Cory Sandhagen Explains Callout of 'Perfect Challenge' Merab Dvalishvili | UFC on ESPN 43

UFC on ESPN 43 winner Cory Sandhagen spoke to MMA Junkie and other media post-fight after his split decision victory over Marlon Vera on Saturday in San Antonio.
Full fight recap: mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2023/0...
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#UFCSanAntonio #UFC #CorySandhagen

[@Crispy44652]

Props to Cory for calling out the toughest fight in the division. No one wants that fight outside of him.

[@sith-o-mac]

Ducking O'Malley

[@Sam-ul1cg]

@@sith-o-mac you joking or what?

[@nickwaldman3487]

Love this kid. Scored it 50-45, can see 49-46, but bro, if sandmans wrestling catches up with his striking, BW watch out.

[@likbingchang1945]

True I scored all round for cory

[@manavbhalla2861]

I think his wrestling is okay, not great. It is Chito’s weakness though, and we saw that in the Frankie fight

[@yellowked]

@@manavbhalla2861 Even if his wrestling is not great yet, Cory's improvement in this department certainly is

[@stephenstuckey]

4real, I love how he was able to switch things up and turn into a real MMA match. He's lookin like a complete well rounded fighter out there, not just a dynamic striker. And Chito is my dude, which is why last night was dissapointing.....but I can't be mad. The Sandman is legit as fuck. Such a talent.

[@SaftonYT]

I mean 50-44 is pretty defensible as well.

[@RexxorDDG]

Cory is one of the realest

[@thefatalveli1225]

Facts

[@lurk7411]

Cory fought damn near a perfect fight! It was like watching someone constantly evade a heat seeking missile for 25 minutes!🔥

[@snakethepeg7828]

It was like the Cuban missile crisis🤤

[@smartperson325]

Corey is a beast no one in the division wants to fight Merab after seeing what he did to Yan.

[@theironforce3000]

Aljo don't want it ,so sandman is gonna take it 👊

[@dschoenfeld9277]

The good news is he has a singular goal. Wrestling defense. His movement is already on point and should create a problem for Merab.

[@TheRealAbraxas]

Call me crazy but I think Cory possibly KOs Merab. Merab isn't good at holding people down and Cory is one of the only guys that could keep up with his pace. Merab doesn't have KO power that Cory would have to be mindful of so I could see Cory unleashing his super technical creative striking that he has full force. I think it would be highly competitive though.

[@satvikvinod882]

​@@TheRealAbraxas I'm just scared that Merab is going to spam takedowns on Corey like he did to yama nd corey gasses ( he usually doesn't but Merabs cardio is insane )

[@tobymattana5320]

@@satvikvinod882 Flying knee KO incoming. Similar to Askren/Masvidal.

[@JamesDeCastro]

They way Cory looked today compared to his last fights... WOW. The level of improvement, you'd think he was training on another planet. He's the Exact Definition of MMA Fighter, such a beauty the way he was mixing it up using all the tools.

[@jonnetsunami344]

Well put

[@lesnarbuiltthepyramids3788]

Bro, he is beginning to remind me of Carlos Condit!!!

[@VisceralCarbon]

Corey didn’t really do anything crazy this fight , he has changed but mentally.. he doesn’t hold back anymore in his fights after the aljo loss

[@romanovkazdavicovich3996]

Agreed but Cory looked fantastic against Sadong too

[@civilwarwasaninsidejob7405]

​@JoshuaSmith-wj4jxeverything you are saying is correct, except stating Chito landed lucky shots in the Dom and Frankie fights. No such thing mate. They worked on that exact kick against Dom. They knew if you pressured him against the cage he ducks out to his right to escape. Perfectly executed. Same with Frankie. Realized he left himself open up the middle. These guys don't throw and pray. Theres precision and thought behind what they are doing in there.

[@oparisleclerc]

Cory is keeping it real with everything he says. Zero false bravado, so humble.

[@littlemichaeljr6518]

this is truly the perfect challenge for Cory and definitely his hardest fight yet in modern day. Merab is a beast all around and is definitely the best fighter outside of the two fighters fighting for the title, Aljo and Henry. Merab is a great all around fighter and is hell of a lot tough

[@Adontheimperfectionist]

O'Malley vs Sandhagen would be a Mortal Kombat fight

[@JamesDeCastro]

Imagine these 2 in a Title Fight matchup in 2024.

[@altoidosgood]

Nah, Sandhagen would just wrestle him like he did here.

[@migogogo12gogo4]

@@altoidosgood yea, I know mma math isint a thing, but just based on their striking against Yan I’d say Corey better train wrestling 😂

[@salemsarni-gg7md]

Sandman dismantles him imo especially if he keeps feinting and showing different looks with the TD's

[@Adontheimperfectionist]

I think all of you are wrong and it would be a close fight... O'Malley can grapple as well him and Cory have very similar skill sets

[@Atomic-hm8kd]

Cory is so fuckin cool man, not just his fighting style but his attitude as well👊

[@joebagodonuts8119]

Completely neutralized Chito

[@nasrullahamani3480]

Cory's so humble and genuine, and at the same time, a bad m...r.

[@ryangreen45]

Chito was way overconfident, felt like he gave away first 2 rounds willingly

[@theGreatApe1999]

Right?! I hope he learns and comes back better though cause he’s still one of my favorite fighters

[@koshycheriyan9979]

Chito has always been a slow starter

[@kellyann7997]

Felt like he gave away most of the fight willingly, wasn’t nearly exhausted as he should’ve been after five rounds if he really wanted it. Still great fight

[@theGreatApe1999]

@@koshycheriyan9979 it was a different kind of slow though. Cory even admitted he was surprised at how willing Chito was to just accept the takedowns in the first two rounds

[@t-glock]

Chito fans really came out of fucking nowhere

[@ruimanuelcarvalho3432]

Humble , classy, hardworking, respectful and a great fighter. Big fan of Cody!

[@JayRRR-gb1lo]

Garbrandt is washed bro.

[@MMAKitchen]

Congrats to Sandhagen on his win and upcoming wedding 🎉

[@dusting3625]

I love how I saw Chito stuff ALL week YT, Facebook and obviously the UFC but they pushed him extra hard and Cory stole the show!

[@minteherms6784]

What a performance 🤯 one of the best i did ever see!!! To much information!

[@richardbarton6146]

I Love Cory Sandhagens approach to fighting. He is such a well rounded fighter. Intelligent.

[@thesilenthermit_02]

The definition of a professional MMA fighter

[@bass7100]

Awesome win for Corey.

[@MansManShorts]

Cory is slept on big time. But not for long. Real recognize real.

[@V1KTOR33]

“BRING IT!… nah I’m joking”… that and the call out, Cory is coming into his own and really going to shine I think after this.

[@nickwaldman3487]

Btw, congrats on the wedding bro.

[@documax123]

"At some point, you run into people that want it as much as you, and they have better skills." That's so true. Particularly when the fighting and competition are at the levels these boys are at.

[@plusultrawill3202]

I’m so proud of Cory he keeps getting better and better. His last two fights against Tj Dillashaw and and Petr Yan were really good and close fights. Congratulations on the win, well deserved, God bless you and I hope to see you fight again sir 🥊🥷🏽

[@Hootie22B]

MMA needs more professional people like Cory.. All class !!!

[@randymullins3555]

Cory summed up everything in this post conference...brilliant

[@Cookie-mv4li]

I like this guy Much respect. He’s respectful and he’s honest. Tells you a lot about his character. Respect.

[@danielalves86]

Love this dude!

[@thefatalveli1225]

Cory fan since he survived that armbar, he a cool dude and amazing fighter, but if he fights Merab, it's home team all day 🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪🇬🇪

[@lacosa24x]

We need to fix the judges it’s not fair anymore

[@girldad1920]

Been on the sandwagon from the beginning! 😂 This guy is a class act and true roll model. Hope he can make it to the title someday!

[@MrNothingd]

So true what Cory says..you gotta do more at this top top level because everyone wants it and the TJ fight got him to that mindset. Student of the game A* demeanor 🎯🏆🏅

[@carlosesquivel5103]

Can’t deny, the man wants to EARN that title shot

[@williamboyle8918]

Cory on the way up, good to see

[@2714david]

Close your eyes and listen, this is ginger dominic cruz

[@dschoenfeld9277]

Maybe a little. But Cruz was a total ass clown when he was fighting for real. 😂

[@JayRRR-gb1lo]

dang, I can't unhear it.

[@vaughnordakowski8774]

Omg, "my wife will kill both me and merab," was funny af. A nice little warning to merab to make sure he signs the fight contract ASAP

[@tayaria7280]

Congratulations Cory!

[@bigweiner4208]

Chito was shook when he saw that Corey wasnt being wheelchaired to the octagon from the retirment home like Cruz and Edgar were. He knew he was about to fight a young man and he totally shit his pants and lost miserably. 😅

[@kerlon0412]

song

[@djayburkett4330]

Bring it 😂😂Dude is funny

[@TakeNoPrisoners]

You fought a perfect fight brother

[@spalekralj]

Cory is one of the best fighters in the world and athlete-packages in this business. When I say that I mean - he is such a crazy, dynamic, marvelous striker, simply brilliant. Yet he showcased good wrestling and a very well top control game. Plus, he is respectful, wants to fight EVERYONE is tough, gritty, won't tap to anything (Iuri Alcantara fight) and can talk well, even. Love some Cory Sandhagen, great for the sport!

[@javiervenegas6714]

I don’t see Cory beating Merab or aljo if they rematch again . But respect to him for calling out Merab

[@likbingchang1945]

Who knows cory is still learning

[@javiervenegas6714]

@@likbingchang1945 so are the guys ranked above him.

[@PrideNverDie]

I think he can. He's improved greatly in the grappling department the last two fights.

[@V1KTOR33]

He has a great reach and could easily catch merab coming for a take down. He is also elusive and can obviously go the distance. Would definitely out strike him on the feet. Merab is nasty and no easy task, just my take on cory’s strengths against him.

[@javiervenegas6714]

@@PrideNverDie against no grapplers lol. Aldo out grappled chito too

[@Sdot-od8jf]

I like Cory. He's a true, well-rounded martial artist.

[@anthonyortiz4538]

Cory is soooooo good dude has been a dark knight if this division for a while and I'm happy he's getting recognized more and more dude is the next champ

[@uncledc8455]

This dude is so fucking smart! “As long as I don’t close the distance for him he would have a very hard time landing a big shot” Every fight this dude adds to his game and applies it beautifully.

[@philrisser6853]

hell ya merab VS Sandhagen would be a Acrobatical Dangerous Dance of Art. they both Move so impressively but yesterday Was sandhagens day. Merabs footwork and movement would Match UP incredibly with cory

[@jasonsmithy8472]

huge fan of Cory... true classy pro

[@jolopez6060]

Fuck yeah Corey yours fucking beast proud of you brother

[@StewieLokz3707]

Sandman made it look TOO easy! Good stuff, Cory! 👊💥

[@dwang79]

50 - 45

[@stephenstuckey]

Corey is turning into a complete, well rounded fighter. Such a good job. Chito is my dude man and last night was a tad dissapointing. But I can't be mad. The Sandman is legit as fuck, such a talent.

[@boogyjuggy]

50 - 45 Cory.....Just like i drew it up....a masterclass....total domination......some judges are just dreadful, blind..... back to school Chito....lolllllllllllllllll

[@kraftwork01]

I really love this guy

[@KristBeatz]

Cory could be a great commentator as well.

[@ButtaMOB23]

Smart gameplan for someone as dangerous as Chito. Great fight Cory!

[@JayRRR-gb1lo]

That's something all people doing serious things have to learn at some point: That you're going to come across eventually other people who WANT IT just as badly as you WANT IT.

[@KyrkRTG]

The judge for Cory's fight was awful, but the wild thing is that this was apparently his first event as an official judge. The real question is who the hell in the Texas athletic commission gave the green light for this guy to judge the main event of a card from the largest MMA promotion on his first day on the job? Also the ref (who was coincidentally also a judge for the bad decision of the Barber v Lee fight) should be given a scolding as well for letting Chito illegally kick Cory's head from the ground multiple times without so much as a verbal acknowledgement.

[@jiraiya6630]

cory: i got meat molina: i'm here

[@philrisser6853]

L

[@elic2575]

New fan

[@MMAJesus420]

THE SANDMAN

[@kinggale407]

Dude Cory is fire didn't know much about him before last night as a mma rookie only gotta into it fully over the last 2 years. I think aljo beats him but if he beats merab it's gonna be crazy.

[@andrewnantz9585]

Let's go Cory

[@theoneelvenchild111]

I see him as a future champ he has to just keep grinding and not let anything discourage him.

[@moneymitch8444]

Class act

[@mikebachmann5800]

Damn cory sandhagen is a real one

[@christiantolbert4141]

So solid.

[@gabrielhuereca2504]

" I need a thing I'm too boring" I feel ya Cory

[@AuthenticGook]

Merab just gone spam takedowns against my boy Corey

[@Mr-E.]

I hope they post the scorecards so we can see who the judge was. It almost seems like the judge has some people he knows betting on Chito winning, or the cartel, mafia or someone he owes money to was pressuring him to do it. That seems more likely to me than the judge just being an idiot.

[@fighthive4808]

They literally announced the judge’s name in the cage while reading the scores. Joel Ojeda.

[@voiceofreason1829]

​@@fighthive4808daddy joel

[@tommyq374]

Like the other guy said, they announced it.. Also they do post cards after every fight, you new here?

[@christianmercado3866]

Prove you’re a casual in fewer words next time.

[@dschoenfeld9277]

Definitely a cousin or dare I say some racisms😅. But yeah it was so off it’s hard to believe this “judge” didn’t win a drinking contest to be there😂.

[@TallTee27]

I really had Vera as the next champ, even though I have a shed load of respect for Sandhagen's skill's and ability to take a punch. Cory showed the highest of fighting intelligence last night.

[@alexbarham4417]

Love him

[@theduhscripshunn5476]

As a Suga Sean fan, I gotta say this man was looking like the CHAMP last night !!!!! NOT Aljo, NOT Merab, NOT Suga !!!!

[@gavinmitchell4477]

Point scoring champion of the world. Hit run and wrestle congratulations

[@chrisloboda7331]

fucking love Cory

[@winstonsolomon3242]

One of the best

[@BDAILEY702]

I like this dude. Let’s see if he can get the belt in the near future!

[@icecoldyellowredbull]

love this dude man such a throwback fighter before it got all WWE with paddy connor and that coloring book o'malley

[@machuthemenace6877]

Judge who gave that fight to Marlon Chito is a criminal! Messing with Cory's life!

[@joeybachand29]

cory the man!

[@rickorosario5255]

Corey and Cruz sound the same it’s insane

[@-Denisa-]

Dvalishvili vs Sandhagen🔥🔥..Main event

[@JustAnAmuricanBoy]

By far my favorite fighter

[@sjtdxitditsitdurzirxur5926]

Sandhagen fan, but Merab absolutely demolishes him. Cejudo is the only one that may stop Merab. He runs through everyone else

[@johnhaydu2627]

I had Chito winning 1 round. Cory outclassed him in every area.

[@patrickflug4605]

Not only did Cory out perform Chito in the cage but he responded better to the 3 week change in fight date and location. Trying to peak at the right time.

[@alishanaa9943]

Very likeable guy, was rooting for chito but good for cory!

[@ductritran8637]

49-46 unanimously for Cory Hagen . Judge who give a win for Chito Vera should be sacked , go get a new job . Judge like that ruined fighters life .

[@thegreatnitchi5066]

The Sand-man says " I need a thing...I'm too boring.." I say: " Your THING .... Is beating the S--t outa 99% of your opponents!! You don't have to change anything my brother!! Just keep doing what you do!"

[@Lordthirdd]

corey vs o malley would actually make alot of sense

[@mitchg5809]

“It has to be before September 1st or my fiancée will kill me and merab” hahaha

[@BlackKevin808]

That'll be a fucking banger.

[@Pinpadprompts]

Cory gets wrestled and loses the decision to TJ. He could have whinged about being held against the cage but instead he invested in his wrestling and has used it to win his last two fights. A really strong mentality.

[@tommyq374]

Cory was about to jump the cage and fight that judge when he heard that card

[@jakeharmon8767]

I love being right about predictions. I was correct on this one

[@heresthethingyouguys]

One of the greatest if not the greatest

[@JoeDuffy69s]

Cory's wrestling has improved leaps and bounds in 2 fights. In the Song fight, his wrestling was exhausting and lacked technique. However, in this fight, his technique was great.

[@ctinbogdan6831]

bantam and fly. wow. again stairling, cejudo, murab, sean , even vera.. mokaev , usman nurgomadov khabib , he and cody and , i think usman or umar will be champ like mokaev if he stay calm for that leg and shoulder..

[@douchebagout]

Cory is not boring!