October's Big MMA Events 05.10.2025

UFC 320 opens the fight month on Sunday, October 5th with an exciting bantamweight showdown between title defender Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili and challenger Cory "The Sandman" Sandhagen.

Characteristics of the athletes

Merab Dvalishvili (C)
Dvalishvili is known for his strong wrestling skills and impressive stamina. He has the ability to maintain a high pace for 25 minutes and has recently shared training videos on his YouTube channel “Merab Dvalishvili” where he also shows his development in striking.
Dvalishvili has three wins via KO/TKO, one of which in the UFC, and although he is not considered a knockout specialist, he has convinced with his ability to control the fight on the ground. According to official UFC statistics, he has previously defeated all athletes ranked above Sandhagen, which makes this matchup extra relevant.

Cory Sandhagen (#4)
Sandhagen has eight KO/TKO wins and has won four of his last five fights, according to MMA Fighting . He is known for his ability to defend against strong fighters, including rolling out of holds, as shown in his fight against Marlon Vera.
Offensively, he excels at aggressive clinch striking – especially knees and elbows – and has delivered spectacular finishes like the flying knee against Edgar. Sandhagen is technically versatile and has extensive experience against opponents of various styles, but he has previously shown that he can lose momentum towards the end of five-round fights. This makes stamina a key factor, especially against a fighter with Dvalishvili’s constant pressure.

Match analysis and odds

UFC 320 presents a very interesting style showdown, where Dvalishvili's extreme pace and dominance on the ground meets Sandhagen's creative striking. According to the odds, Dvalishvili is the favorite at 1.25 , while Sandhagen is the underdog at 4.30 .

Dvalishvili is a safe bet for those betting on a win at 1.25. Sandhagen's offensive arsenal offers the potential for a surprise knockout victory. To understand why the odds are like this, one must consider Dvalishvili's ability to wear down his opponent through repeated takedowns and control, while Sandhagen has the strength to land unexpected strikes, especially early in the fight when he is healthy.

Sandhagen's striking can challenge Dvalishvili's wrestling style by keeping the fight standing and using his range and variety. If Sandhagen manages to avoid takedowns and apply pressure with quick combinations, he can turn the fight around and threaten Dvalishvili with a finish. This makes the match unpredictable and allows for both tactical and explosive moments.

MMA 05.010.2025: Dvalishvili – Sandhagen: Dvalishvil wins (1.25)