Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen chose to postpone his honeymoon to attend UFC 316, where Merab Dvalishvili successfully defended his title against Sean O’Malley. Sandhagen’s decision highlights his dedication to witnessing the fight live, as he considers his own path toward a championship opportunity.
Sandhagen’s Commitment to UFC 316 Over Personal Plans
After defeating Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines, Cory Sandhagen decided against taking a vacation because he felt he was close to securing a title shot. As a result, he delayed his honeymoon plans to attend the bantamweight championship bout at UFC 316.
Discussing the situation on The Ariel Helwani Show, Sandhagen shared how his wife reacted to this change:
“My wife wasn’t too pumped about that. We had to move everything, but it was my responsibility to change all of the flights, all the hotels, and all of that. I mean, I told her I had to be there. We had literally booked everything, probably a week before everything got announced, and then I was like, hey, we have to change this.” — Cory Sandhagen, UFC Fighter
Although Sandhagen is a seasoned competitor in the bantamweight division, he has yet to earn a championship bout. His recent attempt at UFC 267 ended in a unanimous decision loss to Petr Yan for the interim bantamweight title.
Analysis of Merab Dvalishvili’s Title Defense Against Sean O’Malley
At UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili secured his second career victory over Sean O’Malley with a submission finish, solidifying his reign as bantamweight champion. This win confirmed Dvalishvili’s growing dominance in the division.
Reflecting on the fight during his interview, Sandhagen evaluated the performances of both fighters:
“I kind of thought O’Malley would do a little bit better. He didn’t do so hot… I know the narrative is that he was really off, kind of, it seemed in a lot of areas. He definitely seemed a little off. So, I kind of feel for the dude too… But, it wasn’t definitely the best performance in the world. But Merab looks like he just keeps getting better and better. So, good for Merab too.” — Cory Sandhagen, UFC Fighter
Implications for Sandhagen and the Bantamweight Division
Cory Sandhagen’s choice to prioritize UFC 316 indicates his eagerness to stay involved in the bantamweight title picture. With Merab Dvalishvili reinforcing his position as champion, contenders like Sandhagen will likely continue to pursue opportunities to challenge for the belt.
Sandhagen’s ongoing efforts and observations from fights such as Dvalishvili versus O’Malley contribute to the evolving landscape of the bantamweight division, maintaining high anticipation for upcoming matchups and title defenses.