By Safeer MS
Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Robelis Despaigne will open the main card of UFC St. Louis. Even though Acosta is younger than his opponent, he is relatively more experienced than the Cuban Taekwondo Olympic Bronze medallist. The undefeated Despaigne made his debut in the promotion at UFC 299 where he scored a first-round knockout. After his only defeat to Marcos Rogerio de Lima, Cortes-Acosta is now on a two-fight winning streak.
Paths to victory for Waldo Cortes-Acosta
The UFC has put the fight to build Robelis Despaigne, a scarier prospect in the division. With a 6’7” tall frame and an 87” reach, Despaigne is a problem. However, the thing is he has never fought past the 1st round. Before the UFC, he had only fought four times in MMA. His longest fight was on his debut which went 4 minutes 54 seconds into the first round. For Cortes-Acosta, the game plan should be to escape unscathed through the first round.
Despaigne being a Taekwondo professional would be eager to kick Cortes-Acosta if his hands do not find the target. Therefore, the Cuban would provide opportunities for the Brazilian to catch his leg for a single-leg takedown. Cortes-Acosta should not fight Despaigne in the mid-range which would likely result in KO loss. The Brazilian should either be all in or all out. If he patiently follows the game plan, he could potentially get a submission finish or a decision victory.
Paths to victory for Waldo Cortes Acosta
Waldo Cortes-Acosta is 6’4” tall but is smaller than Despaigne. Therefore, the Cuban could set up a head kick with body and leg kicks. He does not even need to do that. Despaigne has immense power in his hands. He could knock out his opponent even with a jab. Even if the jab does not knock Cortes-Acosta out, it could sting him. A follow-up rear straight hand would seal the knockout. Either way, a first-round finish is a safe bet for betting enthusiasts.
The UFC needs exciting fights at heavyweight. As such, the UFC brass would be hoping for a quick knockout victory for Robelis Despaigne. With the heavyweight division in a transitionary period with athletic heavyweights rising the ranks, Despaigne has a big role to play. Nobody knows how good Despaigne is in the grappling department. He found grappling difficult in his first MMA fight but certainly has worked on it. Whether Cortes-Acosta will provide a wrestling threat to Despaigne remains to be seen.
