Tag: ufc 311

Cory Sandhagen Hopes To See Dvalishvili ‘Get Served Up’ At UFC 311: ‘Merab’s Been Talking A Lot’

UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will be backing his most recent opponent when champion Merab Dvalishvili’s first title defense rolls around next month. Dvalishvili will put his 135-pound gold on the line four months on from his crowning, which came at the expense of Sean O’Malley inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past […]

UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will be backing his most recent opponent when champion Merab Dvalishvili’s first title defense rolls around next month.

Dvalishvili will put his 135-pound gold on the line four months on from his crowning, which came at the expense of Sean O’Malley inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past September.

After much discourse regarding his next opponent, and in spite of his preference not to face the challenge of Umar Nurmagomedov, the Georgian will share the cage with the undefeated Dagestani at UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18.

If he’s to maintain his grip on the bantamweight belt and add a successful retention to his reign, “The Machine” must become the first to defeat Nurmagomedov — a feat that the highly regarded Sandhagen most recently failed to accomplish.

During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Sandhagen assessed Dvalishvili’s chances of having his hand raised inside the Intuit Dome early next year.

“The Sandman” was honest in stating that he simply doesn’t see a single path to victory for the current champ. And beyond just his prediction, Sandhagen is actually hoping to see Dvalishvili beaten given how the Georgian’s been talking in recent weeks and months.

“I think that Umar will win. I just can’t see a path for Merab to win,” Sandhagen said. “I don’t think that he’s going to be able to strike with him, but I also don’t think he’ll be able to take him down and control him like he was able to do against O’Malley and against other guys. I don’t see a path to success for Merab.

“I think Umar is going to defend those shots, keep it in the striking realm, and just kind of — Umar’s a sniper, man. People don’t realize just how fast that guy is and how his kicks come out of nowhere,” Sandhagen continued. “Fighting a guy like Merab will be a good opportunity for him to show off a little, and just because Merab’s been talking a lot of sh*t, I kinda want to watch Merab get served up a little bit.”

After repeatedly dismissing Nurmagomedov’s title shot worthiness, Dvalishvili has cut a frustrated figure since the matchup was officially announced. He notably laid into the Dagestani during the on-sale press conference in Las Vegas earlier this month, later threatening to “slap” the challenger.

The time for talking will soon be over, with the pair set to co-headline the very first numbered event of 2025.

Cory Sandhagen Hopes To See Dvalishvili ‘Get Served Up’ At UFC 311: ‘Merab’s Been Talking A Lot’

UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will be backing his most recent opponent when champion Merab Dvalishvili’s first title defense rolls around next month. Dvalishvili will put his 135-pound gold on the line four months on from his crowning, which came at the expense of Sean O’Malley inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past […]

UFC bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen will be backing his most recent opponent when champion Merab Dvalishvili’s first title defense rolls around next month.

Dvalishvili will put his 135-pound gold on the line four months on from his crowning, which came at the expense of Sean O’Malley inside the unique surroundings of the Sphere this past September.

After much discourse regarding his next opponent, and in spite of his preference not to face the challenge of Umar Nurmagomedov, the Georgian will share the cage with the undefeated Dagestani at UFC 311 in Los Angeles on Jan. 18.

If he’s to maintain his grip on the bantamweight belt and add a successful retention to his reign, “The Machine” must become the first to defeat Nurmagomedov — a feat that the highly regarded Sandhagen most recently failed to accomplish.

During a recent interview with MiddleEasy, Sandhagen assessed Dvalishvili’s chances of having his hand raised inside the Intuit Dome early next year.

“The Sandman” was honest in stating that he simply doesn’t see a single path to victory for the current champ. And beyond just his prediction, Sandhagen is actually hoping to see Dvalishvili beaten given how the Georgian’s been talking in recent weeks and months.

“I think that Umar will win. I just can’t see a path for Merab to win,” Sandhagen said. “I don’t think that he’s going to be able to strike with him, but I also don’t think he’ll be able to take him down and control him like he was able to do against O’Malley and against other guys. I don’t see a path to success for Merab.

“I think Umar is going to defend those shots, keep it in the striking realm, and just kind of — Umar’s a sniper, man. People don’t realize just how fast that guy is and how his kicks come out of nowhere,” Sandhagen continued. “Fighting a guy like Merab will be a good opportunity for him to show off a little, and just because Merab’s been talking a lot of sh*t, I kinda want to watch Merab get served up a little bit.”

After repeatedly dismissing Nurmagomedov’s title shot worthiness, Dvalishvili has cut a frustrated figure since the matchup was officially announced. He notably laid into the Dagestani during the on-sale press conference in Las Vegas earlier this month, later threatening to “slap” the challenger.

The time for talking will soon be over, with the pair set to co-headline the very first numbered event of 2025.

Arman Tsarukyan Trains With The Only Man To Beat Islam Makhachev Ahead Of UFC 311

Islam Makhachev is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world today for a reason. The UFC lightweight champion was already a dominant grappler but with the improvements that he has shown in his all-round skillset in recent years, he’s the total package. However, unlike his long-time training partner and the former 155-pound king, Khabib […]

Islam Makhachev is the number one pound-for-pound fighter in the world today for a reason. The UFC lightweight champion was already a dominant grappler but with the improvements that he has shown in his all-round skillset in recent years, he’s the total package.

However, unlike his long-time training partner and the former 155-pound king, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Makhachev has had several tough fights and moments of serious adversity inside the Octagon. One of those difficult tests was against late notice replacement Arman Tsarukyan in 2019 where the Armenian was able to really push the man that many considered to be on his way to being a top contender.

At UFC 311 in January, they will run it back for the lightweight gold in Los Angeles and in order to help him prepare, the challenger has brought in another man that caused Makhachev some serious problems. Through 27 pro fights, the current champion has only ever tasted defeat once.

In his second fight with the promotion at UFC 192 in 2015, he was knocked out in the first round by Brazil’s Adriano Martins who at the time, had 22 more pro fights on his record. After Makhachev missed a big overhand left, Martins countered with his own and dropped the Russian with the referee immediately stepping in.

Following back-to-back losses to Leonardo Santos and Kajan Johnson after this win, Martins was cut from the UFC, ending his run in the promotion with an overall record of 4-3. In March this year, he defeated Donovan Desmae to snap a run of six fights without a win that dated back to his final UFC fights.

He’s now set to return to the cage later this month but before then, Tsarukyan looked to engage in a bit of mental warfare with his next opponent by sharing a gym photo of him and the only man to defeat Makhachev.

Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy

Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s LegacyBeating Islam Makhachev isn’t just about winning the UFC lightweight world title for Arman Tsarukyan. It’s about beating the…

Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy

Beating Islam Makhachev isn’t just about winning the UFC lightweight world title for Arman Tsarukyan. It’s about beating the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

After coming up short against the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in his promotional debut five years ago, Tsarukyan will get another crack at Makhachev when the two headline UFC 311 on Saturday, January 18 in Inglewood, California.

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It’s a fight that’s been a long time coming for Tsarukyan, and like any title opportunity, ‘Ahalkalakets’ is admittedly feeling some pressure. But it’s not just the typical pressure that comes with fighting a world champion. Instead, it feels like Tsarukyan will also be going up against the man who will be in Makhachev’s corner come fight night.

“It’s gonna give me more energy because it’s kind of like, if I beat Islam, it’s like beating Khabib’s team, you know,” Tsarukyan said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I watched all Khabib’s fights. And, for me, he’s the GOAT in our division right now.”

Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev have won a combined 18 straight fights going into UFC 311

Since losing his UFC debut against Makhachev, Tsarukyan has gone 9-1 inside the Octagon with his most recent victories coming via a 64-second knockout of Beneil Dariush and a split-decision W over former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

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For Makhachev, it will be his fourth time defending the 155-pound crown. Initially, Nurmagomedov’s protege earned back-to-back wins over former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski before landing a fifth-round submission victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

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Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy

Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s LegacyBeating Islam Makhachev isn’t just about winning the UFC lightweight world title for Arman Tsarukyan. It’s about beating the…

Arman Tsarukyan on the Pressure of Beating Islam Makhachev: It’s Beating Khabib Nurmagomedov’s Legacy

Beating Islam Makhachev isn’t just about winning the UFC lightweight world title for Arman Tsarukyan. It’s about beating the legacy of Khabib Nurmagomedov.

After coming up short against the ‘Dagestani Destroyer’ in his promotional debut five years ago, Tsarukyan will get another crack at Makhachev when the two headline UFC 311 on Saturday, January 18 in Inglewood, California.

Islam Makhachev vs Arman Tsarukyan Poster 819x1024 1

It’s a fight that’s been a long time coming for Tsarukyan, and like any title opportunity, ‘Ahalkalakets’ is admittedly feeling some pressure. But it’s not just the typical pressure that comes with fighting a world champion. Instead, it feels like Tsarukyan will also be going up against the man who will be in Makhachev’s corner come fight night.

“It’s gonna give me more energy because it’s kind of like, if I beat Islam, it’s like beating Khabib’s team, you know,” Tsarukyan said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “I watched all Khabib’s fights. And, for me, he’s the GOAT in our division right now.”

Arman Tsarukyan and Islam Makhachev have won a combined 18 straight fights going into UFC 311

Since losing his UFC debut against Makhachev, Tsarukyan has gone 9-1 inside the Octagon with his most recent victories coming via a 64-second knockout of Beneil Dariush and a split-decision W over former lightweight titleholder Charles Oliveira at UFC 300.

gettyimages 2148561056 612x612 1

For Makhachev, it will be his fourth time defending the 155-pound crown. Initially, Nurmagomedov’s protege earned back-to-back wins over former featherweight king Alexander Volkanovski before landing a fifth-round submission victory against Dustin Poirier at UFC 302.

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Renato Moicano Admits Disappointment At Beneil Dariush Matchup: ‘I Don’t Think It’s What I Deserve’

At UFC 311, Renato Moicano will look to earn the biggest win of his career by extending his current winning streak to five. “Money” has been on a great run of form since beating Brad Riddell in 2022, stopping Benoit Saint Denis in Paris last September to make a real dent in the lightweight rankings. […]

At UFC 311, Renato Moicano will look to earn the biggest win of his career by extending his current winning streak to five. “Money” has been on a great run of form since beating Brad Riddell in 2022, stopping Benoit Saint Denis in Paris last September to make a real dent in the lightweight rankings.

On his return at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, he will face UFC veteran and 155-pound staple, Beneil Dariush. The #9-ranked contender may be coming off of back-to-back first round knockout losses but suffering setbacks to Charles Oliveira and Arman Tsarukyan aren’t major red flags.

This is especially true considering that his loss to Oliveira at UFC 289 broke his eight-fight winning streak which put him within reach of a title shot if he was able to get past “Do Bronx”. With Moicano being one spot behind him in the top 15, it seems that the Brazilian isn’t overjoyed about this particular matchup.

Considering that he already has wins over two other ranked opponents, it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Moicano take on a much higher ranked contender next time out though that’s usually easier said than done when it comes to everything falling into place.

Though he isn’t going to let it affect his preparations and mindset, he was very open and honest during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show. Moicano often jokes about wanting easy money instead of tough opponents and clearly he considers Dariush someone that falls into the latter category.

“Dariush, he’s a tough fighter. That is not what I was expecting and I don’t think it’s what I deserve, but who gives a f***. It’s a fight. Anything can happen and I don’t care who I’m fighting. I just have to be competitive and keep showing up.”