Robelis Despaigne won an eight-man heavyweight tournament earlier tonight (Fri., July 18, 2025) at Karate Combat 55 LIVE on YouTube from Miami, Fla., capturing three victories in total including a brutal 20-second knockout over a former UFC fighter.
It’s no secret that Despaigne has cleaned up under the Karate Combat banner since parting ways with UFC back in Oct. 2024. Entering tonight’s tournament, Despaigne had turned in a 3-0 record with all wins coming by way of knockout. In incredible fashion,
Despaigne earned those finishes in a total of just 24 seconds (no, that’s not a typo).
On Friday, Despaigne’s knockout streak came to an end, but he was still about to capture a unanimous decision win over Saulo Calavari in the opening round of the heavyweight tournament. However, the towering Cuban striker got back to his heavy-hitting ways in a semi-final matchup against fellow UFC outcast, Tim Johnson. Despaigne put old Timmy out in just 20 seconds.
Check it out below:
Robelis Despaigne KO's Tim Johnson in 20 seconds. Advances to the HW tournament finals #KC55 pic.twitter.com/2ObqOqTtPE
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) July 19, 2025
In the tournament finale, Despaigne went to war with yet another former UFC heavyweight, Zac Pauga. There was little Pauga could do to keep Despaigne off of him in the first round. Despaigne unloaded heavy combinations and solid counter punches inside whenever Pauga was able to close the distance. Pauga was pretty battered after the first three minutes so he was closely looked at in between rounds. The doctor eventually ruled Pauga unable to continue due to a badly swollen right eye.
It wasn’t the greatest ending to Despaigne’s memorable tournament run, but it still lines him up to face Karate Combat heavyweight champion Sam Alvey later this year.
Doctors calls off the fight!
— COMBAT SPORTS TODAY (@CSTodayNews) July 19, 2025
Robelis Despaigne defeats Zac Pauga via first round TKO to win the Karate Combat 8-Man Heavyweight Tournament
Robelis earns a heavyweight title shot against Sam Alvey. #KC55 pic.twitter.com/0wjQY4xi24
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