Robert Drysdale: BJJ World Champion & Leading Coach

Robert, as a teenager, had the instinct to be the best fighter in the world. He wanted to be recognized publically.

Robert invested himself in Jiu-Jitsu and found it more powerful and rewarding.  Without thinking about the opinion of his family, he put all his energy into training and exercising. 

Rober Drysdale has also tried his hand at MMA and later on the UFC but unfortunately, he could not survive in the UFC as he failed the drug test.  Drysdale also developed the best grappling team with Zenith BJJ’s association. 

Robert Drysdale was born and raised in the US by an American father and Brazilian mother in 1981. In 1987, Robert Drysdale's family relocated to Brazil when he was six years old.

Robert wanted to pursue a University education and thought that America might be the appropriate place to study and moved to Las Vegas. Robert decided to search for an academy to continue his BJJ training side by side with his study. Luckily he found Steve da Silva Steve, who proved to be a great teacher and helped him to polish his BJJ skills. Robert realized that he can excel in jiu-jitsu. Keeping this in mind, he returned to Brazil, the heart of jiu-jitsu.

In the year 2000, Robert Drysdale moved to Indaiatuba in Brazil and joined the Maromba Academy with Professor Paulo Streckert. Drysdale devoted his whole attention and energy to Jiu-Jitsu. Finally, he became more professional and earned many medals and a World Championship as a Purple Belt.

While Drysdale was in the category of Brown Belt, his friend Demina invited him to join the Brasa academy which was led by the Former Alliance legends. Once he started training with Leonardo Vieira, the competition proved very challenging, and resultantly, he lost the fight. After that, he realized that this could be the main platform that will help him to get what he wants in his jiu-jitsu career.  Leonardo spent most of his time training with the Brasa team and finally he received his Black Belt by the hands of Leo Vieira.

Robert has spent much time training Jiu-Jitsu and after realizing that he is now a professional athlete, Robert decided to return back to the US and started BJJ classes at Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas and started his Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

Robert Drysdale decided to partake in Mixed Martial arts(MMA). Robert secured the victory by the first-round armbar submission. After that, Drysdale also won his second MMA fight.

Later on, Drysdale had been one of the great fighters in the MMA, he defeated many top MMA players including Isaac Villanueva and Linderman Cherish Reed, and Andre Galvao via submissions.

Robert’s BJJ and MMA record is extremely impressive. He decided to take part in UFC. Drysdale was hopeful to win the fight against Ednaldo Oliveira in 2013 but the fight was canceled because Drysdale was discovered with a lingering staph infection.

Robert rescheduled the match in UFC 167, against Cody Donovan but failed to pass the drug test and his license was declined by the Athletic Commission.

Robert had a chance to fight against the Ednaldo Oliveira in 2013 at UFC 163 but again he was pulled out because he still had some germs of staph infection in his body.

Drysdale again scheduled his fight with the new fighter Keith Berish in the TUF 19 Finale. He won the fight and later said in a TED talk that after his drug test was positive, he knew his UFC Career was ended but he didn't want to end his career as a failure and that's why he fought another match.

In 2019, Drysdale decided to announce his retirement from MMA.

Robert had participated and won many fights in BJJ, UFC, and MMA, he was a one-man Army having the capability to deliver his experience to the next generation. So, he started coaching and produced many champions like Frank Mir, Dan Hardy, Forrest Griffin, Travers Honana, Phil Baroni, Brad, and Kevin Randleman.

And similarly, in the Miesha Tate (in season 18) in the following year 2013. He also provided his coaching services in Ultimate Fighter Season 24 and as s grappling coach for Joanna Jedrzejczk’s team in “The Ultimate Fighter Season 23.

Robert had to face a great controversy and he was called off by the Nevada State Athletic Commission officials and charged with pushing his fighter in the cage when Max did not want to fight. Drysdale defended himself by saying that his fighter was not seriously injured but he was not confident enough to continue fighting and I was just pushing him a little bit so he may be motivated to continue his fight.

Drysdale did the commentary in WSOF and provided services as a commentator in famous sports events like FloGrappling and ACBJJ in Portuguese and English.

Being a legend in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Drysdale has planned to work on the documentary film titled “Opening Closed Guard: defining the origin of BJJ, and other related facts.

In an interview, Drysdale, explained that the purpose of the film is to discuss the origin, how it was invented by the Japanese immigrant, and later on spread his roots to the world. Moreover, the main motive of the film is to highlight the great fighters in history. The film is still in production. And there is no news about its release date.

Drysdale published a book under the title “Opening Closed Guard''. In this book, he narrates the backstory of the film and all the research-based interviews in order to collect information and other transcripts. The book has many names of shining stars who were interviewed the most famous of them are the Balentre Brothers, Royce Gracie, Flavio Behring, Armando, Robson Gracie, Helio Fadda, Joao Alberto Barreto, and one of the greatest Jiu- Jitsu legends Carlos Gracie Jr. The book is available in several languages in Portuguese, German, English, Polish, and is still under translation for many other languages.

Drysdale also delivered a great speech in the independently organized event called “TED Talk” under the title, “What's The Point of Winning?

In his speech he says, I fought hundreds of fights and lost and won hundreds of them. According to Drysdale, every fight gives you an amazing lesson. After every fight, You feel more powerful and invincible. A man is able to learn and overcome lots of pressure, as every fighter faces lots of pressure from peers, and from sponsors. You have to be careful of every single move you make,  because a split-second wrong decision may ruin your career.

Robert is in a relationship with Sophia McDermott and Michelle Nicolini and has two beautiful daughters.

The audience witnessed the great fight between two champions, Robert Drysdale and Steve Rusk. Initially, Steve was on top and tried to apply the neck choke from the top but Robert broke the rear mount attack easily. This fight was very short and in the end, Robert applied the choke from the back and won the fight in just three minutes and four seconds.

Alexandre was a bit heavy and dominant against Robert. He applied a side mount but failed. The fight ended with Robert Drysdale's victory when Robert managed to apply the RNC Choke and Alexander could not survive it and tapped out.

Robert earned these records and Medals representing America as he was born in America and having the dual nationality.

Robert Drysdale vs. Steve Rusk ADCC 2007 Absolute

Marc Laimon VS. Robert Drysdale SUPER FIGHT!!!

Robert Drysdale vs Josh Musick

Robert Drysdale vs Andre Galvao

Worlds 2007 Adult Black Belt - Super Heavyweight Final - Roger Gracie VS Robert Drysdale

Drysdale

Photo credit: @robertdrysdalejj