At UFC 320, Magomed Ankalaev’s light heavyweight title defense against Alex Pereira is expected to steal the spotlight. Still, fans are equally hyped to see Merab Dvalishvili getting back into action for the third time this year. So far, ‘The Machine’ has bulldozed Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 and defeated Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316. Now, the Georgian champion is set to face Cory Sandhagen in the co-headliner of the Vegas card. Yet, despite the excitement, there’s growing concern within his camp.

Dvalishvili’s camp has long been regarded as one of the best in terms of coaching pedigree. With legends like former UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra and renowned coach Ray Longo backing him, his foundation has always been solid. However, after moving to Las Vegas, the reigning bantamweight champ began training under Syndicate MMA head coach John Wood. For the unversed, Wood also trains Khalil Rountree, who happens to be fighting Jiri Prochazka on the same card. That means, for him, it’s an extremely hectic night ahead, and the UFC doesn’t seem to be offering him any benefits.

Merab Dvalishvili’s coach details difficulties ahead of UFC 320  

In an interview with Home of Fight, Wood said, “No, they didn’t do me any favors. It’s definitely stressful. But here’s the thing, when it comes to that kind of stuff. When it comes to fight night, I’ve always had a very good ability to just to kind of lock in. It doesn’t matter what’s happening, good, bad, or different. It’s fight night.”

Well, it’s certainly a positive sign that John Wood is managing both responsibilities. But it can’t be ignored that juggling two fighters and giving them equal attention during fight camp is a tough task. Merab Dvalishvili is preparing for his third title defense against Cory Sandhagen, a high-stakes matchup on its own. Meanwhile, Khalil Rountree’s clash with Jiri Prochazka could serve as a potential 205 lbs title eliminator. By placing both bouts on the same card, the UFC has made things extremely challenging for Wood, who feels the promotion doesn’t really care about his situation.

He added, “It’s one thing I don’t really think about too much leading up to it. It’s like, ‘Oh my god, you know’. What are you gonna do? It’s done. The situation is what it is. The UFC ain’t changing the fight card for me. They don’t care about my feelings. So, it’s one of those things that you gotta deal with it.”

So now, a big question arises—will Merab’s camp be compromised at UFC 320? We’ll find out when he finally squares off against ‘The Sandman’ at the event. However, John Wood has revealed something quite significant. The Syndicate MMA head coach believes that ‘The Machine’ is actually more dangerous than ever, and his overall fighting style has evolved noticeably. 

John Wood believes ‘The Machine’ is more dangerous than ever  

UFC fans know Merab Dvalishvili for his relentless grappling and suffocating pressure. Fueled by a gas tank that never seems to empty. But knocking opponents out was never his trademark. Until now! ‘The Machine’s head coach has revealed that the reigning 135 lbs champ is done settling for decisions. Instead, he’s aiming to hurt people.

In his interview with Home of Fight, Syndicate MMA’s John Wood said, “It really is just Merab believing in himself in a different fashion now. He’s not just this grinder who’s going to take you down a thousand times. He’s looking to hurt you. He’s looking to finish you. He’s looking to create devastating, entertaining fights.”

That’s a major shift! While Merab has built a loyal fanbase with his grinding style, he’s also faced criticism over his striking power. His last knockout came against Marlon Moraes at UFC 266—four years ago. Now, with Cory Sandhagen ahead, all eyes will be on whether Merab can silence those doubts with a statement finish.

So, what do you think—will Merab unleash a new version of himself at UFC 320, or is an upset brewing? Drop your thoughts below!