Merab Dvalishvili is used to not “getting a good shake” with regards to title defenses, which can be why UFC matchmakers are letting the reigning bantamweight champion have management over his subsequent opponent, in addition to his return date.
“The Machine” has already racked up three title fights in lower than a yr.
“That is the primary time UFC referred to as me, after I was in Georgia, and mentioned, ‘Go take pleasure in your nation, have a good time, and once you come to Las Vegas, let’s go to dinner and select who you need to struggle and once you need to struggle,’” Dvalishvili informed MMA Junkie. “I used to be like, ‘Wow.’ I need to struggle quickly. I at all times need to struggle in New York. However Abu Dhabi, I don’t suppose so. I don’t suppose it’s pay-per-view. I believe pay-per-view have to be in Las Vegas in October, after which November (in New York). I reside right here in Las Vegas now, and it’s going to be residence, and it’s going to be straightforward. However I additionally need to struggle in New York.”
Dvalishvili (20-4) referred to as No. 4-ranked contender Cory Sandhagen “essentially the most deserving.”
“I imply, everybody has holes,” Sandhagen informed MMA Junkie Radio. “I’m going to be higher than him, that’s how I’m going to do it. I’m going to exit, and I’m simply going to be higher in all places. I’m not going to be afraid to wrestle him. I’m not going to purchase into this narrative that Merab is that this unbeatable factor. In all of his fights, he’s had moments the place he’s seemed beatable, and I’m going to go on the market and make Merab take care of me.”
Sandhagen (18-5) is coming off a victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines.
“I’m actually good proper now,” Sandhagen added. “I practice rather a lot, man. I practice rather a lot, rather a lot, and that pays off after a very long time. I do know that everybody says they practice rather a lot, however I do know what they imply once they say that, and I do know what I imply after I say it. I practice rather a lot, I’m at all times getting higher, I’m at all times including in new issues. One among my favourite issues in regards to the sport is including new weapons, and I do know not everyone seems to be like that, however I’m constructed that method. So, yeah, I’m pumped. I get to exit and look totally different in six months or each time it’s that we struggle and be one of the best model of myself and a world champ.”
UFC 320 goes down this October in Las Vegas with UFC 321 airing only a few weeks later in Abu Dhabi, adopted by UFC 322 in New York in November.
