Cory Sandhagen is confronting skepticism head-on as he gears up to face Merab Dvalishvili for the undisputed bantamweight title. The fight is set for October 4 at UFC 320 in Las Vegas, where Sandhagen will attempt to overcome criticism surrounding his chances of winning.

Official Title Fight Announcement and Background

It was confirmed on Tuesday that Sandhagen, with an 18-5 record, will challenge Dvalishvili, who holds a 20-4 record and a 13-fight winning streak. Dvalishvili enters as a clear favorite, having successfully defended his title twice and demonstrating dominance in the division.

Sandhagen’s Response to Critics Through a Viral Skit

In a direct reply to doubters, Sandhagen posted a video on Instagram mocking his online critics. In the skit, Sandhagen plays both himself and an antagonistic troll who confidently declares,

Just want to let you know that you have absolutely no chance to beat Merab.

—Troll

The troll escalates his taunts:

You’re not going to do good. He’s going to win the belt, you’re not going to win the belt, you’re just a stupid boy. … He’s going to whoop you so bad,

followed by chanting, “You’re going to die” and calling Sandhagen delusional.

Sandhagen breaks the taunt with a calm but firm reply:

Just because you haven’t worked hard at something and you don’t need to believe in yourself doesn’t mean that I can’t, alright?

—Cory Sandhagen

After the troll persists, Sandhagen slaps him, causing the antagonist to call for his mother.

Sandhagen’s Career Challenges and Persistence

Sandhagen has been one of the top bantamweights globally but has repeatedly fallen short in number one contender bouts. Past losses to fighters such as Aljamain Sterling, T.J. Dillashaw, Petr Yan, and Umar Nurmagomedov prevented him from securing UFC gold earlier, as all four eventually competed for the title after defeating him.

Now 33 years old, Sandhagen has rebounded by winning four of his last five fights. His most recent victory over Deiveson Figueiredo in May secured his position as the next challenger against Dvalishvili.

Implications of the Upcoming UFC 320 Bout

This matchup will test Sandhagen’s resilience and determination to finally capture the UFC bantamweight title. With Dvalishvili favored due to his winning streak and previous defenses, Sandhagen’s victory would mark a significant upset in the division. The fight’s outcome will influence the future rankings and trajectories of both fighters in the bantamweight class.