Robelis Despaigne: A Potential Shift to Boxing
Robelis Despaigne, who once showcased his talents in the UFC heavyweight division and secured a bronze medal in taekwondo at the 2012 Olympics, is reigniting conversations about a potential switch to boxing. The allure of fighters with extraordinary knockout power has a rich history — with figures like Mike Tyson and Deontay Wilder capturing fans’ imaginations. Despaigne, nicknamed “The Big Boy Fighter”, further validated his striking prowess on July 18 in Miami during an intense eight-man Karate Combat tournament, ultimately paving his way to challenge champion Sam Alvey.
Tournament Highlights
In the tournament, Despaigne opened with a decisive unanimous decision victory over Saulo Cavalari, a former GLORY light-heavyweight champion, demonstrating that his tactical timing is as formidable as his raw power. This win signifies a strong rebuttal to the UFC’s decision to part ways with him after just three fights due to concerns about his grappling skills. It’s this very gap in his ground game that has grabbed the attention of boxing promoters, hoping to see him make a major career shift akin to the path taken by the late Kimbo Slice.
As the tournament progressed, Despaigne continued to show his potential, knocking out Tim Johnson in just 20 seconds during the semi-final with a devastating punch. This knockout adds to a remarkable highlight reel which features his past performances, including three rapid-fire stoppages of six, three, and thirteen seconds that had initially drawn Dana White’s interest.
UFC Career and Transition
Despaigne’s UFC debut was against Josh Parisian at UFC 299, where he achieved a knockout only 18 seconds into the first round and earned the Performance of the Night award. However, his subsequent fights against strategists Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane, who utilized evasive tactics, didn’t showcase enough growth in Despaigne’s grappling, leading to his release from the UFC.
Transitioning to Karate Combat, Despaigne quickly regained his momentum, culminating in a recent final victory over fellow ex-UFC fighter Zac Pauga, a bout so one-sided that it forced the ringside doctor to intervene. These three consecutive victories have positioned Despaigne as a strong contender against Alvey, with many speculating his dominance could earn him the title.
Looking Ahead
As he recovers from injuries sustained during his tournament climb — including fractures to his hands and toes — Despaigne is optimistic about his future.
“I thank Karate Combat for the chance and appreciate the unwavering support from my team and fans. I’ll be back soon, so remember — ‘Don’t Touch Me!'”
he remarked lightheartedly, showing his readiness for the challenges ahead.
His upcoming showdown with Alvey is expected to be pivotal. Should he emerge victorious and make successful title defenses, the boxing community anticipates Despaigne may explore entering the boxing ring, hoping to channel his lethal knockout ability into a new arena.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a distinguished boxing reporter with over 15 years of experience covering prominent events in global fight sports. As the Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, he has reported from ringside and interviewed numerous world champions in the realm of boxing.
