TLDR
- Robelis Despaigne was released from UFC in 2024 after back-to-back losses exposed his weak ground game
- The Cuban heavyweight won a Karate Combat title and knocked out Junior dos Santos while away from UFC
- Despaigne says he spent his time outside the Octagon working on his wrestling and grappling
- He returns to face Tai Tuivasa at UFC 331 on September 19 in Los Angeles
- Despite his 6-2 record, Despaigne still aims to win the UFC heavyweight championship
Sources: yardbarker.com | sherdog.com
Robelis Despaigne will return to the UFC on Saturday night after spending more than a year rebuilding his career. The Cuban heavyweight says he fixed the wrestling problems that got him cut from the promotion in 2024.
Despaigne made a stunning UFC debut two years ago with an 18-second knockout of Josh Parisian. The Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist came into the promotion with four straight finishes and a combined cage time of just over five minutes.
But his weaknesses showed quickly. Wrestlers Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane beat Despaigne in back-to-back fights by taking him to the ground and controlling him there. The UFC released him before the end of 2024.
"I gained about a year of experience outside of the UFC and now I feel much more confident."
Robelis Despaigne returns to the Octagon looking to make a run to the heavyweight belt #CryptoCom #UFC331
Fight by Fight Preview ➡️ https://t.co/2W2Xoossxa pic.twitter.com/hy3tN4gAKU
— UFC News (@UFCNews) September 16, 2026
Time Away Focused on Wrestling Training
Despaigne stayed busy during his year outside the UFC. He competed in Karate Combat and won the heavyweight title in that organization.
He also returned to mixed martial arts this past May at a Jake Paul promotion called Most Valuable Promotions. Despaigne knocked out former UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos in the first round at the event.
The fighter told reporters he used his time away to work on the grappling skills that failed him in his first UFC run. He now carries a 6-2 professional record into his UFC comeback.
“I gained about a year of experience outside of the UFC,” Despaigne said in a recent interview. “And now that I’m returning, I have much more confidence in myself.”
The 36-year-old fighter said the main change is his improved ground game. “The main difference is that I’ve got a lot of experience and I’ve worked on my ground game,” he explained.
Tuivasa Fight Marks Return to Big Stage
Despaigne will face Tai Tuivasa at UFC 331 on September 19 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. The fight marks his first appearance on a numbered UFC event since his promotional debut.
Tuivasa brings a 14-10 record into the bout. The Australian fighter is known for his knockout power and entertaining fighting style.
For Despaigne, the matchup represents a chance to prove he has addressed his weaknesses. His first UFC stint ended after just three fights when the promotion decided his lack of wrestling defense was too big a problem.
The Cuban heavyweight said he remains focused on reaching the top of the division. “As always, I’m highly ambitious and my goal is to get the UFC belt,” he told reporters.
Despaigne expressed gratitude for getting another opportunity with the organization. “I am happy to be back and thankful to the UFC for giving me the opportunity to make my return,” he said.
The fighter described his upcoming bout as a “welcome party” and promised to give everything to earn a victory. His improved grappling skills will be tested against Tuivasa, though the Australian is primarily known as a striker rather than a wrestler.
UFC 331 takes place Saturday night in Los Angeles with Despaigne’s heavyweight bout on the card.
