Hold on to your seats, fight fans, because the MMA world is buzzing with controversy after Cory Sandhagen’s recent comments about Merab Dvalishvili’s record-breaking performance at UFC 320. But here’s where it gets controversial... Was Merab’s historic 20 takedowns a masterpiece of strategy or just a ‘gamey’ way to rack up points? Let’s dive in.
It’s been exactly 10 days since UFC Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili etched his name into the history books by tying the record for most consecutive 135-pound title defenses. On October 4, 2025, inside the electric T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Dvalishvili dominated Cory Sandhagen en route to a unanimous decision victory. The win wasn’t just a title defense—it was a statement, capped by an astonishing 20 takedowns that set a new single-fight record in the division. And this is the part most people miss... While the stats are undeniable, Sandhagen has since sparked a fiery debate about the quality of those takedowns.
In a post-fight interview with Ariel Helwani, Sandhagen, ever the gracious competitor, initially praised Dvalishvili’s performance. But when pressed about the takedown record, ‘The Sandman’ didn’t hold back. ‘The 20 takedowns is kind of funny to me,’ he said. ‘If you watch the fight, you’re not going to be like, ‘Wow, Merab’s wrestling was super impressive.’ Why? Because, as Sandhagen pointed out, ‘what’s a takedown without any control?’ He likened the takedowns to ‘mat returns,’ suggesting they were more about scoring points than inflicting damage or dominating the fight. Bold claim, right? But is he onto something, or is this just sour grapes from a fighter who came up short?
Sandhagen doubled down, explaining that Dvalishvili’s relentless body locks and mat returns, while effective for the judges’ scorecards, didn’t translate into meaningful control or damage. ‘It’s a gamey way to win,’ he said, implying that Merab prioritized strategy over substance. But let’s not forget—Dvalishvili imposed his will for five grueling rounds, nearly finishing Sandhagen in the second round, and walked away with another dominant title defense. So, who’s right here?
Here’s the kicker: Sandhagen isn’t discouraged. Despite this being his second failed bid for the belt, the 33-year-old contender is already eyeing a return in early 2026, with former champion Sean O’Malley in his crosshairs. O’Malley, too, seems eager for the matchup, setting the stage for another blockbuster fight. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s circle back to the debate: Are takedowns without control truly ‘gamey,’ or are they a legitimate strategy that deserves respect? What do you think? Is Sandhagen downplaying Dvalishvili’s achievement, or does he have a point about the nature of MMA takedowns? Sound off in the comments—this is one discussion you won’t want to miss!
