Olympic bronze medalist moved to UFC
Robelis Despaigne, a highly regarded heavyweight prospect and Cuban judo Olympian, will make his UFC debut at UFC 299 against Josh Parisian. Despaigne, known for his taekwondo skills and impressive record in MMA, is set to face Parisian on March 9 at Kaseya Center in Miami. After an impressive performance at Fury FC 84, Despaigne caught the attention of UFC matchmaker Mick Maynard, who offered him a multi-fight deal. With his eyes set on future title fights, Despaigne is determined to make a mark in the UFC.
Meanwhile, Parisian, an experienced fighter with a background in "The Ultimate Fighter" and Dana White's Contender Series, is looking to bounce back from a two-fight losing streak and regain his momentum.
Robelis Despaigne, born on August 9, 1988, is a Cuban taekwondo practitioner and mixed martial artist who competes in the heavyweight division of the UFC.
Despaigne began his journey in taekwondo at the age of nine in Cuba and quickly rose to the national team, where he had a successful 15-year career. His greatest achievement in taekwondo came in 2012 when he won a bronze medal in the heavyweight category at the Olympic Games in London.
Despite his success in taekwondo, Despaigne grew disillusioned with the sport and decided to transition to mixed martial arts in 2012. Initially hesitant due to the sport's reputation for knockouts, he eventually embraced the challenge and began MMA-specific training in Cuba in 2019. In 2022, Despaigne relocated to Orlando, Florida, to continue his training.
In his MMA career, Despaigne made his debut in 2022 and quickly gained attention with three knockout wins in less than 15 seconds each. He was signed by the UFC in December 2023 and is scheduled to face Josh Parisian at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024.
Despaigne's transition from taekwondo to MMA showcases his determination and passion for combat sports, and he continues to make waves in the MMA world with his impressive performances.
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