Share this article
MIAMI — Robelis Despaigne beat Josh Parisian with a first-round TKO Saturday on the preliminary card at UFC 299 at Kaseya Center in Miami.
Take a look inside the fight with Despaigne, whose 18-second finish was the second fastest heavyweight debut in UFC history.
Despaigne on the fight’s key moment
“I don’t really think about finishing the fight fast. We come up with a plan, me and my team, and I go out there to pressure and make it happen. I was very happy when they put the (walkout) music on and (fans) started shouting — a lot of emotions. Sometimes you just want to cry. I felt very happy.”
Despaigne on has age
“Not only because of my age (at 35), but I want to be a champion. I want an opponent who is in the top 15, top 10. I’m already physically and psychologically prepared to start facing opponents of a very high level.
“I know it’s going to be hard (to get opponents). They had a hard time finding an opponent for tonight because everyone’s looking to get to the belt. No one’s looking backwards (in the rankings). Now it’s going to be a hard job for my managers. I leave that to them.”
Despaigne on what he wants next
“You always have to improve — always. Always. And win. I’m stubborn. With my work, I always try to be better every day. I think I’m ready for two or three fights, then face (heavyweight champion) Jon Jones, (interim champ Tom) Aspinall, whoever has the title.”
To hear more from Despaigne, check out the video above.
UFC 299 Images
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 299.
Be sure to visit the MMA Junkie Instagram page and YouTube channel to discuss this and more content with fans of mixed martial arts.
This story originally appeared on MMA Junkie