Dvalishvili vows KO of Sandhagen, eyes quick title defense by year-end

Merab Dvalishvili, the UFC bantamweight champion, has vowed to knock out top contender Cory Sandhagen when the two meet in the co-main event of UFC 320 on Oct. 4 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and said he plans to push for another title defense before the end of the year. Dvalishvili made the prediction in a social media video and reiterated his desire for a quick turnaround in an interview, while also reigniting talk of rematches with former foes Umar Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan.

In the video Dvalishvili posted to Instagram, he said, "I'm gonna knock out Cory Sandhagen. I'm sorry Cory, you're going to sleep, baby." The bout is the champion's third defense this year after victories over Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O'Malley, and comes on a card headlined by the light heavyweight rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Dvalishvili is riding a 13-fight win streak and has become known for his relentless pace, wrestling and cardio.

Sandhagen arrives as one of the division's most respected strikers. Records show Sandhagen has eight KO or TKO victories in his career and has never been knocked out in his 23 professional fights. He has lost only once by submission, to...