC Des Moines (aka UFC on ESPN 67) win this weekend.

UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili congratulates title aspirant Cory Sandhagen after Des Moines stunner

UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili praises Cory Sandhagen after UFC Des Moines (Source: X)

No. #4-ranked UFC 135-pounder Cory Sandhagen bagged and tagged his long-awaited shot to call for a title crack. After the UFC on ESPN 67 card in Des Moines, Sandhagen pitched in to be the official PPV title backup for UFC 316 title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. Concurrently, the champ has taken notice.

Bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili sent out a tease on X early on, saying he’d be keeping an eye on this UFC Des Moines headliner. Although grazing along what was somewhat anticlimactic, Cory Sandhagen punctuated a knee blowout and a second-round TKO over Deiveson Figueiredo. Elevation Fight Team’s ‘Sandman’ might have slid in to secure his first official crack at gold; or did he? The Machine certainly pitched in on it.

CONGRATULATIONS @corysandhagenx.

Merab Dvalishvili via X (@MerabDvalishvil)

Sporting a semi-serious look, a black hoodie, and a baseball cap on the helm, the champ doused a “Good Job, Cory” while watching his post-fight interview. If for nothing, Dvalishvili looked sure with his resolve; why shouldn’t he?

The Georgian ‘Machine’ swiped out previous champ O’Malley easily to win the undisputed gold. Then he took his stiffest challenge against the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov in the UFC 311 PPV co-main event in January. Merab Dvalishvili outpaced and outlasted Young Eagle for unanimous digits of 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46, to prove himself a different breed.

Now, he has the ball on his side and the right to gloat. While a ‘Suga’ PPV title rematch felt more comfortable and familiar, Dvalishvili also wanted a Petr Yan challenge. So, there’s no saying he won’t be open to a Sandhagen challenge in the future as well. With a tease already going, the latter even liked his chances.

Cory Sandhagen ready for title shot, bid for bantamweight title gets a boost with UFC Des Moines win

At UFC Fight Night in Des Moines, Cory Sandhagen, clad in white and blue Venum shorts, lay stretched in a retro-lock on Figueiredo’s left knee. After what transpired in the octagon, the American fighter took pride in putting ‘Deus da Guerra’ in that uncomfortable state and bagging a win.

Cory Sandhagen considers himself very near to realizing UFC gold
Cory Sandhagen considers himself very near to realizing UFC gold (Source: X)

Two-time flyweight champ Figueiredo’s knee popped when he shifted his weight to the right side to adjust to it. Just like that, Sandman came out on top at Wells Fargo Arena and added to his momentum. Sandhagen has secured four of his last five UFC outings.

The Colorado native has had notable wins against Song Yadong, Marlon Vera, and Rob Font before dropping one to Nurmagomedov. Hence, he does not find it far off to be a title backup for Merab Dvalishvili.

Me and my agency are going to talk to [UFC] …o see what’s kind of next; I think I deserve a title shot next regardless, …I think maybe, hit me one time so I showed that I’m better. I showed that I’m the best guy and I deserve to be next…

Cory Sandhagen during UFC on ESPN 67 post-fight fighter interviews

Currently ranked #4 in the UFC at bantamweight, Sandhagen is a scrambler and good at standup, too. He is willing to go toe-to-toe with the best and gun for gold. Sandhagen makes a good point for a title shot, but so does Yan with a better streak [2].

The champ has had his eyes there as well. However, a post-fight $50,000 performance bonus over someone like Figgy does make up for good potential for a title shot. Only time will tell if he can bank on this momentum anytime soon.

Also Read: