TLDR
- Fabricio Werdum predicts Robelis Despaigne would knock out Francis Ngannou if they fought at MVP MMA
- Both fighters won by first-round knockout at Saturday’s Rousey versus Carano card on Netflix
- Werdum cited Despaigne’s reach, speed, and precision as advantages over Ngannou
- Despaigne is an Olympic bronze medalist in taekwondo who left the UFC in 2024
- Ngannou has never been knocked out in his MMA career and is considering fights with Jake Paul or Jon Jones
Sources: BJPenn | SportBible | Sherdog | MMA Fighting
Former UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Werdum believes Robelis Despaigne would become the first fighter to knock out Francis Ngannou inside the cage. Werdum made the prediction in an interview with Sherdog following last weekend’s Most Valuable Promotions event.
Ngannou returned to mixed martial arts on Saturday at the Ronda Rousey versus Gina Carano card, knocking out Philipe Lins in the first round. It was his first MMA fight since his lone Professional Fighters League appearance in October 2024.
Despaigne also competed on the same card, stopping former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in under three minutes. The Cuban fighter left the UFC in 2024 and has since called out Ngannou for a potential matchup.
OH MY GOD.
Robelis Despaigne has just caught a body and knocked out Junior Dos Santos!
DEAD. 🥶 pic.twitter.com/l7XqmeOsCE
— Violent Rounds (@Violent_Rounds) May 17, 2026
Werdum Explains Why Despaigne Wins
Werdum told Sherdog he is 99 percent sure Despaigne would defeat Ngannou by knockout. He cited Despaigne’s reach, speed, and precision as factors that make him a terrible matchup for the former UFC champion.
“I had a great rivalry with ‘Cigano,’ but after our last fight we became friends,” Werdum said, referring to dos Santos by his nickname. “When I saw the Cuban’s fights in Karate Combat, I commented in the WhatsApp group where Rafael Cordeiro, Lyoto and Wanderlei are.”
Werdum admitted he initially supported dos Santos before their fight. “All the support is for daddy ‘Cigano,’ but I didn’t think it was going to happen,” he said.
Despaigne is an Olympic bronze medalist in taekwondo with explosive striking ability. His athletic background gives him unique advantages in the heavyweight division, where speed is often sacrificed for power.
Ngannou’s Future Options at MVP
Ngannou has several potential opponents under the Most Valuable Promotions banner following his victory over Lins. He engaged in a viral backstage confrontation with Jake Paul at Saturday’s event, fueling speculation about a possible fight between them.
Paul’s promotion drew massive viewership for its first MMA card. Netflix’s viewership peaked at 17 million viewers, while the gate reached $2.2 million at the Intuit Dome.
Ngannou has also expressed interest in fights with Jon Jones under the MVP banner. The promotion appears to be positioning itself as a home for high-profile crossover fights and former UFC stars.
Despaigne’s quick finish of dos Santos puts him in position to secure a marquee matchup next. His callout of Ngannou has gained traction among fans and fighters since Saturday’s event.
The Cuban striker parted ways with the UFC after a brief stint in 2024. His move to MVP and subsequent knockout victory have raised his profile in the heavyweight division.
Ngannou has never been knocked out in his MMA career. Werdum’s prediction that Despaigne could achieve this feat has generated buzz in the combat sports community over the past few days.
