UFC re-signs hulking heavyweight after recent crushing knockout victory

Robelis Despaigne has earned his way back to the UFC following a dominant run outside the organization. Management announced Friday that the 38-year-old Cuban heavyweight has been re-signed to the promotion, though no opponent or return date has been set.

Despaigne's comeback began with a knockout of Junior dos Santos at the inaugural MVP MMA event in May, giving the 6-foot-7 striker his sixth first-round finish across his six wins. That victory followed an extraordinary 12-month run in Karate Combat, where "The Bad Boy" compiled six wins—five by knockout—in dominating fashion. He dispatched Dominik Jedrzejczyk in four seconds, defeated Marcos Brigagao and Roggers Souza in a combined 20 seconds, and stormed through the promotion's Last Man Standing tournament in a single night, outpointing former Glory light heavyweight champion Saulo Cavalari, demolishing UFC veteran Tim Johnson in 20 seconds, and overwhelming fellow ex-UFC fighter Zac Pauga over three minutes.

In December, Despaigne captured the Karate Combat heavyweight title by blasting Sam Alvey—another discarded UFC fighter—with a head kick, capping a remarkable redemption arc. The former kickboxer also signed with the GFL, though that promotion has yet to hold an event despite offering him a matchup against Todd Duffee.

Despaigne's recent success outside the UFC demonstrated enough of a resurgence to warrant a second chance in the organization. At nearly 38, he now aims to prove his explosive striking remains a viable heavyweight commodity at the sport's highest level.