Robelis Despaigne

by | Mar 17, 2024 | Ultimate Fighting Videos

Cuban taekwondo practitioner and mixed martial artist

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Robelis Despaigne (born 9 August 1988), is a Cuban taekwondo practitioner and professional mixed martial artist.[1][2] He currently competes in the heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background[edit]

Robelis Despaigne spent his formative years in Cuba, where he began practicing taekwondo at nine years old. Seven years into his training, Despaigne earned a spot on the national taekwondo team—a position he held for 15 years. The pinnacle of his taekwondo career came in 2012 when he represented Cuba in the Olympic Games held in London, clinching a bronze medal in the heavyweight category.[3]

In 2012, amidst rumblings of dissatisfaction with the state of sports in Cuba, he decided to make a significant shift. “I was losing love for the sport in 2012. A lot was going on in Cuba where I wasn’t really happy about the sport,” Despaigne explained. Encouraged by his coach to explore mixed martial arts (MMA), he initially hesitated due to concerns about the knockout-heavy reputation of the sport. Eventually, after watching fights and realizing his potential, Despaigne made the decision to venture into the world of MMA.[3]

In 2019, he commenced MMA-specific training in Cuba, incorporating grappling into his routine. Faced with pandemic-related delays, Despaigne made the pivotal decision to relocate to Orlando, Florida, in 2022, where he continues to reside and train.[3]

Taekwondo career[edit]

Despaigne won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the +80 kg event.[2] He beat Chika Yagazie Chukwumerije in the first round, before losing to Anthony Obame in sudden death in the quarterfinal. Because Obame reached the final Despaigne was entered into the repechage. There he beat Kaino Thomsen-Fuataga, with the fight stopped because of the points difference. He beat Daba Modibo Keita in his bronze medal match by walkover as Keita could not compete due to injury.[2]

Mixed martial arts career[edit]

Early career[edit]

Despaigne made his MMA debut against Katuma Mulumba on 3 June 2022 at Titan FC 77. He won the bout at the end of the first round via TKO stoppage.[4] He then recorded three fights in 2023, winning all by knockout in less than 20 seconds.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship[edit]

Despaigne was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December 2023[6]

Despaigne faced Josh Parisian on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[7] He won the fight via knockout 18 seconds into the first round.[8] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[9]

Championships and accomplishments[edit]

Mixed martial arts[edit]

Mixed martial arts record[edit]

[11]

References[edit]

.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%;margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}

  • ^ .mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:”””””””‘””‘”}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url(“//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg”)right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url(“//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg”)right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url(“//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg”)right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url(“//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg”)right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:#d33}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#3a3;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}“Robelis Despaigne”. London2012.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  • ^ a b c “Robelis Despaigne Bio, Stats, and Results”. Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  • ^ a b c “Hulking new UFC signee Robelis Despaigne details journey from Olympics to MMA, vows to be champion”. MMA Junkie. 11 December 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2023.
  • ^ “Titan FC 77 Results – Pena vs Wurlitzer”. MMA Sucka. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  • ^ “Robelis Despaigne MMA Record”. Tapology. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  • ^ “UFC signs massive 6-foot-7 Olympian Robelis Despaigne on the spot after 4-second KO”. MMA Junkie. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  • ^ “Robelis Despaigne to debut on stacked UFC 299 lineup in Miami”. MMA Junkie. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  • ^ Bitter, Shawn (10 March 2024). “Robelis Despaigne Makes Quick Work Of Parisian With 18 Second KO”. Cageside Press. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  • ^ a b Dan Hiergesell (9 March 2024). “Bonuses! Dustin Poirier’s epic war with Benoit Saint Denis earns FOTN honors – UFC 299”. mmamania.com. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
  • ^ “UFC 299 post-event facts: Dustin Poirier climbs several key all-time lists”. MMA Junkie. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  • ^ “Robelis Despaigne MMA Stats”. Sherdog. Sherdog. Retrieved 6 June 2022.

    • External links[edit]



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