Former UFC title challenger claims he has the style to dethrone Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili is the UFC bantamweight champion Photo: Reproduction/Instagram

Former interim title challenger and currently ranked fourth in the bantamweight rankings (up to 61,2 kg), Cory Sandhagen believes he has the 'formula' to end the reign of Merab Dvalishvili in the category.

In a video recently published on his official YouTube channel, the 'Sandman', who is coming off a defeat to Umar Nurmagomedov, Merab's latest victim, believes he has the style needed to neutralize the Georgian and that, even coming off a defeat, he should be next in line.

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“Umar is definitely a good fighter. He beat me. He’s better than me stylistically. That said, styles make fights. If you’re going to be Merab’s opponent, you need to have very, very, very good movement and be able to defend takedowns while conserving energy. He fought O’Malley and won easily, he fought Yan and won clearly, he fought Umar and won clearly. Those are the three guys in front of me. I should be next in line,” he argued.

In Sandhagen's opinion, his high-level movement would be a key factor in dealing with the champion's pace and pressure.

“I think if there’s a style that beats Merab, it’s one that controls space the best. Say what you want about my style, but you have to admit that I probably have the best movement and footwork in the division. I keep space, I close the gap, I distance myself better than anyone in the division, in my opinion. That’s what’s going to beat him. When I get to face him, I’m really excited to see how it goes,” he concluded.