In the UFC 320 co-main event, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili faced Cory Sandhagen for the third time in 2025. Sandhagen had fought for interim titles in the past, but on Saturday he was going up against one of the best 135-pound fighters in UFC history. At first, the champion tried to get inside, where he could unleash his machine-like wrestling. But Sandhagen kept Dvalishvili at bay with his jab and length. Still, Merab was able to get inside and lock his body. He would finally get Sandhagen down, but it would take some work. And back on his feet, Sandhagen was able to keep Dvalishvili at bay with some sharp strikes. The challenger would throw a jump knee at the end, but it missed by a hair. Sandhagen's team told him to push the champ between rounds. But it was Dvalishvili who went out, caught a leg, and tried to take him down early in the second. Sandhagen fought it off, but Merab wouldn't let go. Dvalishvili ultimately knocked the challenger down again, but Sandhagen immediately got back up. Merab, on the other hand, rediscovered his range and started hitting Sandhagen hard little under two minutes into the round. Sandhagen was hurt and on his knees, taking punch after punch, but he somehow got back up. He got back up, but he still ate a knee and was dragged to the ground again. Back up, then down again, then back up again, and finally down again. Sandhagen was hurt and now the champion was throwing him around like a rag doll. A near-finish for Merab in round two and several takedowns made it a 10-8 round. Cory Sandhagen had no response for the champ and basically no offensive. At the start of round three, Sandhagen was moving forward, but Dvalishvili got a body lock in place in less than a minute. He wouldn't finish the takedown, but he would be back in on another one soon. Sandhagen was still doing well on his feet, but as he tried to kick, Dvalishvili went for a high-crotch single leg takedown. For most of the round, Sandhagen was on the defense. He stayed standing, but he had lost the frame. Dvalishvili looked like the fresher boxer as the championship rounds started. He worked on his hands, threw a high kick, and within a minute had Sandhagen on his knees. He hit a kick with his right hand and then caught a leg. Sandhagen was beginning to seem a little lost. He looked like he spent more time hopping on one foot than standing on both feet. Merab was the one who was really pushing the action, though. The champion would end the round with a critical takedown, putting Sandhagen's neck in a d'arce and keeping him there. Cory Sandhagen had to finish the fight in the fifth round to have a chance at winning his first UFC title. But Merab Dvalishvili still looked as fresh as a daisy. Unstoppable on the feet and in control of the grappling exchanges. Cardio unmatched, Merab was smirking at times during the round. At one point, he had Sandhagen down, but Cory usually stayed out of trouble by clutching the rail with his toes. With just over 90 seconds left, Sandhagen ripped the body, but Dvalishvili quickly got another takedown, this time well from the fence. Sandhagen was flat on his back and tired, with bruises around his eyes. He'd get back up and even hit the champ one last time, but it wasn't enough to change anything. The UFC says that Merab Dvalishvili's twenty takedowns in the fight set a new record for a championship contest.