Alex Pereira is teasing a possible transfer to heavyweight for a 3rd UFC title, and Robelis Despaigne, a 6-foot-7 knockout artist, believes “Poatan” has what it takes to shine at heavyweight.
Despaigne appears to go 6-0 in 2025 when he challenges Sam Alvey for the Karate Fight championship this Friday in Florida, and he sparred with the UFC gentle heavyweight champion days earlier than Despaigne’s match at Fusion X-Cel Efficiency in Orlando.
“I truly wasn’t going to go that day as a result of the day earlier than I had a really onerous coaching session at my health club, I did numerous sparring rounds,” Despaigne informed MMA Preventing, “However the coach from the Orlando health club contacted me and informed me to return as a result of Pereira’s coach wished him to coach with a heavyweight they introduced in, a very massive man. So I went, and I did a spherical with Pereira, and it was very productive for each of us. I didn’t suppose that sparring session would go so viral, however yeah, it was very productive.”
Pereira began his UFC profession as a middleweight and moved up a division after dropping the belt to Israel Adesanya. He gained, defended, and just lately reclaimed the 205-pound title with a first-round knockout of Magomed Ankalaev.
“Actually, Pereira is a heavyweight,” Despaigne mentioned. “To me, he’s a heavyweight who cuts right down to 205 kilos. He has heavyweight energy, he weighs 240-something, he’s weighing principally the identical as, I don’t know, Ciryl Gane in competitors form. He’s a heavyweight who cuts to 205, and he may even afford to make 185 if he wished to. He can do no matter he desires.”
Pereira and Jon Jones are campaigning for a superfight at UFC’s deliberate card on the White Home in 2026, and Despaigne wouldn’t be shocked if “Poatan” turns into the primary to actually beat Jones in MMA.
“If Jon Jones makes a mistake, you realize he can put him to sleep,” Despaigne mentioned. “Not simply — we all know Jon Jones’ high quality. It’s going to be a really anticipated struggle, an enormous box-office struggle as a result of each of them have an enormous fan base and really sturdy numbers. It’ll be an excellent struggle. That’s what I feel. Every has their strengths, Pereira has his placing, and Jon Jones, you realize, I think about will attempt to make the most of his wrestling. Let’s see who wins.”
Despaigne and Alvey, who meet Friday night time for the Karate Fight title, are UFC veterans who’ve discovered higher success contained in the KC pit. Alvey just lately claimed the heavyweight belt with a large knockout of veteran striker Tyrone Spong, and that’s one thing Despaigne didn’t see coming.
“All of us thought he may lose his final title protection however no, he knocked him out simply,” Despaigne mentioned. “It appeared fairly straightforward. I do know it wasn’t truly straightforward as a result of his opponent was very skilled, however he nonetheless capitalized, shocked him, and beat him comparatively simply. It didn’t shock me that he gained, what shocked me was the best way he gained. I assumed it will be a struggle that may stretch a minimum of into the third or fourth spherical, however it didn’t.”
The Cuban heavyweight is an Olympic bronze medalist in Taekwondo and earned a shot on the gold with three wins in a single night time again in July, defeating Saulo Cavalari, Tim Johnson, and Zac Pauga.
“He’s not champion of the division by chance,” Despaigne mentioned of Alvey. “He’s held the belt for a very long time. He’s an athlete, and as everybody is aware of, a former UFC fighter. He is aware of what it’s to struggle, he is aware of what it’s to compete for a title, and I feel it’s going to be a really powerful struggle. He’s very sturdy, and I do know he’s going to strive every thing potential to win. It’s going to be a very good struggle. … What issues is profitable, proper? The way in which you win doesn’t matter. I’m going to go on the market and do my job, similar as at all times. Look forward to him to make a mistake and do every thing we’ve educated for.”
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