Karate Combat

Exclusive | Robelis Despaigne Is Seeking Super Heavyweight Gold in Karate Combat “I’m here for my belt.”

Robelis Despaigne Karate Combat The Olympics, the UFC, and now Karate Combat get to experience Robelis Despaigne. Starting his journey in taekwondo at…

The Olympics, the UFC, and now Karate Combat get to experience Robelis Despaigne. Starting his journey in taekwondo at just nine years old, Despaigne dedicated 15 years to Cuba’s national team. His career highlight came at the 2012 London Olympics, where he secured a bronze medal in the +80 kg category.

Robelis Despaigne

Despite his Olympic success, Robelis Despaigne grew disillusioned with the state of sports in Cuba and pivoted to mixed martial arts in 2019. Seeking greater opportunities, he relocated to Orlando, Florida, in 2022. It didn’t take long for the heavyweight to make waves in MMA—he won his first five professional bouts via first-round knockouts, establishing himself as a rising star.

The UFC took notice, signing him in December 2023. Robelis Despaigne’s promotional debut at UFC 299 on March 9, 2024, was nothing short of spectacular: an 18-second knockout of Josh Parisian earned him a Performance of the Night bonus. However, his UFC tenure proved brief. Subsequent losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta in May 2024 and Austen Lane in October 2024 led to his release.

Undeterred, Despaigne quickly transitioned to Karate Combat, signing with the promotion in November 2024. Karate Combat appears to be a natural fit for the former Olympic medalist as he embarks on the next chapter of his career. In an exclusive interview with Robelis Despaigne, we discuss his career and Karate Combat. He will be making his debut on Thursday, December 19 at Karate Combat 51, live on YouTube at 6pm ET.

Robelis Despaigne Interview

What initially drew you to Taekwondo, and how did it shape your early life in Cuba?

I really love practicing taekwondo because I like martial arts movies.

Winning an Olympic bronze medal is an incredible achievement. What do you remember most about that experience in London 2012?

It was something unforgettable, very dreamed of and very worked on. I remember feeling it as the greatest dream of every athlete.

After such a long and successful Taekwondo career, what motivated you to transition to MMA, and how challenging was it to adapt to the new discipline?

It was quite a challenge to adapt, especially because of the floor work, but I really like it and I’m willing to work hard to become the biggest heavyweight in the world.

What was the most valuable lesson you learned from your UFC stint, both in victories and in defeats?

I learned that all the work is little compared to how hard an MMA fighter must work and I am willing to work even harder and achieve my return to UFC.

How did the UFC experience prepare you for the next phase of your combat sports career in Karate Combat?

I think having had the privilege of being in the UFC, which is such a big company, prepares you for any scenario. I’m ready for a great show. I thank Karate Combat for this opportunity and I’m here for my belt.

Karate Combat has a unique rule set and presentation. How have you adjusted your training to fit this style?

I love this style of fighting. I am very excited to be here at Karate Combat. I always followed these events and said I would like to fight here. God’s plan is perfect and I am going all out for my first KO in Karate Combat.

What are your goals in Karate Combat, both short-term and long-term?

To be the Super Heavyweight Champion.

As someone who has competed in multiple disciplines, what advice would you give to young martial artists looking to transition between sports?

Don’t be afraid of change, in the end it’s a fight all the same. And the challenge is fun.

Cuban athletes often face unique challenges when competing internationally. What has your experience been, and what message would you share with aspiring Cuban athletes?

I hope you enjoy the process and continue working hard to raise the name of Cuba.

Let’s build the perfect fighter. In your mind who has the best kicks? The Best Punches? Best Speed? And the best power?

The best kicks: Robelis Despaigne
The Best Punches: Alex Pereira.
Best Speed: Ryan Garcia.
The best power: Francis Ngannou.

Exclusive | Jade Jorand looking for titles in Karate Combat and the UFC

France’s Jade Jorand just earned an impactful debut in Karate Combat and is looking to collect organization gold in…

France’s Jade Jorand just earned an impactful debut in Karate Combat and is looking to collect organization gold in 2025. Speaking in an interview with LowKickMMA, ‘The Princess; outlines her past and also future goals.

Jade Jorand

Growing up, Jade Jorand tried every sport imaginable but simply did not excel in any of them. But she found her calling at the age of nine with kickboxing. She explained:

“It’s true! I did all kinds of dance and tennis, but I was so bad. My dad did kickboxing, so my parents had me try it when I was nine. They also wanted me to learn self-defense since I was starting middle school and taking the bus alone. At first, I was bad at that too and really scared. But two or three years later, my coach told me I was going to fight. I was like, “What? Me?” But I won, and after that, I wanted to keep winning.”

She collected European titles under both Muay Thai and K-1 kickboxing rules. The first professional match for ‘The Princess’ was under Bellator Kickboxing in which she won via incredible head kick knockout. Jade Jorand continued:

“It felt so great—it’s the best memory of my life. I was so stressed because making that fight happen was hard. She was a world champ with over 60 fights, and it was my debut. The French commission even had to write a letter saying I was capable of competing with her. Everyone was telling me, “Just do your best,” and I was like, “What are you talking about? I’m going to win this fight.” When I knocked her out, I felt amazing. It’s still the best memory of my life.”

NASTY head-kick knock out by Jade Jorand against Silvia La Notte at Bellator Kickboxing. pic.twitter.com/r9r78a04RU

— Beyond Kickboxing (@Beyond_Kick) October 12, 2019

Earlier this year she jumped into Karate Combat and won her debut by first round finish. On December 19 at Katate Combat 51, Jade Jorand will take on Saba Nabavinejad in a title eliminator and the winner will fight for gold in 2025. The French striker is looking to take world titles in both Karate Combat and the UFC during her career.

“My dream is to be UFC world champion in the next few years. But for now, my smaller dream is to win the Karate Combat world title. I love fighting there, so I want to enjoy this time while training in jiu-jitsu and MMA. After that, I’ll go for the UFC for sure.”

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Exclusive | ‘Winning or losing doesn’t matter—just do what you love’ Legend Lerdsila Discusses Muay Thai and Retirement – Karate Combat

After more than 20 years and 200 professional bouts, the Muay Thai legend Lerdsila Chumpairtour is getting ready for…

After more than 20 years and 200 professional bouts, the Muay Thai legend Lerdsila Chumpairtour is getting ready for retirement but has one last match left in him. Lerdsila is set to fight on November 14 at Karate Combat: Kickback 3.

Muay Thai Legend Lerdsila

The icon of ‘The Art of Eight Limbs’ Lerdsila has had a tremendous career decorated with illustrious titles. The Thai-born athlete has picked up titles in WLF, WMC, and three Stadium crowns at Rajadamnern. His advice for the next generation of fighters is simple, do what you love. In an exclusive interview, he explained:

“Love Muay Thai, do your best, and fight with heart. Winning or losing doesn’t matter—just do what you love… This is my last fight—20 years in Muay Thai, and this will be the final one… It’s emotional. Muay Thai has been my life, but I’ll still be teaching and passing on the traditions to young fighters. I’ll keep training every day.”

Lerdsila translates to ‘Slippery Eel’ but to his evasive style. The Muay Thai striker is one of the most popular figures in Muay Thai history due to how incredibly skilled he is defensively.

At the Karate Combat Kickback 3 event, on November 14, he will be facing Russia’s Turach Novurov, who is a national Kickboxing world champion. The Thai-born athlete is not defensive about his sport and is happy to see Thailand’s national sport be popularized around the world, Lerdsila explained:

“I’m very happy about it. Fifteen or twenty years ago, Muay Thai was only popular in Thailand, but now it’s known worldwide.”

Turach Novurov Karate Combat Kickback 3 Lerdsila

Dee Begley Misses Weight for Aline Pereira Showdown – Fight on the Line

Aline Pereira’s upcoming fight at Karate Combat 50 has hit a snag due to weight issues with her opponent,…

Aline Pereira’s upcoming fight at Karate Combat 50 has hit a snag due to weight issues with her opponent, Dee Begley. Initially contracted to fight at 125 pounds, Begley requested a catchweight of 130 pounds earlier this week.

Dee Begley Misses Weight for Aline Pereira Fight

However, she failed to make even this higher weight limit, coming in at 134 pounds – a full 3.6 pounds over the newly agreed catchweight. This significant miss has put the fight in jeopardy, with negotiations now underway to salvage the bout. As of now, it’s unclear whether the fight will proceed as planned or if further adjustments will be necessary to ensure it takes place. It has been revealed by Karate Combat president Asim Zaidi in a conversation with Low Kick MMA.

Aline Pereira and Dee Begley were set to face off in a matchup at Karate Combat 50 this Friday live from Salt Lake City, which broadcasts on UFC Fight Pass.

Aline Pereira vs. Dee Begley

Brazil’s Aline Pereira, the younger sister of UFC champion Alex Pereira, brings an impressive kickboxing background to the fight in Karate Combat. She’s a former GLORY Kickboxing competitor with a 6-2 professional record and even challenged for their super bantamweight title. After her kickboxing career, Aline tried her hand at MMA, competing in LFA with mixed results, going 1-2 in her first three bouts.

Dee Begley, from Ireland, trains at the famous SBG Ireland gym under John Kavanagh, alongside notable fighters such as Conor McGregor and others. She comes into this fight with a 4-6 record in MMA and recently made her boxing debut, losing by unanimous decision.

Karate Combat 50

Oddsmakers seem to favor Aline Pereira in this bout, with opening odds placing her as the -240 favorite, while Dee Begley comes in as the +190 underdog. That is if the Karate Combat 50 matchup goes forward at all.

UFC veteran put into coma after head kick knockout loss

Following his recent viral knockout loss during his venture with Karate Combat, former UFC lightweight contender, James Vick was…

Following his recent viral knockout loss during his venture with Karate Combat, former UFC lightweight contender, James Vick was placed into a medically-induced coma according to the promotional’s leader, who confirmed he had no plans to book the Texan into another fight.

Vick, a former lightweight contender during his time with the UFC, called time on his storied mixed martial arts career back in 2021, following his departure from the Octagon, where he suffered a fractured orbital after another knockout defeat against Andre Fialho.

And exiting the UFC in the midst of a high-profile losing skid against Paul Felder, Justin Gaethje, Dan Hooker, and Niko Price — which included brutal knockout losses against the most recent trio, Vick made the transition to Karate Combat back in June suffering another hellacious stoppage via high-kick against fellow UFC alum, Rafael Alves.

Karate Combat leader reveals UFC alum James Vick placed in coma after last KO loss

Discussing Vick’s devastating knockout finish, Karate Combat leader, Asim Zaidi revealed the veteran was placed in a medically-induced coma following the loss, and confirmed he had no plans to book him to compete again, despite the former’s wishes.

“I was there live, and it was such a successful event,” Zaidi said during an appearance on the JAXXON podcast. “[The knockout] ruined my whole mood. I just couldn’t be happy after that. [James Vick was unconscious] for a couple days. They put him in a self-induced coma. And he had a respiratory [machine] to make sure he stays breathing.”

“I went to him when he woke up, and he’s like, ‘What did he catch me with?’” Zaidi said of James Vick. Switch kick, and he’s like, ‘Oh, man, I want to get back in there. Thank God he’s okay, man. But, I can’t morally want to do that. I’m not gonna put him back in there.”

During his tenure with the UFC, Vick would land himself victories over the likes of Ramsey Nijem, Jake Matthews, Joseph Duffy and Francisco Trinaldo to name a few.

The War on ONE: Karate Combat Takes Aim at ONE Championship: Fighters Would Rather Retire than Continue with ONE

The president of Karate Combat Asim Zaidi, AKA President Awesome, recently spoke with Michael Bisping about ONE Championship and…

The president of Karate Combat Asim Zaidi, AKA President Awesome, recently spoke with Michael Bisping about ONE Championship and how openly their fighters are champions growing unhappy with the organizations. Various fighters and managers have spoken to Zaidi looking to leave ONE.

Karate Combat and the War on ONE Championship

Recently, Karate Combat declared war on ONE Championship, the organization will be hosting an event in ONE’s former home of Singapore on September 18. ONE spent most of its years in Singapore but has been inactive there for some time instead focusing on Thailand and the USA. But, Asim Zaidi with Karate Combat is enraged and looking to push in on their territory.

According to the Karate Combat president, there are multiple champions, fighters, and managers who are dissatisfied with their dealings with ONE Championship. Speaking in an interview with Bisping, the Karate Combat leader explained:

“As time passed, more and more champions from ONE FC reached out, saying they’d rather retire in their prime than continue fighting for ONE FC. I had four or five current champions express their desire to fight for Karate Combat, but I couldn’t assist them while they were under contract.

“Then, more fighters started approaching me, complaining about their careers being stalled. Some fighters were only fighting once every two or three years, which was deeply troubling. I was receiving constant messages from managers and fighters, sharing their frustrations.”

The feud began when Karate Combat looked to book a ONE fighter who was inactive. ONE then threatened the entire gym with litigation if anything were to happen. Zaidi added:

“Chatri threatened them, saying if they allowed their fighter to compete for Karate Combat, they would pull all opportunities from their gym. Essentially, it felt like they blackballed us, putting immense pressure on us.”

Managers are disgruntled in working with ONE as their fighters are unable to get booked for fights, he continued:

“A big-time manager reached out to me and revealed that ONE Championship was signing fighters to lucrative contracts, only to keep them inactive. The fighters would become desperate, and ONE FC would then offer them much lower fight purses. This practice allegedly kept fighters locked up without using them, effectively preventing them from signing with other promotions.”

There have been several fighters who worked with ONE Championship and openly complained about them. Such names include kickboxing champion Jonathan Di Bella, former two-division champion Reinier de Ridder, kickboxing great Anissa Meksen, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu great Marcus Buchecha, and kickboxing world champion Chingiz Allazov.

With various sponsors and investors being unhappy with ONE, to add to their unhappy fighters, the organization ahs been forced to change their direction. Originally they were doing nearly all of their operations in Singapore, now it seems they are shifting to the USA and Thailand.