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Robelis Despaigne, the Cuban taekwondo Olympian turned MMA fighter, is set to make his second appearance in the Karate Combat pit on January 24. Promotion officials confirmed that the heavyweight will face seasoned MMA veteran Marcos Brigagao on the main card of the event in Miami.
Despaigne’s debut with Karate Combat in December was nothing short of spectacular. In just four seconds, he delivered a knockout against Dominik Jedrzejczyk, setting the record for the fastest finish in the promotion's history. This stunning performance underscored Despaigne’s striking prowess and solidified his reputation as a dynamic finisher.
Before he transitioned to Karate Combat, Despaigne had a notable run in MMA. After earning a UFC contract with three rapid-fire knockouts, he continued his explosive debut trend by stopping Josh Parisian in just 18 seconds. However, back-to-back decision losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane marked the end of his UFC tenure.
Following his departure, Despaigne joined Karate Combat and signed up with the Global Fight League (GFL). While his Karate Combat journey has begun with a bang, his debut under the GFL banner is still pending.
Brigagao, Despaigne’s opponent, brings a wealth of experience to the Karate Combat pit. The Brazilian fighter made headlines with an 11-0 start in MMA, which earned him a spot on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2019. Although he fell short against Jamal Pogues, Brigagao has since competed in high-profile bouts, including a shot at the LFA light heavyweight title in early 2024. His most recent fight, a bare-knuckle MMA contest against Guto Inocente at Gamebred, ended in a loss last November.
As Despaigne builds on his record-breaking debut, Brigagao aims to reinvigorate his career in this Karate Combat showdown. With both fighters eager to make a statement, the Miami event promises fireworks in the heavyweight division.
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