Cory Sandhagen Has Better Chances to Beat Merab, Says UFC Analyst
As UFC 316 approaches, fans are focused on the high-stakes bantamweight title fight between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
But one respected analyst believes that someone outside the octagon that night may be the division’s biggest threat to Merab’s dominance.
Luke Thomas Backs Sandhagen Over O’Malley as Merab’s Real Test
Speaking on Submission Radio, UFC analyst Luke Thomas broke down why he believes Cory Sandhagen is stylistically better equipped to beat Merab than Sean O’Malley.
“People think they can beat Merab like anyone else — defend, wait, counter — but that doesn’t work. You need offense. You need to change the terms of the fight,” Thomas explained.
In other news this week, Sean Strickland made headlines for calling out MMA Guru during a viral Adin Ross stream, showing how much media narratives continue to stir conversations inside and outside the cage.
“You Can’t Just Survive – You Have to Hurt Him”
Thomas praised Merab’s insane cardio and pressure style, calling it the best he’s ever seen across all weight classes. According to him, most fighters get stuck defending, losing minutes on the clock and failing to generate any offense.
“You spend the entire fight just trying to stay upright, and the moment you hesitate, he resets and takes you down again,” he said.
In contrast, Cory Sandhagen, Thomas argues, scrambles aggressively, attacks with inverts, and creates chaos Merab is not used to dealing with.
This unpredictable offense may be exactly what’s needed to break Merab’s rhythm.
Sean Might Move On to 145 If He Loses
If Sean O’Malley suffers a second straight loss to Merab, Luke believes a shift in weight class might be the logical next step.
“You’re in a bad spot at that point,” he said. “145 becomes an option. If you’re Sean, you start chasing big fights and fresh matchups like Rich Franklin once did. It’s not just about belts — it’s about staying relevant.”
O’Malley’s star power remains strong, but if he falls again, it could open doors for other contenders. One top UFC lightweight has already shared bold predictions on the Dustin Poirier vs Max Holloway matchup, a fight that could impact the featherweight division O’Malley might be heading toward.
Sandhagen vs. Merab: The Real Matchup?
While all eyes are on UFC 316, Luke Thomas hints that the real fight fans should be watching for might not even be on the card.
Sandhagen’s creativity, movement, and offensive versatility, he argues, make him a nightmare matchup for the division’s most relentless fighter.
Meanwhile, this weekend’s fight card has already seen changes — the UFC Vegas 107 main event was officially cancelled, throwing more chaos into an already turbulent fight week.
If Merab gets through O’Malley — and if Cory wins his next — we could be looking at one of the most intriguing stylistic clashes in recent bantamweight history.
