Cory Sandhagen is gearing up for a critical battle at UFC 320 as he prepares to challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship. His preparation is strengthened by training alongside top contenders, including PFL World Tournament finalist Justin Wetzell, a partnership that could prove pivotal in his pursuit of UFC gold.

Training Together Ahead of High-Stake Title Matches

Both Sandhagen and Wetzell face significant title fights in the coming months. Wetzell is set to compete against Marcirley Alves on August 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina, aiming to win the PFL World Tournament bantamweight championship. Meanwhile, Sandhagen is focused on his October 4 matchup at UFC 320, where he seeks to dethrone the unbeaten Dvalishvili.

Wetzell emphasized the value of their training sessions in adapting to Dvalishvili’s style, stating,

“He’s got a great training partner in myself who’s going to help him with Merab’s style,”

—Justin Wetzell, PFL Finalist

He explained the challenge posed by Dvalishvili’s aggressive approach:

“Being on that end, I know it’s not going to be fun because when you’re out there and close that range, he’s very good at attacking you. So after this tournament is over I’m going to be getting back in the gym and I’m going to be using my style to help him.”

Wetzell compared his own fighting strategy to Dvalishvili’s, highlighting shared traits that could help Sandhagen prepare:

“In my opinion it’s very similar to Merab’s it’s got a high cardio base, lots of wrestling, lots of mixing it up. We’re pushing people against the cage and pushing the pace. That’s my style.”

—Justin Wetzell, PFL Finalist

Confidence and Ambitions Fuel Wetzell’s Support for Sandhagen

Wetzell not only aims to claim the PFL bantamweight belt but also feels confident he has what it takes to beat Dvalishvili himself. His goal is to transfer this confidence and experience to Sandhagen’s UFC 320 title push.

“I’ve been saying for years that I actually know I could beat Merab,”

Wetzell shared.

“If I’m on my game, I know I could beat him. So I want to bring that to Cory and help him to prepare and win that belt.”

—Justin Wetzell, PFL Finalist

Looking ahead, Wetzell envisions a unique moment where both he and Sandhagen hold championship belts under the same roof, creating a symbol of their shared success:

“Then at our gym we’re going to have the UFC belt and the first ever PFL 135lb belt in the same place. Bro, that’s going to be so sick… I’ve been laser-focused on the tournament but I want to take some time to decompress after this because I definitely have to give my body a break, I’ll just say that.”

—Justin Wetzell, PFL Finalist

Significance of This Training Alliance for UFC 320

Cory Sandhagen’s training partnership with Justin Wetzell is a strategic advantage as he prepares to face one of the most dominant bantamweight champions in UFC history. Dvalishvili’s high-pressure style and unbeaten streak have made him a formidable opponent, but Sandhagen’s access to training insights from a fighter whose style closely mirrors that of the champion could enhance his chances significantly.

As Sandhagen looks toward UFC 320 in October, his collaboration with Wetzell not only boosts his physical readiness but also his strategic approach. Should both fighters succeed in their respective title events, they would mark a historic moment for their gym and careers. This partnership could become a blueprint for future training innovations in high-level MMA preparation.