Merab Dvalishvili Outpoints Cory Sandhagen to Retain UFC Bantamweight Title at MSG

On December 6, 2025, Madison Square Garden in New York City hosted UFC 326: Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen, where Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili defended his UFC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory (49-46, 48-47, 49-46) over Cory Sandhagen in a five-round war. Dvalishvili, the Georgian wrestling juggernaut, controlled 14:20 of the fight with relentless takedowns and ground pressure, landing 72 of 128 significant strikes (56% accuracy) to outwork Sandhagen’s creative striking. Sandhagen, the American kickboxing wizard, landed 68 of 135 strikes (50%) and stuffed 8 of 14 takedowns, but couldn’t overcome Dvalishvili’s pace, dropping to 17-5. The 20,000-strong crowd, a sold-out sea of flags and fight fans, roared as Dvalishvili’s cardio prevailed, chanting “Me-rab!” in the world’s most famous arena. Airing live on ESPN+ PPV at 10:00 p.m. ET, this headliner, part of a card featuring Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera 3, delivered a Fight of the Year candidate, with X posts like @UFC tweeting, “Dvalishvili’s a cardio king—Sandhagen pushed him to the limit!” This fourth defense of 2025 solidified Dvalishvili as bantamweight’s iron man while keeping Sandhagen in the title picture.

Fight Overview

The Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen main event anchored UFC 326’s main card, a 12-fight pay-per-view event with prelims at 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and the main card at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Slated for 10:00 p.m. ET, the five-round bout was Dvalishvili’s fourth title defense since winning the belt in 2024, with the winner eyeing a potential superfight against flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja. Dvalishvili, the -175 favorite (BetMGM), entered with a 10-fight win streak, while Sandhagen, at +150, aimed to reclaim gold after his 2023 interim loss. X hype was electric, with @MMABuzzX tweeting, “Merab’s wrestling vs. Cory’s creativity—MSG’s gonna explode,” and @CageVibeX predicting a “decision or late sub grinder.” Madison Square Garden’s 20,000 fans, fueled by NYC’s fight-week festivities like fan expos at Javits Center and Times Square watch parties, created a deafening atmosphere. Fan predictions split 55% for Dvalishvili’s control and 45% for Sandhagen’s upset, per @SkyBet polls, with the bout billed as a clash of styles in bantamweight’s golden era.

Merab Dvalishvili: The 34-year-old from Tbilisi, Georgia, entered with a 19-4 record (12-1 UFC), including 3 knockouts and 1 submission. At 5’6” with a 68-inch reach, the orthodox fighter’s 6.8 takedowns per fight and 5.2 significant strikes per minute (UFC Stats) define his pressure wrestling. His 2025 decision over Petr Yan showcased his cardio, landing 58% of strikes. Trained at Serra-Longo Fight Team, X clips show Dvalishvili drilling chain wrestling with Aljamain Sterling. @MMAJunkie notes, “Dvalishvili’s the division’s engine—unstoppable pace.”

Cory Sandhagen: The 33-year-old from Aurora, Colorado, carried a 17-4 record (10-3 UFC), with 7 knockouts. At 5’11” with a 70-inch reach, the orthodox striker’s 5.8 significant strikes per minute and 60% takedown defense (UFC Stats) highlight his unorthodox style. His 2025 KO of Rob Font marked his resurgence. Training at Elevation Fight Team, X footage shows Sandhagen sharpening knees with Justin Gaethje. @BetsMMAX tweets, “Sandhagen’s +150 odds scream value—his range could frustrate.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The MSG crowd roars as Dvalishvili opens with a low kick, pressuring Sandhagen against the cage. Sandhagen counters with a flying knee, but Dvalishvili shoots for a double-leg at 1:20, securing control for 2:30 and landing elbows. Sandhagen scrambles up, landing a spinning back fist, but Dvalishvili’s volume edges it, landing 15 of 28 significant strikes to Sandhagen’s 12 of 25 (UFC Stats). @UFC scores it 10-9 Dvalishvili, tweeting, “Merab’s pressure sets the tone early.”

Round 2: Sandhagen starts sharper, landing a question mark kick at 0:45, but Dvalishvili absorbs it, clinching for a takedown at 1:50. Dvalishvili controls for 2:00 with ground-and-pound, though Sandhagen threatens a guillotine. Dvalishvili lands 14 of 26 strikes to Sandhagen’s 16 of 32. @CagePulseUFC calls it 10-9 Sandhagen, noting, “Cory’s creativity shines, but Merab survives.”

Round 3: Dvalishvili ups the pace, landing a body lock takedown at 1:00, controlling for 3:10. Sandhagen defends submissions, but Dvalishvili’s elbows open a cut. Dvalishvili lands 16 of 28 strikes to Sandhagen’s 10 of 22. @SherdogX scores it 10-9 Dvalishvili, tweeting, “Merab’s cardio is insane—MSG feels it.”

Round 4: Sandhagen presses, landing a head kick, but Dvalishvili’s single-leg at 1:30 grounds the fight. Dvalishvili transitions to mount, landing heavy shots. Dvalishvili lands 14 of 25 strikes to Sandhagen’s 15 of 30. @UFC_CA scores it 10-9 Dvalishvili, tweeting, “Merab’s breaking him down.”

Round 5: Both exhausted, Sandhagen lands a flurry, but Dvalishvili clinches for a final takedown at 2:00, controlling to the bell. Dvalishvili lands 13 of 21 strikes to Sandhagen’s 15 of 26. Judges score 49-46, 48-47, 49-46 for Dvalishvili. @BoxingScene confirms, “Merab’s a decision machine!”

Key Moments and Impact

• Dvalishvili’s Takedowns: His 6 takedowns and 14:20 control time wore Sandhagen down, landing 72 of 128 significant strikes (56%) to Sandhagen’s 68 of 135 (50%). @MMAVibeX tweeted, “Merab’s wrestling is suffocating—title retained.”
• Sandhagen’s Second-Round Kick: His question mark kick showed brilliance, with @BetsX365 noting, “Cory nearly stole a round.”
• Third-Round Cut: Dvalishvili’s elbows shifted momentum, per @FightFanX: “Merab’s ground-and-pound was brutal.”
• Fan Reaction: MSG’s 20,000 fans chanted for Sandhagen’s heart, with X splitting 60% for Dvalishvili (@UFC_Brazil: “Merab’s the king”) and 40% for Sandhagen (@showtimebets67: “Cory’s a warrior”).

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

In his post-fight interview with Joe Rogan, Dvalishvili called out Alexandre Pantoja, saying, “Flyweight next—two-division champ!” His 13th UFC win, including a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, cements him as bantamweight’s top star. His 6.8 takedown average and 56% striking accuracy highlight his dominance, though Sandhagen’s kicks tested his chin. @TheAthleticMMA: “Dvalishvili’s the division’s iron man.”

Sandhagen, gracious in defeat, told ESPN, “Merab was better tonight—I’ll regroup.” His fifth loss (17-5) keeps him top-3, with X suggesting a rebound vs. Sean O’Malley. @maniacbetsmma: “Sandhagen’s still elite—needs wrestling tweaks.” Bantamweight remains stacked, with O’Malley and Henry Cejudo lurking.

Event Context and New York Atmosphere

UFC 326 dazzled with O’Malley’s TKO of Vera and a submission by Shavkat Rakhmonov. Prelims featured a KO by Muhammad Mokaev. MSG’s 20,000 fans, amid Javits expos and Times Square parties, created electric vibes. @UFC tweeted, “NYC brings the heat!” 65% finish rate and ESPN+ PPV success marked a classic.

What’s Next?

Dvalishvili eyes Pantoja in a superfight at UFC 330; Sandhagen faces O’Malley in February. Dvalishvili’s decision cements his reign, with champ-champ dreams next.

Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen on December 6, 2025, saw Merab Dvalishvili outpoint Cory Sandhagen via unanimous decision, his wrestling control and 56% striking accuracy dominating the title bout. MSG’s electric roar and stacked card amplified the stakes. As Dvalishvili hunts flyweight and Sandhagen rebounds, this defines bantamweight’s future.