Despaigne Says Karate Combat Paid More Than UFC
Robelis Despaigne said in January 2025 that Karate Combat paid him significantly more than his previous promotion. His move followed an 18-second TKO of Josh Parisian, decision losses to Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Austen Lane, and his release in late 2024. MMA Fighting reported his pay comparison; his official fighter history records his Octagon results.
Karate Combat title run
Despaigne rebuilt his momentum in Karate Combat, winning the heavyweight championship with a first-round knockout of Sam Alvey at KC 58 in December 2025. The event report records the title change. In May 2026, Despaigne returned to MMA and stopped former heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos by first-round knockout at 2:59 on the MVP card. MMA Fighting’s live report has the result.
Back in the Octagon
Despaigne’s management announced he had re-signed with the promotion in July 2026. He returned to the Octagon on September 19 and beat Tai Tuivasa by split decision, with scores of 29-28, 28-29 and 29-28. The official scorecards confirm the result.
The comparison began as Despaigne’s account of his pay, and the later record shows a brief title run in Karate Combat before his return to MMA. His September 2026 win over Tuivasa was close on the cards, with two judges favoring Despaigne. The scorecards confirm the result without disclosing the underlying pay terms.
