Robelis Despaigne
BornRobelis Despaigne Sanquet
(1988-08-09) 9 August 1988
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Other namesThe Bad Boy
Height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight258 lb (117 kg; 18 st 6 lb)
DivisionHeavyweight
Reach87 in (221 cm)
StyleTaekwondo
Fighting out ofFlorida, United States
RankBlack belt in Taekwondo
Years active2022–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total4
Wins4
By knockout4
Losses0
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog
Medal record
Representing  Cuba
Men's taekwondo
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place2012 London+80 kg
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place 2013 Puebla Heavyweight
Bronze medal – third place2015 Chelyabinsk Heavyweight
Universiade
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Shenzhen Heavyweight
Central American and Caribbean Games
Gold medal – first place 2014 Veracruz Heavyweight

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

Background

Robelis Despaigne spent his formative years in Cuba, where he immersed himself in the discipline of taekwondo at the tender age of nine. Seven years into his training, Despaigne achieved a remarkable feat by earning a coveted spot on the national taekwondo team—a position he held with distinction for an impressive 15 years. The pinnacle of his taekwondo career came in 2012 when he proudly represented Cuba in the Olympic Games held in London, clinching a bronze medal in the heavyweight category.[3]

However, even during the peak of his success in taekwondo, Despaigne found himself grappling with a growing discontent. 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 bold decision to venture into the world of MMA.[3]

Equipped with a college degree in physical training, Despaigne could have opted for a conventional career, but his passion for combat sports led him in a different direction. 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

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

Early career

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 fight in 2023, winning all by knockout in less than 15 seconds.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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

Despaigne is scheduled to face Josh Parisian on March 9, 2024, at UFC 299.[7]

Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown
4 matches 4 wins 0 losses
By knockout 4 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 4–0 Miles Banks KO (punch) Fury FC 84 3 December 2023 1 0:04 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Stevie Payne TKO (punches) Fury Challenger Series 7 24 September 2023 1 0:03 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Travis Gregoire TKO (punches) Fury FC 80 25 June 2023 1 0:12 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 Katuma Mulumba TKO (punches) Titan FC 77 3 June 2022 1 4:54 Miramar, Florida, United States

[8]

References

  1. ↑ "Robelis Despaigne". London2012.com. Archived from the original on 28 January 2013. Retrieved 8 August 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 "Robelis Despaigne Bio, Stats, and Results". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on 18 April 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 "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.
  4. ↑ "Titan FC 77 Results - Pena vs Wurlitzer". MMA Sucka. 3 June 2022. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  5. ↑ "Robelis Despaigne MMA Record". Tapology. 6 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "Robelis Despaigne to debut on stacked UFC 299 lineup in Miami". MMA Junkie. 9 January 2024. Retrieved 9 January 2024.
  8. ↑ "Robelis Despaigne MMA Stats". Sherdog. Sherdog. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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