Karate Combat Heavyweight champion Sam Alvey attempted to defend his crown opposite former UFC knockout artist Robelis Despaigne last night (Fri., Dec. 5, 2025) at Karate Combat 58 LIVE on YouTube from
inside Univision Studios in Dora, Florida.
At 39 years of age, Sam Alvey found a second wind inside the Karate Combat pit. After going on a historically bad run to end his UFC career, Alvey put together a five-fight unbeaten streak in Karate Combat to win and defend the Heavyweight title. Prior to this bout, Alvey shocked the world by stopping kickboxing great Tyrone Spong (watch here).
For the second time in a row, most fans were expecting the title to change hands. Despaigne’s UFC career was plagued by his grappling inexperience, but the Cuban Olympian is a massive striker with incredible knockout power. He towered over Alvey at weigh-ins and was widely favored to end the “Smile’n” run.
The fight began with Despaigne advancing, backing Alvey into the side of the pit early. He blasted Alvey with some hard kicks in the opening minute, knocking Alvey around. Alvey didn’t throw much from the outside. He mostly circled away for the entire first round. In the closing seconds, Alvey clinched, tried a throw, and landed a short punch.
Despaigne opened the second with a hard right hand down the middle. Alvey was looking to counter Despaigne’s cross, but he was coming up short. Meanwhile, Despaigne blasted him with kicks. Suddenly, a Despaigne right hand floored Alvey! Alvey returned to his feet but looked out of sorts. The commentary screamed to stop the fight, but instead, Despaigne sealed the deal with a vicious high kick.
Check out the finish below:
Well .. there was no miracle this time around. Despaigne picked apart Alvey in patient fashion, kicking him to pieces then dropping the hammer with powerful straight hands. Despaigne was too big and too sharp for Alvey, an incredibly tough man who was hopelessly outmatched here.
Final Result: Despaigne defeats Alvey via second-round knockout
