Merab Dvalishvili UFC 320 Exclusive: I’m ready for 5 Rounds of Hell, are You Ready to watch?

October 4 brings the fans of MMA a brand new big “numbered” event when UFC 320: Ankalaev vs Pereira 2 takes place. There are 11 bouts spread across 3 cards coming at you live from the T-Mobile Arena, Las Vegas, Nevada. The headline fight of the event is a UFC Light Heavyweight Championship rematch between current champion Amagomed Ankalaev and former champion and challenger Alex Pereira. Ankalaev previously defeated Pereira for the championship at UFC 313, and the rematch could mean another title switch between the two. 

More importantly for this exclusive article, the co headline event is another championship bout, this time for the UFC Bantamweight title. Champion Merab Dvalishvili and former interim title challenger Cory Sandhagen face off and could change legacies, champions, and the landscape of the category. As he is their official sports ambassador, Merab Dvalishvili sat down with the online casino and sportsbook Stake for an exclusive deep dive interview to preview the big event. Read on to learn what was said and to see the latest odds for all 11 bouts. 

Stake’s Exclusive Interview with Merab

Stake’s UFC 320 interview with Merab opened up with a question about his bout being a massive one and what the fans could expect from it. “It’s a bantamweight title fight; we always deliver,” said Merab, and continued with some strong praise for his opponent. “Cory Sandhagen is a very talented, high level fighter. He has a dangerous game. He knocks people out with a flying knee spinning back kick. He has a great submission game, like he showed against Bautista.” He has studied him quite well, it seems, but Merab knows his own strength and quality. “I’m only expecting a great fight against him. I’m not overlooking him, it’s going to be a great fight, and MMA fans will have lots of fun because our fight will be lots of scrambling, lots of exchange punches, and a great fight to see.”

Comparing Sandhagen with Sean O’Malley, Stake wanted to know if he expects a similar matchup to their similar dependence on striking. Dvalishvilli had a lot to say, starting with how they are not similar. “No, it’s nothing similar. I fought Sean O’Malley two times, and both fights were totally different. Cory Sandhagen is a different opponent with a different game.” Going into more detail about the title hopeful’s style, he said how “Cory is a dangerous opponent” and that “he has great cardio, good takedown defence.” Scary, for sure, but Merab seems very ready to take him on. “He can take you down and put pressure on you. Even if he takes you down, he can put you in a leg lock. He damaged two guys’ legs, Figueiredo and TJ Dillashaw. He does a flying knee, which knocked out Frankie Edgar. I can go on and on, man. Different fight, nothing similar.” 

Talking about his preparation and training for the big event, Dvalishvili kept it real. “I’m just trying to do my best. I’m trying to focus. It’s a little bit different. The more popular I’m getting, the more friends, the more people trying to call me, the more distractions.” Many forget that it is not easy being famous and successful, as it comes with too much attention and noise. “It’s getting a little bit harder to focus and to train hard. But everything else, I am the same fighter, and I am even more hungry. The only thing that is different is that everybody keeps trying to bother me, and it’s hard to focus. But otherwise, nothing different. I’m training the same way I was before.”

Since the fellow Stake ambassador will be fighting alongside Alex Pereira at UFC 320, he also gave his opinion about the headline bout of the night. “We all know Alex is a great fighter and was a great champion,” said Dvalishvili, “but Ankalaev, we must not forget how good he is, now that he is the champion. It’s going to be a great match, I don’t know who’s going to win, actually.” Not even Merab can predict what could happen. “It’s going to be a very close fight, let’s see. If Ankalaev tries to do wrestling, let’s see how Alex Pereira will defend. Many things will make little changes for this fight, but in the end, I’m excited.”

UFC 320 Odds and Predictions 

Opening Fights Preview

The action at UFC 320 kicks off with a trio of early preliminary bouts, setting the tone for a stacked night of fights. First up in the women’s flyweight division, Venezuela’s Veronica Hardy (9-5-1) meets Guam’s Brogan Walker (8-4) in a matchup with potential ranking ramifications. Both athletes are eyeing entry into the top 15, and Hardy’s edge in experience gives her the favorite odds of 1.17, while Walker is at 5.00.

Next, former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix (20-2) makes his UFC debut in a much anticipated clash with Polish submission specialist Jakub Wiklacz (16-3-2). This battle between two top tier grapplers could shake up the UFC’s deep 135 pound division. Mix enters as the betting favorite at 1.43 odds, while the debuting Wiklacz sits at 2.85.

In women’s bantamweight action, top 5 ranked Macy Chiasson (11-4) faces off against No. 10 Yana Santos (16-8). Both veterans are looking to reestablish themselves in a division lacking clear title challengers. Chiasson carries shorter odds at 1.44, with Santos trailing at 2.80.

Preliminary Card Highlights

The featured prelims include three intriguing matchups across different weight classes. Undefeated Afghan prospect Farid Basharat (13-0) puts his flawless record on the line against dangerous American striker Chris Gutiérrez (22-6-2). While Gutiérrez brings significant UFC experience, oddsmakers favor the unbeaten Basharat at 1.41, with the veteran underdog priced at 2.95.

In middleweight action, Edmen Shahbazyan (15-5) takes on André Muniz (24-7) in a fight that could resurrect one of their trajectories. Shahbazyan, slightly more consistent of late, is the favorite at 1.41, while Muniz trails with 2.95 odds.

Heavy handed middleweight Ateba Abega Gautier squares off against Ozzy Diaz in what promises to be a striking showcase. Gautier is the most heavily favored fighter on the card with steep odds of 1.10, while Diaz is the night’s biggest underdog at 7.20. 

Main Card Spotlight

The UFC 320 main card features two championship belts and high stakes clashes across multiple divisions and is the perfect opportunity to bet on UFC 320. A pivotal middleweight fight between Abusupiyan Magomedov (28-6-1) and Joe Pyfer (14-3) opens the main card. With Pyfer looking to break into the top 10, his recent form has earned him shorter odds at 1.46, compared to Magomedov’s 2.75.

In featherweight action, power punching veteran Josh Emmett (19-5) faces rising prospect Youssef Zalal (17-5-1) in a bout with major divisional implications. Despite Emmett’s experience and ranking (No. 8), Zalal, ranked just below at No. 9, is favored at 1.28, while Emmett is a 3.75 underdog.

Elsewhere in the light heavyweight division, former champ Jiří Procházka (31-5-1) battles surging striker Khalil Rountree Jr. (14-6-1). Known for his unpredictable and chaotic style, Procházka enters as the favorite with 1.55 odds, but Rountree’s recent momentum makes him a live dog at 2.46.

The co main event sees bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (20-4) put his title on the line against the slick and seasoned Cory Sandhagen (18-5). Sandhagen, long considered a top contender, finally gets his title shot but enters as the underdog at 4.20. Dvalishvili, riding a dominant win streak, is strongly favored at 1.24 and should defend his title for the third time.

Headlining the night is a light heavyweight title rematch between reigning champion Magomed Ankalaev (20-1-1) and former titleholder Alex Pereira (12-3). Ankalaev claimed the belt via unanimous decision at UFC 313, and now Pereira looks for redemption. Oddsmakers give the champ the edge at 1.46, with Pereira priced at 2.75.

Merab Dvalishvili’s Past Fights and Results 

After losing his first two fights in the UFC, the future champion went on an unprecedented streak and has had 13 wins since. His last loss came an incredible 7 years ago, and he truly seems not only unbeatable, but untouchable. With October 4 coming, he has a chance to make it 14 in a row and defend his title for the third straight time. Here is a look at all of his bouts in the UFC since his debut: 

Merab Dvalishvili Trivia and FAQs

• When and where was Merab Dvalishvili born?
  He was born on January 10, 1991, in Tbilisi, Georgia, back when it was still part of the Soviet Union.
• What martial arts background does he have?
  He trained in traditional Georgian wrestling (ch’idaoba), sambo, and judo. He holds a black belt in judo and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Matt Serra.
• When did he move to the USA and why?
  He moved to the U.S. at age 21 to pursue his dream of becoming a professional MMA fighter.
• Who are his parents?
  His father is Amiran Dvalishvili, and his mother is Darejan Dvalishvili.
• Is he married or does he have kids?
  Merab is not married and has no known children. He tends to keep his romantic and personal life very private.
• What is his citizenship status?
  He is originally Georgian but became a naturalized U.S. citizen in March 2024.
• What notable achievements has he had in the UFC?
• He is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion (as of September 2024). He defeated Sean O’Malley to win the title and later submitted him in a rematch. He holds one of the longest win streaks in UFC bantamweight history, and he set a record for the most takedown attempts in a single UFC fight, 49 against Petr Yan.
• Which team does he train with?
  He trains with the Serra Longo Fight Team under Ray Longo and Matt Serra.
• What is his nickname?
  He is known as “The Machine” due to his incredible cardio and relentless pace.
• What makes his fighting style unique?
  Merab is known for overwhelming opponents with nonstop pressure, high volume takedown attempts, and suffocating wrestling. His pace is considered one of the best in MMA.
• Is he involved in any philanthropic work?
  Yes. When he won the UFC title, he was awarded 1 million Georgian Lari by the Georgian government. He donated that money to support combat sports programs for youth in Georgia.
• What religion does he follow?
  While he does not publicly discuss his religion much, it is believed he follows Eastern Orthodox Christianity, which is common in Georgia.
• Does his mother watch his fights?
  Interestingly, no. She prefers to pray during his fights instead of watching live. His father, however, is more likely to tune in.
• What kind of jobs did he do before becoming a successful fighter?
  Before making it big in the UFC, Merab worked construction jobs in the U.S. while training and building his career.
• How does he view his Georgian heritage?
  Like most MMA fighters and UFC stars, he is incredibly proud of his roots. Merab regularly carries the Georgian flag during walkouts and views his success as something he shares with his home country.