Cory Sandhagen will need to overcome one of the toughest tests in bantamweight history in order to finally win UFC gold, but he has one secret weapon with him in the gym every day.
Fan favorite Sandhagen is the next challenger for the seemingly unbeatable Merab Dvalishvili’s 135lb title, and will need an all-time great performance to dethrone the Georgian. Not since his first two UFC outings has the champion been defeated, and his latest run has put him in the legend discussion.
However, Sandhagen has been training with some top prospects, not least of whom is PFL World Tournament finalist Justin Wetzell. And the 33-year-old believes he could provide a key help on the mats as his teammate prepares for the fight of his life at UFC 320.
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Cory Sandhagen is preparing for Merab Dvalishvili with PFL World Tournament finalist
Both Cory Sandhagen and Justin Wetzell have big title fights coming up in the next few weeks. On August 15 in Charlotte, North Carolina the latter takes on Marcirley Alves in the PFL World Tournament bantamweight finals.
Then on October 4 at UFC 320, Sandhagen finally gets his shot at the gold. “He’s got a great training partner in myself who’s going to help him with Merab’s style,” Wetzell told Bloody Elbow of Sandhagen in an exclusive chat.
“Being on that end, I know it’s not going to be fun because when you’re out there and close that range, he’s very good at attacking you. So after this tournament is over I’m going to be getting back in the gym and I’m going to be using my style to help him.
“In my opinion it’s very similar to Merab’s it’s got a high cardio base, lots of wrestling, lots of mixing it up. We’re pushing people against the cage and pushing the pace. That’s my style.”
Justin Wetzell believes he can reach world level after PFL win
In fact, not only does Wetzell believe that he will become PFL champion in a few weeks – he reckons he could also crack the Dvalishvili code. However, he must first get past Alves while his teammate takes care of business in the UFC.
“I’ve been saying for years that I actually know I could beat Merab,” Wetzell continued. “If I’m on my game, I know I could beat him. So I want to bring that to Cory and help him to prepare and win that belt.
“Then at our gym we’re going to have the UFC belt and the first ever PFL 135lb belt in the same place. Bro, that’s going to be so sick… I’ve been laser-focused on the tournament but I want to take some time to decompress after this because I definitely have to give my body a break, I’ll just say that.”