Robelis Despaigne is set to return to MMA in a high-profile matchup against former UFC champion Junior Dos Santos at MVP MMA's inaugural card, which will be shown on Netflix.
Despaigne enters the bout with a professional MMA record of 5-2. He debuted in the UFC in 2024, stopping Josh Perisan in just 18 seconds and earning a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus, before dropping unanimous decisions to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austin Lane and being released from the promotion. He later competed in Karate Combat before booking this comeback fight.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Despaigne said, "I never imagined this," and added, "I thought I would get the call from PFL or just continue in Karate Combat. This is a very good opportunity because this is a new company. It's on Netflix, and I'm part of the first MMA event on Netflix. That's a plus for me. Also, the fight is against Junior Dos Santos. Everyone knows the quality he brings. I think this is going to be a good fight, and a difficult one, because of his experience and everything he brings to a fight. He's a former UFC champion, and you can't take him lightly."
Despaigne, a Cuban fighter with multiple international taekwondo medals including a bronze at the 2012 Olympics, began his MMA career with four first-round knockout wins. Dos Santos brings a 21-10 professional record and is described as primarily a boxer.
