The UFC releasing heavyweight Robelis Despaigne could possibly be boxing’s acquire because the big-punching knockout artist appears to be like for redemption.
Dana White secured Despaigne a UFC contract after the Cuban scored 4 knockouts in 37 seconds between June 2023 and March 2024. The publicity was intense, as followers anticipated early finishes, with a possible world title shot coming inside a couple of years.
Nevertheless, the blueprint went stomach up instantly for Despaigne because of his lack of wrestling expertise. Relying solely on his concussion energy, Despaigne misplaced to Waldo Cortes-Acosta on his Could 11 UFC debut earlier than succumbing to Austen Lane final month similarly.
As quickly as Despaigne obtained grounded, the fights had been successfully over regardless of guarantees from the Taekwondo skilled that he’d study from his first defeat. Talking earlier than the Lane conflict throughout coaching camp, Despaigne was certain he’d completed sufficient work to enhance.
“I had a possibility to do some exchanges and to coach with heavyweights. Rodrigo Nascimento, [Marcos] Rogerio De Lima, and Renan Ferreira, as nicely. I obtained to coach with all of them and a few Russian athletes there, too. However I assumed it was a cool expertise,” Despaigne informed UFC.com earlier than promising to put all of it on the road.
“I by no means thought I used to be going to be right here, but it surely ended up taking place. I mentioned that I used to be going to do it, and I made it. However I feel we ready ourselves for this battle. I feel we eradicated a few of the stuff that occurred within the final battle, and we’re going to go for it.”
Throughout his explosive introduction to UFC, Despaigne admitted feeling stress virtually instantly.
“As quickly as I got here in, I got here with that hype. So it simply occurred. I feel it’s due to the type that I’ve. I’m not serious about the gang [and the knockout expectations]– that’s simply what I’m, proper? That’s my preventing type. In order that’s who I’m.”
Despaigne then predicted a “first-round end” to the battle earlier than taking place to a different resolution over three rounds.
UFC chiefs moved to drop Despaigne like a scorching brick, resulting in musings that the powerhouse may have a brief future in boxing. Like Kimbo Slice earlier than him, beginning late in pugilism can nonetheless be advantageous with a fearsome status for knockouts. Despaigne would acquire way more publicity and publicity from a run in boxing till he ended his fight profession.
He’d have to maneuver swiftly if one of many high promoters takes a punt on Despaigne, who wouldn’t break the bank to advertise and will generate pleasure for so long as his boxing spell lasted.
If a run within the squared circle doesn’t come to fruition, Despaigne may retire, not figuring out simply how far his concussion one-punch energy may have taken him.
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Learn all articles and unique interviews by Phil Jay. Be taught extra concerning the writer, skilled boxing author, and World Boxing Information Editor since 2010. Comply with on Twitter @PhilJWBN.
