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The UFC 320 countdown previews two title bouts. In the main event, Magomed Ankalaev will rematch Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title. In the co-main event, Merab Dvalishvili will put his bantamweight belt on the line against Cory Sandhagen. Order the UFC PPV on ESPN+ ➡️ https://ufc.ac/3NKBvmx (US only) Order the UFC PPV

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00:00In recent years, the Caucasus has become one of the UFC's most formidable proving grounds.
00:08Hardened, battle-ready warriors descend from the mountains to inflict their unique style
00:15on the MMA landscape.
00:17Still undisputed!
00:18Producing numerous world champions
00:21and ushering in a new era of dominance.
00:25Oh my goodness!
00:27A man of his word!
00:30At UFC 320, two divisional kings from the region will look to extend their reign
00:37when the Octagon returns to the fight capital of the world.
00:42In the main event, the newly crowned light heavyweight champion, Magomed Ancalaev
00:47What a broken knockout for Ancalaev!
00:50Puts his title on the line for the first time against the man he dethroned, Alex Pereira.
00:56The Brazilians' historic undefeated run in the division
01:00was ended by the Dagestani powerhouse.
01:03Ancalaev on top of the MMA world!
01:06The rematch is set,
01:08and the rivals will meet once again to contest with the 205-pound throne.
01:13I think this is the second fight.
01:16It's a chance for me to defend it.
01:24I've done a lot of things in the UFC, but there's a lot of things to do.
01:28Five!
01:29That man wants revenge!
01:31Six!
01:32If you're 320, I'll recover my belt.
01:34Alex Pereira reigns supreme!
01:37In the co-main event,
01:39Bantamweight Champion Murat Dualashwili
01:41seeks his third consecutive title defense.
01:43This guy is a baller!
01:46Against perennial contender Corey Sandberg.
01:49I'm one of the best strikers in the UFC.
01:52And that is it!
01:53And my wrestling is a thousand times better
01:55than these other guys that he's fought and beaten.
01:59For years, Sandhagen has chased the title with relentless determination.
02:05At T-Mobile Arena, he finally gets his shot
02:08against an unstoppable Georgian force who refuses to be denied.
02:12I beat all the former champions, all the top contenders,
02:17and I have to show the world again I'm the best fighter.
02:21He's a top!
02:22Oh, my goodness!
02:23And still!
02:24He's a monster!
02:25At UFC 320, I win this fight.
02:28Enter the Sandman!
02:30Oh!
02:31I'm coming for that day!
02:34Las Vegas, Nevada.
02:36Will once again be the battleground for the world's elites.
02:39To etch their names into the history books.
02:42I know it's gonna be all action!
02:44Absolutely perfect matchup!
02:46Ahead of the title fight doubleheader on October 4th,
02:49we detail the journeys of our main attractions.
02:52It's getting there.
02:53Just a little bit more and we'll be done.
02:56This is UFC 320.
02:58This is a massive night!
03:00Countdown.
03:01UFC 320 is gonna be sick!
03:09Nessled between the eastern edge of the Caucasus mountains and the Caspian Sea,
03:15the Russian Republic of Dagestan stands as a cradle of combat sports.
03:21Fighting is woven into its history and culture,
03:24producing a relentless stream of generational talent,
03:28including newly crowned light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev.
03:34Dagestan is the place where there are many sportsmen,
03:38there are many competition.
03:41We have a lot of competition.
03:42We have a lot of the gym,
03:44we have a lot of children,
03:45and we have a lot of young people in the evening.
03:47We have a lot of people in Dagestan.
03:49In Dagestan,
03:50and more than I am in Dagestan,
03:51as it is in the village,
03:52I am in Dagestan,
03:53and I am in the village.
03:54Our training is strong.
03:56To get out of the place,
03:58you should be able to change something from the region.
03:59You should be able to change something from the region.
04:05Some people,
04:07some people,
04:08some people,
04:09who have had some difficulties
04:10and reached their goal.
04:13to their goals.
04:16For this reason, I think that our fighters,
04:20who came out, are somehow different.
04:27In the future,
04:29there will never be a champion in Dagestan.
04:36Drawing upon inspiration from his homeland
04:39and determined to make his mark.
04:40Excited to finally have him inside the Octagon.
04:44The much hyped Magomed Ankulayev
04:47from Dagestan, Russia.
04:49Ankulayev would tear his way
04:51through the UFC's light heavyweight division.
04:53What is it?
04:55This guy is something special.
04:56I mean, this guy is the real deal.
04:58It's easy to do, in fact, because...
05:01Ankulayev with style points tonight!
05:04You need to work to be stronger.
05:07He looks like a champion.
05:08We are truly in for something special.
05:10He's on the doorsteps now of superstardom.
05:13Can he cash in?
05:15This man is absolutely terrifying.
05:17He can win a fight wherever he goes.
05:20This is a champion.
05:21And you can see it from the moment he started.
05:23To get to the level,
05:25you don't go away immediately.
05:26You need to beat him there and make a fight.
05:31With each victory, the Dagestani native
05:34moved closer to earning a shot at the title.
05:36Magomed Ankulayev trying to preserve that number one ranking
05:38and set up a shot against the vaunted Poatan.
05:42And eventually getting his wish
05:44against one of the most feared strikers
05:46the division has ever seen.
05:47Alex, stop running away from me.
05:52Ladies and gentlemen, Magomed Ankulayev!
06:00Former UFC middleweight champion Alex Pereira
06:04rose to the top of the light heavyweight division
06:06to claim a second title in 2023.
06:11His reign as light heavyweight king
06:12was nothing short of spectacular,
06:15and demanded a dedicated focus and understanding
06:18of what is truly needed to stay on top.
06:21We're in a competition.
06:23One wants to be better than the other
06:26within the sport.
06:27The guy's a legend, man.
06:29He's like nothing we've ever seen
06:30inside the Octagon.
06:31Everyone knows it's hard to come and conquer.
06:35He's one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time.
06:37It's a sport of very risk,
06:40but I think it's worth it.
06:42To pay the price for this fight.
06:45His explosion of popularity off the charts,
06:49and for my money, you're looking live
06:51at the biggest superstar in mixed martial arts today.
06:55I did four fights for the Cinturão
06:57in less than a year.
06:58Oh! That is going to do it, Alex Pereira!
07:01Welcome to the History Books!
07:04To keep it, it's harder to do it.
07:06I can do it three times.
07:09Alex, Alex, Alex!
07:13His activity, how consistent he's been fighting,
07:16has really elevated him at a rate
07:18that we haven't seen since Conor McGregor.
07:20Oh!
07:21Poetan remains on top of the MMA world!
07:26It's a lot to defend the Cinturão three times,
07:28because it's hard to do.
07:31In addition to the weight that comes with ruling over the division,
07:44came further distractions that would challenge
07:45the champion's commitment.
07:49There's been a lot of things happening.
07:51I was defending my Cinturão,
07:53I had a lot of commitments.
07:55Say hello to the UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Alex Pereira.
07:59People who are there when I get there,
08:02in any place, airport, hotel, some events.
08:07This, for me, is very...
08:09very gratifying.
08:11Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!
08:15The guys are shouting the name,
08:20shouting the call.
08:22The things that he can do before, he can't do anymore.
08:26And that's from being the headline at UFC 300.
08:29Being the headline at 303.
08:32This man has stepped up twice in three months to headline,
08:36two of the biggest pay-per-views,
08:37not just this year, in UFC history.
08:39My burden, for me, is very gratifying.
08:44So, I always try to attribute this in some way.
08:48Oh!
08:49Three Light Heavyweight Champion defenses
08:52in a span of seven months.
08:55Come on!
08:57But, well, you're there with your body,
08:59always training, motivated,
09:01knowing that there's a next fight.
09:03You know that every time he goes in there
09:05with these dangerous guys, he's playing with fire.
09:08And at some point, he's going to catch up to him.
09:09And you wonder when that's going to happen.
09:12Now, with three former Light Heavyweight Champions
09:14already in his wake,
09:15he draws a man many believe
09:17has the chops to dethrone the king.
09:20At the peak of his superstar status,
09:24the Brazilian was heading into his fourth title defense
09:26against a worthy follower,
09:28who'd been gunning for the title.
09:32I was a pretender for a long time.
09:36But in the team, they knew and felt the danger.
09:40They could lose their power.
09:42Oh!
09:43Oh!
09:44Oh!
09:45Oh!
09:46Oh!
09:47Oh!
09:48Oh!
09:49Oh!
09:50Oh!
09:51Oh!
09:52Oh!
09:53Oh!
09:54Oh!
09:55Oh!
09:56Oh!
09:57Oh!
09:58Oh!
09:59Oh!
10:00Oh!
10:01Oh!
10:12Oh!
10:13I've never been so calm as Alex.
10:18What is Pereira showing these guys that they can't shoot on?
10:21It's the fear of the consequences.
10:23Okay.
10:24I felt it, I saw it, I saw it, I saw it, I saw it,
10:28I saw it, I saw it, I saw it, I saw it.
10:32Here's the shot, there it is.
10:34I didn't give him any chance to move on,
10:37I just looked for him and he didn't understand it.
10:40Oh!
10:41A counterattack by on Goliath and a big left hand.
10:43In the second round, I hit Alex.
10:46It was good, but it turned out that Kong was safe.
10:50Oh, we heard him!
10:52Massive left lane in the round for on Goliath!
10:54Really good round for the challenger.
10:56That was a big left hand he landed at the end of the round.
10:59Can you do it by taking it directly inside?
11:02He was like, how much discipline, intelligence!
11:05You can see that as I didn't feel those coups
11:08when he was out of the second round.
11:10He also noticed that he couldn't do so many things.
11:11He started wanting to catch me.
11:13Nicely done by Pereira.
11:15Nice combo by the champ!
11:17It was clear that the Kozak was lost,
11:20and I didn't give him a shot.
11:23Uncle Liao controlling this round.
11:26Pereira looks like he's fading a bit.
11:28His goal was to do this,
11:30but he couldn't do it.
11:31He tried to put me down there for several times,
11:33and defended all his losses.
11:37I did everything.
11:38I went forward,
11:40I dominated,
11:41I sought.
11:42I was sure.
11:43I was confident that I won this fight.
11:48I thought it was going to happen.
11:50Because,
11:51obviously,
11:52we were kind of in doubt.
11:55Many people said,
11:57ah,
11:58the guy will beat me on the ground,
11:59he will leave me.
12:00And nothing happened.
12:01We thought he could win me.
12:04That he could beat me.
12:05That he could beat me.
12:08Alex,
12:09Pereira and Magomed on Goliath go the full 25 minutes.
12:12Very close fight.
12:13That could come down to that final round.
12:17When I showed the back,
12:19it was the most happy for me.
12:23And...
12:26No!
12:28Oh!
12:29No!
12:31No words to me.
12:32I've been so long.
12:34And here's my dream for me.
12:38And you can be sure,
12:40Alex Boatapaneira will be back in a big spot.
12:43Maybe even an immediate rematch.
12:45Everyone saw the fight,
12:47and it was like a man of seven heads.
12:50You know?
12:51This proves the reason to fight me later.
12:54UFC 320.
12:55Magomed,
12:56the champ,
12:57and Goliath defends his belt against Alex Pereira.
13:00Pereira deserves a chance to try to right that wrong.
13:03So,
13:04now it's up to him
13:05to make sure that this fight doesn't play out exactly like the last one.
13:08You know?
13:09You know?
13:10You know?
13:11You know?
13:16Inspiring others is one of the many benefits of attaining a UFC title.
13:22Utilizing his new status,
13:24UFC light heavyweight king Magomed Ankalaev
13:27continues to support those in his home nation.
13:31looking to follow in the footsteps of past and present Tagestani champions.
13:38Of course, to be a champion.
13:41They know you everywhere.
13:43It's a pleasant feeling.
13:48My life has changed a lot.
13:51There are many opportunities.
13:53And you can help many people.
13:55People saw that I didn't win.
13:58I didn't win.
13:59I didn't win.
14:00I didn't win.
14:01I didn't win.
14:02I didn't win.
14:03I'm already in good shape.
14:04I'm ready.
14:05I'm ready.
14:06I'm ready.
14:07I'm ready.
14:08Now we need to go back to Alex Pereira.
14:09It's worth it.
14:10The guys can follow up and reach this success.
14:14Well,
14:15it's in Dagestan.
14:16It's my home.
14:17It's my home.
14:18It's my home.
14:19It's my home.
14:20It's my home.
14:21It's my home.
14:22It's my home.
14:23It's my home.
14:24It's my home.
14:25It's my home.
14:26It's my home.
14:27It's my home.
14:28It's my home.
14:29It's my home.
14:30It's my home.
14:31It's my home.
14:32Welcome to the Dagestan.
14:33We're just beginning.
14:34Can you imagine?
14:35After 10 years,
14:36we can realize how good we are in MMA map in the world.
14:41It's gonna be very hard to stop this invasion.
14:44We never see together like three UFC champions in the arena in Dagestan.
14:49I really am happy to be here to see all this people here.
14:54He is one of the best who ever did in Russia already, and he is keep improving himself, keep climbing on top.
15:24He is one of the best who ever did this.
15:26No, I really believe he has skills.
15:32In this sport, patience is the most important thing, because success will come.
15:41For Alex Pereira, family has always been a major focus in his life.
15:55From an early age, the former two-division champion offered guidance to his sister, who's been able to make her own mark in combat sports.
16:05We are very close.
16:10Since my adolescence, we were always close.
16:14From the beginning, when I didn't want to train him, he encouraged me to train him.
16:24I was able to take more attention to her, we were always together.
16:33We were always together.
16:40We were always at the championships, traveling together.
16:45We got to fight at the same time.
16:47Every moment.
16:54I'm looking for to be together at the trainings, events.
17:00Or directly, you know?
17:02It's very difficult for our walk.
17:06I didn't have a healthy life.
17:08I also drank like he drank.
17:14I'd like to stay here.
17:16This is better.
17:18It was a guy who liked to drink,
17:22and I changed everything,
17:24thanks to the sport.
17:26Did I buy something for her or not?
17:28It's amazing.
17:30It's sweet.
17:32It's good to remember the mother's food, right?
17:34Here.
17:36Family food.
17:38It's so good.
17:40It's the best restaurant, right?
17:42It's the same.
17:44I just have to thank him for everything.
17:46He didn't have left.
17:54And today I'm the world champion.
17:58All in the world.
18:00All in the world.
18:02All in the world.
18:04I see him conquering many things.
18:06Wherever he wants to go, he's going.
18:10Because I've never seen his potential.
18:12The trust between a fighter and their coach is invaluable to winning a title.
18:18A fact UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankulayev understands well.
18:24With this in mind, Ankulayev is back at work preparing for his first title defense.
18:28The man that brought him to UFC gold.
18:30Been a long road for Magomed Ankulayev and longtime head coach Sukrav.
18:34What will you do with Alex Pereira?
18:36Show me.
18:37I'll show you.
18:38I'll show you.
18:39With this in mind, Ankulayev is back at work preparing for his first title defense.
18:43The man that brought him to UFC gold.
18:45Been a long road for Magomed Ankulayev and longtime head coach Sukrav.
18:51What will you do with Alex Pereira?
18:53What will you do with Alex Pereira?
18:55Let me show you.
18:56With Magomed.
18:58Like he was in the first day in MMA.
19:01I'm going with him together.
19:03On this way.
19:05He always did what he told him.
19:08He did.
19:09He did.
19:10He was sick, not sick.
19:12He was sick, not sick.
19:13He was sick.
19:14He was sick.
19:15He was sick.
19:16He was sick.
19:17He was sick.
19:18He was sick.
19:19He took his wife away.
19:21He took his wife while he took his wife.
19:22He said run away.
19:24He was sick!
19:25He hit the way!
19:26He hit the way.
19:27So, yeah.
19:28What?
19:29What does he do?
19:30Well, it's like this.
19:31Like he said.
19:32Like he always said.
19:33That's always there.
19:34You said.
19:35I did it.
19:36And that's just.
19:38Alex will go through.
19:40When he's in the meanwhile.
19:41Why?
19:42Because he has nothing to get in the staiety.
19:44At the same time.
19:45He will sing.
19:46He will speak.
19:47He can only hear my voice.
19:49Is there even a fight?
19:51Let's go.
20:01Alex Perreiro.
20:03He won't be able to see us.
20:07He won't be able to see us.
20:09He won't be able to see us.
20:11He won't be able to see us.
20:13He won't be able to see us.
20:15He won't be able to see us.
20:17He has a standard technique.
20:19He's a old kick-boxer.
20:23He's no speed.
20:25One more.
20:27One more.
20:29One more.
20:31Alex Perreiro has a strong punch.
20:33He's really got Perreiro on his heels.
20:35Just constantly forward on Goliath.
20:37Goliath has some short, sharp punches and tight.
20:41He's got Perreiro on his heels.
20:43One more, sharp punches and tight.
20:45Oh!
20:46I tell everyone, if he's angry,
20:49he will surprise everyone.
20:51And even the best puncher
20:53can be defeated by his heel,
20:55than Alex Perreiro.
20:57Oh!
20:58We heard him!
20:59Let's rock Elias!
21:01From the first fight with Alex Perreiro,
21:03I understood.
21:04I watched this fight.
21:05I saw a lot of things.
21:07Where I didn't work.
21:11The front and the back.
21:12Where I could stop him.
21:14Where I could hit him.
21:16Good front kicks to the body.
21:18These are excellent.
21:19The fight will be like this,
21:21that we'll dominate this fight.
21:24I will finish the fight.
21:27James Perreiro,
21:29it's the end.
21:30Where did you go?
21:31Come on.
21:40Back in Connecticut,
21:42Alex Pereira is 100% focused on his upcoming rematch.
21:49Fueled by the ambition to regain the title that was once his.
21:54Alex is hungry.
21:55Like he was when he first came over here.
21:58We're gonna combo.
22:00The shot close, high crotch.
22:02Boom.
22:07Alright?
22:08Let's go combination and shot.
22:10It's easy to do it when you have that goal to become a champion,
22:15but it's hard to stay that focus on the top.
22:19Stay focused, stay focused.
22:21We've been doing full camp over here in Connecticut
22:24without Alex traveling around.
22:26Just a boxer now.
22:28Move slowly.
22:29Light and snap.
22:30Keep it fast, Alessandro.
22:32Keep it fast.
22:33Stay fast.
22:34We're putting cardio up there.
22:36His condition is gonna be sharp and he's gonna go for finish.
22:39Alright, clinch upper body.
22:41Try upper body clinch, okay?
22:43But you can do Muay Thai also.
22:46He has upper body.
22:47He's getting better and better.
22:49And he's very hungry to get that belt back.
22:52Stay focused.
22:54Moving around.
22:55Moving around.
22:56Very technical.
22:57Very technical.
22:58Get those elbows in.
22:59I'm sure, right?
23:00At revanche, we saw it directly.
23:02I was there, I was feeling it, right?
23:04At the time.
23:05So, the team, we're talking and we're talking.
23:08Get your work.
23:1010 seconds.
23:1110 seconds.
23:12Do that.
23:13How was it?
23:14How was it?
23:15Was it strong or wasn't it?
23:16Was it difficult here?
23:18It was much easier to adjust.
23:20On the count, okay?
23:22Remember?
23:23Four hooks.
23:24One.
23:26Two.
23:27What motivates me is to recover my belt.
23:31Let's go, get my belt.
23:35He said, before the first fight, I would do many things.
23:39And he didn't do anything.
23:41Build the power, build the power!
23:44He said, where did he hurt me?
23:47Where did he hurt me?
23:48Where did he hurt me?
23:49Stay in there, stay in there.
23:50I believe I can be better than him.
23:54I believe I can win him.
23:56I believe he can't win his game.
23:58And he'll give a show to everyone.
24:00Back is ready.
24:01Six.
24:02So it's going to be a great fight.
24:04I'm going to win.
24:09I thought Pereira did a good job in round one.
24:11And he did a pretty good job in round three.
24:13Uncle Laya pressured him on the feet.
24:15He showed that Pereira has a harder time fighting off the back foot.
24:19And did what had to be done.
24:21This guy can do it all.
24:25This man is absolutely terrifying.
24:28This is the second fight.
24:29It's not a chance for him to win.
24:34It's a chance for me to stop him.
24:37I mean, this guy's the real deal.
24:39For me, I'm a rotnut.
24:40Alex Pereira.
24:41Oh, he heard him!
24:42He's as close to a perfect fighter as what you can fight.
24:46Now he's the UFC light heavyweight champion of the world against the most devastating champion we've seen in years.
24:52I did a lot of things inside the UFC.
24:54And still, Alex Pereira reigns supreme!
24:59But there's a lot to do.
25:01He's one of those destructive knockout artists that's ever competed in combat sports.
25:06Oh, Jamal Hill's out!
25:09That's horrific.
25:10That's bone chilling.
25:11Any mistake has grave consequences.
25:15So, I'm here, on the ground.
25:17It's going to be a different fight.
25:19Light heavyweight championship is on the line.
25:21I'll recuperate my belt.
25:23This is the one we've all been waiting for.
25:36Although MMA is a solo endeavor,
25:41a fighter's success comes from surrounding themselves with the right support system.
25:45For UFC bantamweight champion Murad Dwalashvili, his accomplishments are due in part to a former division champion and training partner, Aljamain Sterling.
25:59The two climbed the ranks together, aiding each other in their ultimate goals.
26:05When I first came to the United States, one of the first MMA professional fighters I met, it was Aljamain Sterling.
26:15I had pleasure to training with him.
26:18He was always working hard, and at the same time, he inspired all of us, all the teammates, all the friends, always sharing his knowledge.
26:27He's such a cool dude, and we become best friends and best teammates, and I learned so much from him.
26:34Marabba and I met in 2013 at Longo's gym.
26:42Grab his tricep, easy. Now flex that wrist the way I just did.
26:46And he's been a dog ever since then.
26:48He always had a motor on him.
26:52This guy is a real problem, because he doesn't get tired.
26:58The fact that he's training with Aljamain Sterling, who's at the top of the heap in this division.
27:02We see him get more and more comfortable. Iron sharpens iron.
27:07That'll do it! Seven in a row for Murad Dwalashvili.
27:11I'm training with the best, and of course, I'm top. That's why I'm here.
27:14He was one of those guys who never quit. Even if I get a submission, he gets right back up and it's like, okay, let's go again.
27:19It's just overwhelming the way he fights.
27:21He was just one of those guys who didn't get discouraged.
27:23His mind is just unstoppable. You cannot discourage him.
27:28He worked really, really hard and was willing to be a student of the game, and I think that's why we really, really mesh.
27:33Ten consecutive wins. Rob Dwalashvili coming to a championship setting shortly.
27:40Sterling's influence on Dwalashvili's evolution.
27:43was reciprocated in training, and elevated the New York native to a championship level.
27:50Doing my rights to the title, Murad was a huge implement in my training, day in and day out.
27:54Both of us kind of feeding off of each other and being able to bounce ideas off of each other and learn from each other.
27:59Aljamain on base!
28:02Oh my God! This is what the fight there is all about!
28:06When Aljamain Sterling was defending his title, I was top contender as well.
28:11Ninety seconds to finish him!
28:13Yes!
28:14Finish!
28:15Yeah!
28:16Keep going!
28:17Come on!
28:18Yeah!
28:19Yeah!
28:20What?!
28:21What?
28:22Beautiful!
28:23But I was not even thinking to fight for the belt because I was happy to see and enjoy Aljamain Sterling
28:30Al Jermaine Sterling be a champion.
28:40Al Jermaine Sterling is a phenomenal champion,
28:42but there is no one that has come in this division ever
28:45that has taken the attention of the public like Sean O'Malley.
28:50That'll do it!
28:51And new Bay of Lake champ!
28:55The loss in Sterling's fourth title defense
28:57will open the door for Dwalishwili to challenge for the belts.
29:01Mirab Dwalishwili, he will approach this fight
29:04as if he's trying to take everything that Sean O'Malley has worked for.
29:08We should just all be impressed at the game plan of Mirab Dwalishwili.
29:14Al Jermaine Sterling was a great champion.
29:15My time came, and now I'm a champion too.
29:18That was everything for me when Mirab became the champion.
29:21It was the guy that was being overlooked.
29:23Good focus, good focus!
29:25We go left, we go left!
29:27Oh, Mirab's doing exactly what he does to everybody!
29:30And sure enough, he let the world know
29:31that he is a serious threat
29:33to being a king for a long time in this division.
29:36Yeah, baby!
29:37Let's go!
29:40Just great to have him in my corner, in my side.
29:44Yes!
29:45Yes!
29:45Take it!
29:46Yes!
29:47Go for it!
29:48He's got a neck crank.
29:49That's real tight.
29:50He's attacked!
29:51Oh, my goodness!
29:52And still, Mirab Dwalishwili,
29:55the Michelle O'Reilly!
29:59Champion of the world!
30:02I want you to come here, brother.
30:05This guy made me who I am, you know?
30:07Brother, thank you.
30:08It's a beautiful friendship.
30:09We only help each other for our legacy and our success,
30:16and we always will.
30:18Man, hey, the real team is here, the real work is here.
30:21That's it, man.
30:22We are better than them.
30:23Following his second title defense,
30:34Dwalishwili returned to his home country.
30:37With Coach John Wood by his side,
30:40the bantamweight champion once again received a fitting reception
30:44from his proud compatriots.
30:45After the fight, I went straight to Georgia.
30:52It was crazy.
30:58Everyone around me so happy,
31:01and even MMA people now,
31:04they all give me respect.
31:08Since we landed in Georgia,
31:10everybody treated me like a king.
31:12They all tell me,
31:16thank you so much for making Georgia proud.
31:19This is everything for me.
31:22We have this expression,
31:24guest is from the God.
31:26We always treat our guest very well.
31:29Go!
31:29Go!
31:30Go!
31:30Go!
31:30Go!
31:31Go!
31:31Go!
31:33My coach John Wood was first time in my country,
31:36and he was shocked.
31:38He saw the Georgian hospitality.
31:42Man, the reception that I've gotten here has been amazing.
31:45It's something I didn't expect.
31:46Coming home to his country,
31:48the fans absolutely adore him.
31:50It's truly an honor to be here and be with these people.
31:53He's awesome inside and outside the gym.
31:55It's great to see all of his fellow countrymen behind him
31:58and support him like that.
32:00It's a beautiful place,
32:02beautiful people showing us love.
32:04I don't want to stay more than weak
32:06because it's too good to be there.
32:10I don't want to forget this hard work got me there,
32:14and I want to continue hard work,
32:16and now I'm excited for my next one.
32:18While Dwalish Willy ruled over the division,
32:30another contender was making a run towards the title,
32:36supported by a strong belief
32:38and early expectations from those around him.
32:42All right, let's go ahead, Shadowbox.
32:44Pick a spot, start moving.
32:46People had the notion
32:49that I was one day going to be a UFC champ
32:52because I just came from really good teams
32:55that implanted that belief in me pretty early.
32:58Honor walking with punches.
33:00Okay, athletic.
33:00out, and I'm aggressive with my hips
33:03when throwing my stepping with punches.
33:05All right, hold him back.
33:07The expectations that I was supposed to do well
33:09definitely helped me.
33:10There you go, good.
33:12It made me set a way higher bar
33:13than I probably would have.
33:15Okay, so if I'm dropping my left foot,
33:17it's hitting me back.
33:18So I'm sliding out to the side.
33:19Boom.
33:20I'm attacking back.
33:22Back into a jabbing position.
33:23If I can jab, I can throw anything.
33:25All right, we are in.
33:26To be a world champion
33:27is not like a normal thing
33:29to be told that you can do.
33:31Oh, beautiful.
33:32So people telling me that I was able to do that.
33:36Wow.
33:37That was really, really helpful for me
33:39just believing in myself.
33:41Representing the artists
33:43in the phrase mixed martial artist
33:45is Corey Sandhagen,
33:46who so many have pegged
33:47as a future UFC champion.
33:49Oh, Corey Sandhagen
33:50living up to the hype tonight.
33:53Oh!
33:54I came into this
33:55because I wanted to be
33:56the absolute best martial artist
33:57that anyone has ever seen.
33:59I can also follow him back
34:01until I call good power attacks.
34:04My fighting style
34:04is super well-rounded.
34:06This guy desperately
34:07wants to be a champion.
34:09I've tried really hard
34:10to be not a one-trick pony,
34:12not just a striker.
34:13He is on a mission to do so.
34:15The double leg.
34:16He can do it all.
34:17He's gone out there
34:17flying these.
34:19Oh!
34:20My goodness!
34:21Spinning hook kicks.
34:22Oh!
34:24What a kick!
34:25Sufficient skills.
34:26Yep, arm bar.
34:27Oh, there's the tap!
34:28And the wrestling game
34:29of Corey Sandhagen
34:30is extremely impressive,
34:32as is the control
34:33and the positioning.
34:34I wanted to, like,
34:35impress myself
34:36when I would watch my fights.
34:37He's very educated
34:38in his approach
34:39to everything that he does.
34:41If I'm going to attack,
34:42I have to be quick on my feet.
34:43Just be like,
34:44whoa, Corey,
34:44like, you got really,
34:46really good at this, man.
34:47Like, you're doing this
34:47better than every single
34:48other person on the planet.
34:50Head time!
34:51Now you're getting a recipe
34:52to not just be champion,
34:53but stay there.
34:55For a long time,
34:57the talk about Corey Sandhagen
34:58has been about his potential
35:00as a future world champion.
35:03And he wants this to be the year
35:04that he finally realizes
35:06UFC gold.
35:07My last fight
35:08was against Davidson Figueredo.
35:10This is a big, big opportunity.
35:12Corey Sandhagen
35:12is one of those guys
35:13that people think
35:14if he gets a win here,
35:15he's going to be fighting
35:16for a time.
35:17A little bit more active
35:18with your face.
35:19That way we're able to move.
35:20Don't reach zone.
35:21Wait till his feet move.
35:22Oh, that's a nice uppercut.
35:24I knew going into the Figgy fight
35:26if I wanted to be the next guy,
35:28I had to go out
35:29and finish Figgy.
35:30And now,
35:31Pierce Crowder
35:32pound is getting through.
35:33The finish came
35:34from trying to go
35:35for the heel hook.
35:36He's on the heel hook.
35:37But Figgy was trying
35:39to get out of it
35:40and stay on top.
35:42Oh, I don't like
35:42the angle of that knee.
35:43It's hard to watch.
35:44But if you try
35:46to stay on top
35:46and I jerk you down
35:48hard enough,
35:48it's got to clear that leg.
35:50Your knee's going to pop
35:51or you're going to go down
35:52and both happen.
35:53Use it to get right on top.
35:55Nicely done.
35:57That is going to do it.
35:59It's a knee injury
36:00for Figueredo,
36:01but it's the statement
36:02that Corey Sandhagen
36:03was looking to make.
36:05It made a really nasty noise,
36:07which was music
36:08to my ears.
36:09Perhaps a title shot next
36:11for the Sandman.
36:13And it secured me
36:14in the title shot.
36:15UFC 320,
36:16October 4th,
36:17will be Marab
36:18versus Corey Sandhagen.
36:20This just might be
36:22the toughest test
36:23of Marab Devalishvili's career.
36:30In the picturesque surroundings
36:32of the Colorado Mountains,
36:35Corey Sandhagen prepares
36:36for his upcoming title fight
36:37with a recent addition
36:39to his team.
36:41Leaving nothing to chance,
36:44Sandhagen has been working
36:45with famed coach
36:46Trevor Whitman
36:46to ensure all areas
36:48of his game are covered.
36:51I've known Trevor
36:51for a really, really,
36:53really long time.
36:54I just reached out to him
36:55and asked him
36:55if he would be my head coach,
36:57and I know that he doesn't do that
36:59for a lot of people.
37:00So this is going to be
37:01a hard day
37:01because you've got
37:02a lot of single rounds,
37:03so I don't want you
37:04to think about winning.
37:04Yes, sir.
37:05If we've got two in a row,
37:06three in a row,
37:06then we can feel someone break.
37:08But right now,
37:09it's about being
37:09in the condition
37:10and being stubborn.
37:11If we get taken down,
37:12we're getting right
37:12the back up.
37:13It just made sense
37:15for me and him
37:15to work together
37:16at this point in my career.
37:18The eye for the sport
37:20that Trevor has
37:21is something
37:21that I've never seen
37:23in my entire life.
37:25Stay sharp mentally.
37:26We're in it
37:26for the whole seven today.
37:28I thought that
37:29I had that eye pretty good.
37:31We are in.
37:33And then I met Trevor,
37:34and I was like,
37:35oh my God,
37:35this guy sees things
37:36that I just cannot see yet.
37:41Good, good.
37:41Get it, get it, get it,
37:42get it.
37:42Yes, Corey.
37:43Yes, Corey.
37:44Yep, good work, brother.
37:46In the three fights
37:47that I've worked with Corey,
37:48the biggest change
37:49that I've seen
37:49is the confidence
37:51in his mindset.
37:52It's being offensive,
37:53not being defensive.
37:55Good position, Corey.
37:57I already like
37:58the activity here,
37:59lean foot.
38:01That's high.
38:03Thank you, Justin.
38:04At the highest level,
38:05if you want to be a champion
38:06and you want to carry that belt
38:07for a long period of time,
38:08you have to be the aggressor.
38:09Much better with your jab, too.
38:10Yeah.
38:11Okay, anytime that we start
38:12to get past this black line here,
38:13just to juke to the hips.
38:14Okay.
38:15Okay?
38:15Just to control,
38:16get a little bit more space.
38:17I don't want to see you
38:17just walk in one direction
38:18unless I'm juking.
38:20Let's have another round like that.
38:23Corey is one of those
38:24sharpshooters.
38:24He's like a ninja.
38:25Yeah.
38:27So I've been calling
38:28for like a lot of kill shots.
38:31Good speed change.
38:33Really getting that mindset
38:34of, hey, let's go out there,
38:35let's be offensive,
38:36and let's meet him.
38:38Nice time.
38:39And the hard part is
38:40is getting all wrestlers
38:41through these rounds,
38:42which is awesome.
38:44Yeah.
38:45That was perfect what you did.
38:47Yep, yep, yep.
38:48Good work, Corey.
38:49Get that underhook.
38:50Keep working, baby.
38:51And I don't think a lot of guys
38:52do that against a guy like Merab.
38:53They go out there
38:54and they're just like,
38:55hey, don't get to it.
38:55Take him down,
38:56and then when you get taken down,
38:56you're on plan B.
38:58Yep, good.
38:59Walk to the cage,
38:59start finding the hands.
39:00I don't want him taking that.
39:02Can we turn it?
39:02Can we sweep him?
39:03Can we take him down?
39:04That mindset is what it takes
39:05to be a champion.
39:06Way to be stubborn, Corey.
39:09Again, we have a fresh guy
39:10every round today,
39:11so expect this to be brutal,
39:12but I love that.
39:14In this camp particularly,
39:17I've really dedicated myself
39:19to learning all of the aspects
39:20deeply,
39:21not just being a striker
39:22with fancy jiu-jitsu.
39:23actually getting super good
39:26at wrestling.
39:28I could step into the cage
39:29with absolutely anyone,
39:31and I have all of the tools
39:32that I need to beat anyone
39:34in the entire world.
39:36Way to point, brother.
39:37Yeah!
39:38While physical training is vital,
39:46mental preparations
39:47are equally as important.
39:50A factor that Sandhagen
39:51understands and utilizes
39:53ahead of his first
39:55undisputed title opportunity.
39:56I'm like mega obsessed
39:59with martial arts,
39:59and I have been
40:00for a really long time.
40:02I just love
40:02the mental approach
40:04that Corey Sandhagen
40:05brings to the table.
40:05He's just always worried
40:07about just evolving.
40:08Fighting is just
40:09a deep obsession
40:10with all of the layers
40:12that go into it.
40:14I just have an obsession
40:15with trying to understand
40:16all of it.
40:17He has a degree
40:18in psychology.
40:19His mindset is so strong.
40:21He is so confident,
40:22and his focus
40:23is so narrow
40:24on putting everything
40:25he has into achieving
40:26the very highest level
40:27in the sport
40:28of mixed martial arts.
40:29There's like a whole
40:30technical world
40:31that I discuss
40:32and that I can break down,
40:34but there's also
40:36like this whole
40:37mental, spiritual area
40:39of fighting
40:39that's very important
40:40to understand too.
40:42Sandhagen's a tactician.
40:44He's a thinker.
40:44He gets into his mind.
40:46He doesn't just work
40:46on the body.
40:47He mixes it all together,
40:48and that's what makes him
40:49a complete martial artist
40:50in my opinion.
40:53When you're in the cage,
40:54you have to be thoughtless
40:55and formless
40:55and be able to react
40:56to the moment,
40:57and if you're clinging
40:58to certain things,
41:00clinging to certain emotions,
41:02you're just like
41:02not going to be doing
41:04as well as if
41:05you're just reacting
41:06to each moment.
41:07He's got that up trap.
41:0830 seconds into this one.
41:09How does Sandhagen get out?
41:10Oh, God.
41:11That's tight.
41:12Look at that arm
41:13and Sandhagen
41:13still not getting
41:14tapping.
41:18And so meditating
41:20is a really good way
41:21to be aware
41:23of your thoughts
41:23and to disconnect
41:25from them.
41:26Well, Sandhagen's
41:27got toughness,
41:27if nothing else.
41:28My goodness.
41:29And now he's trying
41:29to get out
41:30and reverse his position.
41:32My goodness.
41:34He's out.
41:34And now Corey Sandhagen
41:36will let go.
41:37And his right hand
41:38is just fine.
41:40Oh, big ones now.
41:42Sandhagen
41:43goes high amplitude.
41:46Oh, and that is it.
41:48Corey Sandhagen
41:49by TKO.
41:54Just having the skill
41:56of being able
41:56to separate yourself
41:57from those
41:58is just super important
42:00for fighters to do.
42:01in order to be the best
42:15in the world.
42:16Oh, my goodness.
42:19Time's in.
42:20Perfect.
42:23So,
42:24meditating
42:24and self-hypnosis
42:25have helped me
42:26just explore
42:27my own thoughts
42:27and explore
42:28that part of life.
42:30Corey Sandhagen's
42:31more dangerous
42:32to Merab today
42:33and he does present
42:35some unique challenges
42:35for the champion.
42:36The rise to the
42:41bantamweight title
42:41has been a rewarding one
42:43for not only champion
42:45Merab Dualashvili
42:46but also coach
42:47John Wood.
42:48Do not
42:49around here.
42:50We have a goal.
42:51We're getting to the legs
42:52and we're going
42:53somewhere with it.
42:54If I see anybody,
42:56anybody
42:57do this,
42:59everybody's doing burpees.
43:02Shoot on the legs.
43:03All right?
43:03On three.
43:04One, two, three.
43:06The leader of Syndicate MMA
43:08reflects on the journey
43:09to the top of the division
43:10as he prepares his fighter
43:12for a third title defense.
43:14Beautiful.
43:16Being part of this
43:17has been something
43:18really, really special.
43:20And the way that people
43:20talk about him now
43:22and like he's the next GSP,
43:23like he's a generational fighter.
43:25Good.
43:27Drive.
43:28Yeah!
43:29Done.
43:30He's now defending the title.
43:31A few more of those.
43:33There's absolutely no question
43:35that he will be the goat
43:36of Bantamweight.
43:38That's it right there.
43:39Yeah, now you just dump,
43:40but even then,
43:40you can just dump him that way.
43:41I know you're going to pick him up
43:43and walk him around
43:43and talk and do whatever,
43:44so I'm okay with that.
43:46He's going to be on that
43:46Mount Rushmore
43:47of MMA fighters.
43:49And so to be able
43:49to share it with him,
43:50it's really cool
43:51when a fighter makes you feel
43:53like you're part
43:54of the journey with him.
43:55Make that transition
43:56right away!
43:57Let's go!
43:59Submission master.
44:00My job is always
44:01to find ways
44:03to make Marab
44:05do better at Marab.
44:07Keep moving,
44:08keep working.
44:09I don't try to change
44:10what he does.
44:10I try to sharpen and improve
44:11and make sure
44:12that everything he does
44:13is something
44:14that he's capable of
44:15without thinking,
44:16just doing.
44:17Time!
44:19Marab is one of those guys
44:20that every bit of information
44:22that input it,
44:22he keeps it,
44:23and he's taking it
44:24to the next fight,
44:24so we're just downloading
44:25information each camp
44:27and getting better
44:28for the next camp,
44:29and that's something
44:29that you're really
44:30going to see in this one.
44:31It's going to be
44:32a whole other level
44:33of Marab.
44:35Corey's a dynamic fighter.
44:36He's going to come out there
44:37with some things
44:38that we have to account for.
44:39He's got a lot
44:39of funky stuff.
44:40He changes stances.
44:41He's throwing a lot
44:42of jump knees.
44:42His counter-wrestling
44:43is good.
44:44Live on the ground!
44:46He's got threats
44:46from all areas
44:47that we have to account for.
44:49And switch!
44:52In three, two, one,
44:55we're striking, go!
44:57But we'll be ready
44:58for whatever he brings.
44:59Cut that corner,
45:00come back up.
45:02Last minute, let's work!
45:03We've got guys
45:04that can emulate that.
45:06No one can emulate
45:07what Marab does.
45:08I know what kind of dog
45:09I got in this fight,
45:10and there's nobody
45:11I would take over him.
45:12Ten seconds!
45:14Run him forward,
45:15run him forward,
45:15run him forward,
45:15yes!
45:16And we're going to be
45:17looking to punish,
45:18to do damage.
45:20Corey's one of those guys
45:21that's hard to finish,
45:22but he's a champion
45:23for a reason.
45:24Everybody,
45:24shout out, Moxie!
45:26So, I do see it coming.
45:28Marab's going to get
45:28a finish.
45:29Syndicate on three, guys!
45:30One, two, three!
45:31Syndicate!
45:35I know Corey Sanhagen
45:39has been thinking
45:40a long time
45:41about this matchup.
45:42I want to bring awe
45:43to the fans
45:44when they watch.
45:45I can knock Marab out.
45:47Oh!
45:47I could submit Marab.
45:50Oh, there's the tap!
45:51Corey Sanhagen
45:52does it again!
45:54I'm not going to get tired
45:55in five rounds,
45:56and my wrestling
45:58is a thousand times better
45:59than these other guys
46:00that he's fought.
46:01Perfectly time,
46:02take down.
46:02Oh!
46:03Right now,
46:03I feel unbeatable.
46:04Oh!
46:06What a kick!
46:07That's it!
46:08What a finish!
46:08Enter the Sandman!
46:11Marab's the only fighter
46:12that can push
46:13a frantic pace.
46:15He's just a freak
46:16of will and determination.
46:18It's going to be
46:19non-stop pressure
46:20fighting from both of us.
46:23And we will find out
46:25who's the better fighter.
46:27This guy is a real problem
46:29to this division.
46:31Against the likes
46:32of Jose Aldo,
46:33Piotr Jan,
46:35Henry Cejudo.
46:36It's all about pressure
46:37and non-stop offense
46:38from Marab Tualashvili.
46:40At UFC 320,
46:42I win this fight.
46:44Oh!
46:45He's out there
46:46to make a statement.
46:47It's a title shot next
46:48for the Sandman!
46:50I'm going to finish
46:51Corey Sahagan.
46:52I'm going to dominate him.
46:54Oh!
46:56And show the world again
46:58I'm the best fighter.
47:00He's going to tap.
47:00Oh my goodness!
47:01And still!
47:03The Bantamweight title showdown
47:05leads the way
47:06for the main event,
47:07where light heavyweight
47:08King Mahomet and Kalaya...
47:10He's so complete.
47:11He's as close
47:12to a perfect fighter
47:13as what you can find.
47:15intends to defend
47:16his throne
47:16in a rematch
47:17against former champion
47:18Electo Paredo.
47:20He has devastating power.
47:22Pound for pound,
47:23one of the best fighters
47:24in the sport.
47:25One of the greatest
47:26of all time.
47:27It all goes down
47:28in the fight capital
47:29of the world
47:30at UFC 320
47:31in Las Vegas.
47:34This is as high level
47:35as it gets.
47:36This is an unbelievable card.
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