
Can Anyone Beat Merab Dvalishvili? Joe Rogan Is Skeptical!
2025-06-08
Author: Jacob
After the thrilling UFC 316 event in Newark, New Jersey, renowned commentator Joe Rogan is left questioning the possibility of anyone defeating Merab Dvalishvili. The reigning Bantamweight Champion showcased remarkable improvements in his title rematch against Sean O'Malley, securing his first submission victory in eight years with a stunning North South choke in the third round.
With this win, Dvalishvili extended his impressive winning streak to 13 and is already focused on his next title defense, identifying #4 bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen as the ‘most deserving’ challenger.
Cory Sandhagen: A Tactical Genius But Is It Enough?
Cory Sandhagen, fresh off a TKO victory over former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, has claimed victory in four of his last five fights against top-tier bantamweights like Song Yadong and Chito Vera. However, after witnessing Dvalishvili’s relentless fighting style, Rogan expressed doubt about Sandhagen’s chances.
Rogan praised Sandhagen’s tactical approach, arguing, "He’s going to devise a game-plan that he believes is best to tackle this ‘force of nature’. But can strategy overcome Dvalishvili’s unmatched cardio and wrestling prowess?"
He elaborated, saying, "Everyone gets tired except him. It’s insane. It’s not just hard work; it’s an unexplainable level of dedication. The real question is whether there’s any game plan that could genuinely succeed against him."
What’s Next for Merab Dvalishvili?
Former two-division champion Daniel Cormier weighed in, suggesting that Sandhagen’s versatile fighting style could pose unique challenges for Dvalishvili. Cormier noted, “Sandhagen’s put in the work and could present some issues for Dvalishvili. His ability to switch stances will make it hard for Merab to anticipate and face a traditional look.
As anticipation builds for this potential clash, fight fans are eager to see whether Sandhagen can devise a winning strategy against one of the most dominant champions the UFC has ever seen.