Robelis Despaigne
The Bad Boy
Cuba
Obliterates JDS after slow start
Despaigne defeated Junior dos Santos via KO (punches) at 2:59 of Round 1 at MVP MMA 1 in Inglewood on Saturday.
ANALYSIS
Despaigne was expected to walk over the aging veteran, but it wasn't quite so easy, as the Cuban fighter ate heavy leg kicks that took him clean off his feet early. Despite this, "Cigano" failed on his takedown attempts and was limited with attacks from range, which allowed Despaigne to back him to the fence and unload with a three-punch combination for the knockout. Despaigne called out Francis Ngannou after the victory, and while it would be interesting to see "The Predator" as the smaller man in a matchup, Despaigne is only two fights removed from a loss to Austen Lane, who can diplomatically be called the bottom rung of the UFC's heavyweight division. Despaigne improved to 6-2-0 in professional MMA due to the victory.
Despaigne was expected to walk over the aging veteran, but it wasn't quite so easy, as the Cuban fighter ate heavy leg kicks that took him clean off his feet early. Despite this, "Cigano" failed on his takedown attempts and was limited with attacks from range, which allowed Despaigne to back him to the fence and unload with a three-punch combination for the knockout. Despaigne called out Francis Ngannou after the victory, and while it would be interesting to see "The Predator" as the smaller man in a matchup, Despaigne is only two fights removed from a loss to Austen Lane, who can diplomatically be called the bottom rung of the UFC's heavyweight division. Despaigne improved to 6-2-0 in professional MMA due to the victory.
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Again can't defend takedown
Despaigne lost to Austen Lane via unanimous decision (28-29, 28-29, 28-29) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
This loss figures to just about do it as far as Depaigne's future potential in the heavyweight division. A former bronze medalist in the 2012 Summer OIympics in London, Robelis simply cannot defend a takedown. He gave up three to Lane on eight attempts, spending the vast majority of both Rounds 1 and 3 on his back. That torpedoed any chance he had of winning a decision. Already 36 years of age and with all of seven pro MMA fights under his belt, it's difficult to see Despaigne being able to make the necessary adjustments to succeed at this level.
This loss figures to just about do it as far as Depaigne's future potential in the heavyweight division. A former bronze medalist in the 2012 Summer OIympics in London, Robelis simply cannot defend a takedown. He gave up three to Lane on eight attempts, spending the vast majority of both Rounds 1 and 3 on his back. That torpedoed any chance he had of winning a decision. Already 36 years of age and with all of seven pro MMA fights under his belt, it's difficult to see Despaigne being able to make the necessary adjustments to succeed at this level.
Next fight scheduled
Despaigne is scheduled to compete against Austen Lane in a heavyweight fight at UFC Vegas 98 on Oct. 19, per Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl.
ANALYSIS
Despaigne will try to redeem himself from a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC St. Louis last May. Lane has not won any fights since signing a UFC contract, and Despaigne will look to keep it that way.
Despaigne will try to redeem himself from a loss to Waldo Cortes-Acosta at UFC St. Louis last May. Lane has not won any fights since signing a UFC contract, and Despaigne will look to keep it that way.
Grounded in first pro loss
Despaigne lost to Waldo Cortes-Acosta via unanimous decision (27-30, 27-30, 27-30) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in St. Louis.
ANALYSIS
Entering as a -250 favorite despite having all of five professional fights under his belt, we got our answer as to what happens if Depaigne doesn't score an immediate knockout, and the answer was not good. Robelis gave up one takedown in each round, ultimately spending 9:49 of the 15-minute bout being controlled on the mat. His gas tank was predictably depleted following all the grappling he was forced to do, and that allowed Waldo to survive the limited striking exchanges between the two. Despaigne is obviously a high-level athlete, but he has virtually no MMA experience and will be 36 years of age this coming August. The odds are against him putting it all together and making a run with the UFC.
Entering as a -250 favorite despite having all of five professional fights under his belt, we got our answer as to what happens if Depaigne doesn't score an immediate knockout, and the answer was not good. Robelis gave up one takedown in each round, ultimately spending 9:49 of the 15-minute bout being controlled on the mat. His gas tank was predictably depleted following all the grappling he was forced to do, and that allowed Waldo to survive the limited striking exchanges between the two. Despaigne is obviously a high-level athlete, but he has virtually no MMA experience and will be 36 years of age this coming August. The odds are against him putting it all together and making a run with the UFC.
Quick turnaround scheduled
Despaigne is scheduled to fight Waldo Cortes-Acosta in a heavyweight fight at UFC St. Louis on May 11, per Nolan King of MMAJunkie.com.
ANALYSIS
Just 10 days after defeating Josh Parisian in 18 seconds at UFC 299, Despaigne has agreed to another fight. This time, he will fight someone on a winning streak, which includes wins over Lukasz Brzeski and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.
Just 10 days after defeating Josh Parisian in 18 seconds at UFC 299, Despaigne has agreed to another fight. This time, he will fight someone on a winning streak, which includes wins over Lukasz Brzeski and former UFC Heavyweight Champion Andrei Arlovski.
Wins UFC debut in 18 seconds
Despaigne defeated Josh Parisian via TKO (punches) at 0:18 of Round 1 at UFC 299 on Saturday in Miami.
ANALYSIS
Despaigne is one of the more interesting additions to the heavyweight division in recent memory. He's 35 years of age and this was just his fifth professional bout, but he's won all five via knockout, in addition to holding a bronze medal from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in taekwondo. One massive right hand off his back foot was all it took to put Parisian away. Despaigne's age and inexperience in MMA suggest growing pains will be forthcoming, but his physical skills are evident. In the meantime, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his highlight-reel effort here.
Despaigne is one of the more interesting additions to the heavyweight division in recent memory. He's 35 years of age and this was just his fifth professional bout, but he's won all five via knockout, in addition to holding a bronze medal from the 2012 Summer Olympics in London in taekwondo. One massive right hand off his back foot was all it took to put Parisian away. Despaigne's age and inexperience in MMA suggest growing pains will be forthcoming, but his physical skills are evident. In the meantime, he'll walk away with a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus for his highlight-reel effort here.