Robert Drysdale: BJJ World Champion & Leading Coach

1. Robert Drysdale Details

2. Robert Drysdale Biography

2.1. Who is Robert Drysdale?

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. 

2.2. Robert's Early Life And BJJ Career

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.

Purple Belt Achievements

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.

Drysdale's Brown Belt Achievements

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.

2.3. Robert Drysdale's career in MMA

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.

2.4. Robert Drysdale's career in UFC

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.

2.5. Robert Drysdale's Career in MMA Coaching

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.

2.6. Sports Commentary

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

2.7. Career in Film Production

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.

2.8. Drysdale Masterpiece “Opening Closed Guard”

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.

2.9. Speech at Ted Talk

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.

2.10. Robert Drysdale's Personal Life

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

3. Robert Drysdale Historic Fights

3.1. Robert Drysdale Vs Steve Rusk ADCC 2007 Absolute

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.

3.2. Robert Drysdale Vs Alexandre Cacareco Ferreira ADCC 2007

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.

4. Medals and Records

4.1. Records and Medals in BJJ

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

ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship

5. Robert Drysdale Main Achievements (Belts)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2007	Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championships (open Division)	Black	1st
2007	Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling World Championship (99 kg Division)	Black	3rd
2007	BJJ World Championship (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Black	2nd
2007	BJJ World Championship-Open Division (IBJJF/CB)	Black	3rd
2005	3x times BJJ World Champion (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Black	1st
2005	World Championship (CBJJO)	Black	1st
2005	Local Toughman contest	Black	1st

2004 (Brown/Black Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2004	National Brazilian National Championship (IBJJF/ CBJJ)	Brown	1st
2004	Brazilian National Championship Open Division	Brown	1st
2004	World Championship (IBJJf/CBJJ)	Black	3rd
2004	Scandinavian Open	Black	1st
2004	Scandinavian Open Absolute Division	Black	1st

2003 (Brown Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2003	BandSports Challenge	Brown	1st
2003	Brazilian National equips Champion (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Brown	1st
2003	World Champion (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Brown	1st
2003	World Cup Champion (CBJJO)	Brown	1st
2003	National Brazilian Champion (IBJJF/CBJJ	Brown	1st
2003	Brazilian Cup Champion (CBJJO)	Brown	1st

2002 (Purple Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2002	2x Summer Festival Champion (FESPBJJ)	Purple	1st
2002	2x submission Fighter Champion	Purple	1st
2002	2x Maromba Cup Champion	Purple	1st
2002	2x Maromba Cup Absolute Champion	Purple	1st
2002	2x Submission Fighter Champion (2nd phase) (FESPBJJ)	Purple	1st
2002	2x State Trials Champion	Purple	1st
2002	2x State Trials Absolute Champion	Purple	1st
2002	1st Lrjj	Purple	1st
2002	Lrjj 1st phase open division	Purple	1st
2002	Submission Fighter Championship (3rd phase) (FESPBJJ)	Purple	1st
2002	3rd place Professional division Submission Fighter (FESPBJJ)	Purple	1st
2002	1st Lerjj 2nd phase	Purple	1st
2002	1st Lerjj 2nd phase 2nd place in the Absolute division	Purple	1st
2002	1st Lerjj 2nd phase 2nd place in the Absolute division	Purple	1st
2002	2x 1st place State Championship (FESP-BJJ)	Purple	1st
2002	3rd place State Championship Absolute	Purple	1st
2002	1st place in the Brazilian Equips Championship	Purple	1st
2002	Rio de Janeiro State Championship	Purple	1st
2002	Rio de Janeiro State Championship open division	Purple	1st
2002	São Paulo Open	Purple	1st
2002	São Paulo Open absolute division	Purple	1st
2002	1st “Jogos Regionais” Champion	Purple	1st
2002	1st “Jogos Regionais” Equipes Champion	Purple	1st
2002	World Champion (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Purple	1st

2001 (Purple Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2001	Summer Festival	Purple	1st
2001	Summer Festival open division	Purple	1st
2001	Submission Fighter (1st place) (FESP-BJJ)	Purple	1st
2001	Maromba Cup	Purple	1st
2001	Maromba Cup open division	Purple	2nd
2001	Submission Fighter (2nd phase) (FESP-BJJ)	Purple	1st
2001	Pan-American Championships (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Purple	3rd
2001	State Trials Championship	Purple	1st
2001	State Trials open division	Purple	1st
2001	Lrjj 2nd phase	Purple	1st
2001	Submission Fighter (3rd phase) (FESP-BJJ)	Purple	2nd
2001	State Championship	Purple	1st
2001	State Championship open division	Purple	1st
2001	Sport JJ Cup	Purple	1st
2001	Sport JJ Cup open division	Purple	1st
2001	“Jogos Regionais”	Purple	1st
2001	“Jogos Regionais” Equipes	Purple	1st
2001	Brazilian Championship (LBJJ)	Purple	2nd Place
2001	Pessoa Cup	Purple	1st
2001	Pessoa Cup Open division	Purple	1st
2001	Fesp-BJJ circuit (1st place)	Purple	1st
2001	Fesp-BJJ circuit open division (1 phase)	Purple	3rd
2001	Nucleo cup open division	Purple	3rd
2001	(2nd phase) Fesp-BJJ circuit	Purple	1st
2001	Itatiba Cup	Purple	1st
2001	(3rd phase) Orlando Saraiva Circuit	Purple	1st
2001	(3rd phase) Orlando Saraiva Circuit open division	Purple	1st
2001	Brazilian National Championship (IBJJF/CBJJ)	Purple	2nd
2001	Overall Submission Wrestling Champion (Fesp-BJJ)	Purple	1st

2000 (Blue Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2000	2x California State Champion	Blue	1st
2000	2nd place Silver State Judo Championship	Blue	1st
2000	2x Las Vegas Judo Championship	Blue	1st
2000	the Copa Pacifica	Blue	3rd
2000	Copa Pacifica open division	Blue	3rd
2000	São Carlos JJ Cup	Blue	3rd
2000	Grapplers Quest Las Vegas	Blue	1st
2000	2nd American BJJ Championship	Blue	1st
2000	2nd American BJJ Championship open division)	Blue	3rd

1999 (Blue Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
1999	California State Championship	Blue	1st
1999	California State Championship (absolute)	Blue	1st
1999	Silver State Judo Championship	Blue	2nd
1999	2nd Las Vegas invitational Judo Championship	Blue	1st
1999	Submission Wrestling open	Blue	1st
1999	7th International Jiu-Jitsu Championship	Blue	1st
1999	7th International Jiu-Jitsu Championship (absolute)	Blue	2nd
1999	Copa Pacifica Jiu-Jitsu	Blue	3rd
1999	Copa Pacifica de Jiu-Jitsu Open Division	Blue	3rd

1998 (White Belt)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
1998	State Championship	White	2nd
1998	3rd phase of the State circuit	White	1st
1998	overall State circuit	White	2nd

6. Robert Drysdale Professional MMA Record Breakdown

6.1. MMA Record(Win/Lose)

8 Matches	7 Wins	0 Loss
By Submission	7	0
No Contest	1

7. Robert Drysdale Mixed Martial Arts Record

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Stage	Weight Class
2016	Legacy FC 58	Ryan Spann	W	Submission (rear-naked choke)	2	Light Heavyweight
2014	The Ultimate Fighter Team vs Team Penn Finale	Keith Berish	NC	Submission(rear-naked choke) win overturned to NC: Drysdale tested Positive for elevated testosterone.	1	Light Heavyweight
2013	Legacy FC 19	D.J Linderman	W	Submission( rear-naked choke)	1	Light Heavyweight
2012	Legacy FC 15	Chris Reed	W	Submission (armbar)	1	Light Heavyweight
2012	Legacy FC 12	IKe Villanueva	W	Submission (Armbar)	1	Light Heavyweight
2011	AFC 6: Conviction	Mikes Nickels	W	Submission(guillotine choke)	1	Light Heavyweight
2010	AFC 4: Revelation	Clay Davidson	W	Submission(Armbar)	1	Light Heavyweight
2010	AFC 3: Evolution	Bastien Huveneers	W	Submission(arm-triangle choke)	1	Light Heavyweight

8. Robert Drysdale Top Fight Links

Photo credit: @robertdrysdalejj