Former UFC Champion Junior Dos Santos Gets Destroyed In Netflix MMA Debut

InnovationGamingFormer UFC Champion Junior Dos Santos Gets Destroyed In Netflix MMA DebutByBrian Mazique,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Brian Mazique has covered combat sports and video games since 2011.Follow AuthorMay 16, 2026, 09:59pm EDT--:-- / --:--This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.This voice experience is generated by AI. Learn more.INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - MAY 16: Robelis Despaigne fights Junior dos Santos in their heavyweight bout during the main card of Netflix's Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano at Intuit Dome on May 16, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images for Netflix)Getty Images for NetflixFormer UFC heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos planned to make a splash in the opening fight of the MVP MMA 1 show at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles. Things didn't go as planned.Former UFC heavyweight and Olympic bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne destroyed JDS with a hellacious three-punch combination that left the latter in a heap against the Hexagon. Here is a look at the finish.Event: MVP MMA 1: Rousey vs. CaranoDate: Saturday, May 16, 2026Venue: Intuit Dome, Los AngelesBroadcast: Netflix (first MMA fight ever streamed on the platform)Bout: Junior dos Santos vs. Robelis Despaigne (heavyweight, main-card opener)Result: Robelis Despaigne def. Junior dos Santos via Round 1 KO at 2:01JDS Record: 23-11Despaigne Record: 6-2How Did Robelis Despaigne Knock Out Junior dos Santos?Dos Santos came out firing low leg kicks and even rocked Despaigne with a counter right in the early exchanges, briefly raising hopes that the 42-year-old still had something left in the tank. The 6-foot-7 Despaigne was definitely bothered by the leg kicks, but he responded. He shook off a takedown attempt, which has been his bugaboo, fighting with his hands down, deliberately drawing JDS into close-range exchanges where his 84-inch reach could find angles.The finish came at 2:01 of the opening...