Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne choose, time: UFC on ESPN 56

Waldo Cortes-Acosta and Robelis Despaigne meet Saturday in the principle card opener of UFC on ESPN 56 from Enterprise Middle in St. Louis. Try this fast breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.  

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne UFC on ESPN 56 preview

Cortes-Acosta (11-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) and Despaigne (19-1 MMA, 1-0 UFC) get the principle card began with a heavyweight bout that may not make it out of the primary spherical. … Cortes-Acosta has received his final two fights, stopping Lukas Brzeski within the first spherical with punches and profitable a unanimous choice over former champion Andrei Arlovski in his first combat of the yr in January. … Despaigne brings his undefeated report to the UFC’s octagon for the second time, following a formidable debut that he received by knockout in simply 18 seconds. The Cuban Olympian has not seen Spherical 2 in his younger skilled MMA profession.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne knowledgeable choose, prediction

Although we have now surefire motion fights like Terrance McKinney and Esteban Ribovics caught on the prelims (to not point out a frequently underserved males’s flyweight division), the powers that be proceed to double down on the large boys by force-feeding us unproven heavyweights on Combat Evening important playing cards.

In protection of the UFC matchmakers, each Cortes-Acosta and Despaigne are thought of prospects – not less than by heavyweight requirements.

Despaigne, who seems to be the brand new hotness within the division, is an simple athletic drive who comes from an Olympic-level taekwondo background. The Cuban fighter remains to be inexperienced with a small pattern measurement, however that’s not stopping tumescent MMA gamblers from backing Despaigne on the betting window, hand over fist.

Cortes-Acosta, alternatively, could be probably the most hated fighter since Ihot Potieria did his ‘duelist dance’ over the lifeless physique of Mauricio Rua in Brazil.

Already possessing a method that arguably shoots itself within the foot with its flash-to-function ratio, Cortes-Acosta determined to double down on his unlikeability by blatantly disrespecting UFC legend Andrei Arlovski in his final outing.

I hope we get to see extra of Despaigne whatever the end result right here, however I’ll take the bait by making the cathartic prediction of selecting “The Huge Boy” to emphatically knock Cortes-Acosta out on the finish of Spherical 1.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne odds

The percentages makers and the general public favor the less-proven heavyweight, itemizing Despaigne a wholesome -250, with Cortes-Acosta a +198 underdog through FanDuel. Cortes-Acosta solely has one loss in 5 UFC fights, and it was the one different time he was listed as an underdog; he misplaced a unanimous choice to Marcos Rogerio de Lima. The undefeated Despaigne’s UFC debut solely lasted 18 seconds, and entered that bout in opposition to Josh Parisian as a -400 favourite.

Waldo Cortes-Acosta vs. Robelis Despaigne begin time, tips on how to watch

As the principle card opener, Cortes-Acosta and Despaigne are anticipated to make their stroll shortly after the principle card begins, round 7:05 p.m. ET (4:05 p.m. PT). The combat broadcasts reside on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

For extra detailed evaluation from Dan Tom, try his weekly present, “The Defend Ya’ Neck Podcast.”