Heavy Hitters Assemble: Robelis Despaigne, Alan Belcher Enter Karate Combat’s Explosive One-Night Heavyweight Tournament

Karate Combat is set to deliver a blockbuster event on July 18 as it kicks off a two-night showcase in Miami with Karate Combat 55, headlined by a high-stakes eight-man heavyweight Grand Prix. The tournament will crown the first-ever No. 1 contender for two-division champion Sam Alvey, adding significant tension and drama to an already ambitious summer card.

Leading the lineup is Robelis Despaigne, a Cuban Olympic bronze medalist in taekwondo and UFC veteran, who has electrified the combat sports world with three stunning knockouts in a combined 24 seconds since signing with Karate Combat. He draws former GLORY light heavyweight champion Saulo Cavalari in what promises to be a fiery opening round clash.

The winner of Despaigne vs. Cavalari will move on to face whoever emerges from the matchup between former UFC and Bellator veteran Tim Johnson and Chase Sherman, another ex-UFC heavyweight with a striking pedigree. That half of the bracket is stacked with raw power and combat experience, giving fans plenty of reasons to tune in.

On the opposite side, former BKFC champion Alan Belcher enters the fold in his Karate Combat debut, taking on fellow newcomer Zac Pauga, a TUF 30 finalist and UFC alum known for his speed and athleticism. Belcher, who found renewed success in bare-knuckle boxing after his MMA career, now seeks to make an impression in the karate pit.

The final quarterfinal matchup sees Daniel James, a heavy-hitting Bellator veteran, square off with Braxton Smith, a fierce finisher from the regional MMA circuit. The winner will secure the last semifinal spot, setting up a brutal path to potential title contention.

Karate Combat confirmed that all quarterfinal and semifinal bouts will be contested under a two-round, three-minute format, with the final receiving an additional third round. In the event of a draw, a sudden-death round will be implemented to declare a winner—ensuring that the action is both fast-paced and definitive.

Karate Combat 55 will be co-headlined by a bantamweight title bout featuring Arturo Vergara vs. Adam Noi, adding championship prestige to a night already loaded with heavyweight action.

The excitement doesn’t stop there. The following evening, Karate Combat 56 will take center stage, featuring a lightweight title unification bout between Shahzazib Ring and Luiz Rocha. In the co-main event, Aline Pereira, sister of UFC champion Alex Pereira, returns to challenge Fani Peloumpi for the women’s flyweight championship.

Additional matchups for Karate Combat 56 include:

• Luan Santiago vs. Zach Juusola

• Anvar Boynazarov vs. Daniel Lacerda

• Alexander Krutskykh vs. Shokruhk Kholmuradov

With elite veterans, fresh contenders, and back-to-back title fights, Karate Combat’s Miami doubleheader is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic weekends in striking martial arts this year. The addition of high-profile fighters like Despaigne and Belcher has raised the stakes, and with the one-night Grand Prix format, fans are guaranteed chaos, knockouts, and unforgettable moments on the path to determine Sam Alvey’s first challenger.