The UFC’s heavyweight division does not have many stars. Which is surprising given the immense, fight-ending power that heavyweights carry in their hands. With Francis Ngannou out and Stipe Miocic and Jon Jones‘ retirements on the horizon, it will be even more depleted in the near future.

Which is why the promotion has signed Cuban heavyweight phenom Robelis Despaigne to its roster despite him only having fought in four professional MMA fights and being 36 years old. The main reason behind this is the Cuban’s potential to be the next big thing in the UFC’s heavyweight division.

Which medal did Robelis Despaigne win at the Olympics?

Robelis Despaigne was born in the Cuban metropolis of Santiago de Cuba. He took up martial arts at the age of nine and found a lot of success. Within seven years of beginning his martial arts journey, he had managed to carve a place for himself on the Cuban national taekwondo team.

Trending

Bronny in Deep Waters as $800,000 Suffering Forces LeBron James’ Son to End College Career With Major Declining Numbers

April 27, 2024 01:45 PM EDT

Exclusive: Michael McDowell Reportedly the “Snitch” Who Got NASCAR Team Kicked Out at Talladega

April 26, 2024 07:44 PM EDT

Struggling Richard Childress Camp Warned of Kyle Busch’s Wrath by HMS Legend

April 27, 2024 06:58 PM EDT

Lakers Advised To Terminate LeBron James’ $99 Million Contract, a Move That Could Save His Legacy

April 28, 2024 06:14 AM EDT

Another Loss for Sha’Carri Richardson, Faces Defeat to Great Britain’s Olympian at Shanghai Diamond League

April 27, 2024 02:12 PM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest Olympics stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

And Despaigne would go on to be a feature of the national team for the next fifteen years and have a distinguished taekwondo career representing Cuba. The highlight of his taekwondo career, however, was his 2012 bronze medal win at the London Olympics.

In addition to his Olympic glory, Despaigne has also represented Cuba in various international tournaments, including the World Championships, where he has won two bronze medals in 2015 and 2017. And it seems this championship pedigree has helped him transition seamlessly to MMA, where he has emerged as one of the most promising up-and-coming prospects.

Robelis Despaigne’s impressive MMA career

After his storied taekwondo career, Robeslis Despaigne decided to transition to mixed martial arts, reportedly over discontent with how sports were being run in Cuba. And the Cuban has made an impact on the spot right away, notching up four quick wins within one year.

Read more: Sean O’Malley Confesses Bizarre Umar Nurmagomedov Interaction: “We’re Gonna Fight Someday”

The manner in which he won was even more impressive and has won him a contract with the world’s biggest and most popular MMA promotion. The Cuban has knocked out every opponent he has faced so far in the first round.

This is why he is being seen as a potential star in the heavyweight division if he manages to live up to the hype. All eyes are now on his UFC 299 clash against Josh Parisian, which will be most fans’ first look at the dynamic and exciting heavyweight. The Cuban is expected to win the fight and is the betting favorite going into the fight. However, as we are reminded again and again, strange things can happen in mixed martial arts, especially at heavyweight, where one punch can end the fight.

UFC 299: Sean O’Malley Promises to Repeat Israel Adesanya’s Miami Feat at Marlon Vera Fight