Robelis Despaigne’s hype train completed derailed earlier tonight (Sat., May 11, 2024) at UFC St. Louis live on ESPN from inside Enterprise Center in St. Louis, Missouri, and the combat community took immediate notice.
Despaigne, who is a towering striker at 6’7”, came into his main card fight against heavyweight Waldo Cortes-Acosta with a 5-0 record and four finishes that came in less than 20 seconds. The promotion has done their best to pump up the former Olympic bronze medalist, but he was ultimately exposed at UFC St. Louis.
Cortes-Acosta usually likes to strike, but he implemented a great gameplan by getting inside and forcing the taekwondo specialist to grapple. “Salsa Boy” eventually scored some takedowns and completely controlled Despaigne from top control. Despaigne had little defense to offer and found himself in similar positions every time he returned to his feet.
In the end, Cortes-Acosta pulled off the upset and utilized his wrestling and ground-and-pound for three entire rounds to subdue anything Despaigne wanted to do. It was a great performance from Cortes-Acosta, but the MMA community was more interested in the flop by Despaigne.
Check out some of the social media reaction below and let us know what you think!
Wrestlers looking at Robelis Despaigne like pic.twitter.com/KwJFkxg7YW
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 11, 2024
We all wondered how Despaigne ground game was..dog shit. Pure dog shit.
— ‘Big Gun’ Brian Petrie (@BrianPetrieMMA) May 11, 2024
It really is sink or swim in the UFC and Robelis Despaigne just dropped to the bottom of the ocean with that performance.
Can’t blame Waldo Cortes-Acosta for the path of least resistance for that win. #UFCStLouis
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) May 11, 2024
At this point in his career, Depaigne hasn’t even seen a YouTube jujitsu video.
— Jason Mayhem Miller (@mayhemmiller) May 11, 2024
Ok that told us a lot. #UFCStLouis
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) May 11, 2024
Despaigne’s hands are so low they just got invited to a Diddy party. #UFC
— MMA Roasted (@MMARoasted) May 11, 2024
ok we are back to having zero heavyweights that belong on a main card. Back of the line Despaigne
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) May 11, 2024
Fights like that @ufc are what make the @bareknucklefc look good
LayNPray HW’s , the worst— Big Ben Rothwell (@RothwellFighter) May 11, 2024
Despaigne will be a nice addition when PFL creates their next international series, PFL Cuba
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 11, 2024
Watching Despaigne get wrestle fucked for 3 rounds is like watching a pitcher in the MLB with a 1.3 ERA drop 8 runs in 4 innings. #UFCStLouis
— MacMally (@MacMallyMMA) May 11, 2024
Everybody wanna be in the UFC kids make sure you’re ready for the UFC
— Ali Abdelaziz (@AliAbdelaziz00) May 11, 2024
For more UFC St. Louis results, coverage, and highlights click HERE.