Robelis Despaigne

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Robelis Despaigne
Born Robelis Despaigne Sanquet[1]
(1988-09-09) 9 September 1988 (age 36)
Santiago de Cuba, Cuba
Other names The Big Boy
Height 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Weight 265 lb (120 kg; 18 st 13 lb)
Division Heavyweight
Reach 84 in[2]
Style Taekwondo
Fighting out of Orlando, Florida, U.S.
Rank 4th degree black belt in Taekwondo[3]
Years active 2022–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total 7
Wins 5
By knockout 5
Losses 2
By decision 2
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Robelis Despaigne Sanquet (born 9 September 1988) is a Cuban professional mixed martial artist and taekwondo practitioner. He currently competes in the Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). He won the bronze medal on Taekwondo at the 2012 Summer Olympics - Men's for 80 kg.[4][5]

Background

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.[6]

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.[6]

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.[6]

Taekwondo career

Despaigne won the bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics in the +80 kg event.[5] 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.[5]

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.[7] He then recorded three fights in 2023, winning all by knockout in less than 20 seconds.[8]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Despaigne was signed by the Ultimate Fighting Championship in December 2023.[9]

Despaigne faced Josh Parisian on 9 March 2024, at UFC 299.[10] He won the fight via knockout 18 seconds into the first round.[11] This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.[12]

Despaigne faced Waldo Cortes-Acosta on 11 May 2024, at UFC on ESPN 56.[13] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[14]

Despaigne faced Austen Lane on 19 October 2024 at UFC Fight Night 245.[15] He lost the fight by unanimous decision.[16]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts

Mixed martial arts record

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 5–2 Austen Lane Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Hernandez vs. Pereira October 19, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 5–1 Waldo Cortes-Acosta Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento May 11, 2024 3 5:00 St. Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 5–0 Josh Parisian TKO (punches) UFC 299 March 9, 2024 1 0:18 Miami, Florida, United States Performance of the Night.
Win 4–0 Miles Banks KO (punch) Fury FC 84 December 3, 2023 1 0:04 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 3–0 Stevie Payne TKO (punches) Fury Challenger Series 7 September 24, 2023 1 0:03 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 2–0 Travis Gregoire TKO (punches) Fury FC 80 June 25, 2023 1 0:12 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 1–0 Katuma Mulumba TKO (punches) Titan FC 77 June 3, 2022 1 4:54 Miramar, Florida, United States Heavyweight debut.

[19]

References

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External links