Robert Lewis Drysdale (born October 5, 1981) is a Brazilian-American Brazilian jiu-jitsu 4th degree black belt under Léo Vieira, a retired mixed martial artist and an instructor at his own BJJ academy, "Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu". Having won multiple World Championships, he was referred to by Vice magazine as "America's jiu-jitsu superhero", regarded by BJJ Heroes as "the most accomplished American grappler of his generation" and as the best Submission Wrestler in the World by Gracie Magazine.
Drysdale is one of only two Americans (with Rafael Lovato Jr.) to have won Mundials in the gi at 94 kg and up. Drysdale is one of only four Americans to have won the ADCC absolute division; at the 2007 ADCC he submitted grappling legend Marcelo Garcia in just over two minutes. That same year he was named the best submission wrestler in the world by Gracie Magazine.
Early life
Born in Utah, the United States to a Brazilian mother and American father, he moved to Brazil with his family in 1987 at the age of six. Robert Drysdale spent much of his childhood in Brazil.
He was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu during his late teens (17) at the Quatro Tempos Academy in the city of Itú, state of São Paulo, Brazil in 1998. As a white belt, Drysdale moved back to the US to pursue his academic studies in Las Vegas, in 2008. He continued training with instructor Steve da Silva until with his instructor’s encouragement, Robert decided to move back to Brazil where the sport was gaining popularity and had more competition opportunities.
Career
Brazilian jiu jitsu
Beginning in the early 1990s, jiu-jitsu began growing in popularity worldwide and Brazil was quickly becoming the Mecca for jiu-jitsu. Robert returned to Brazil in 2002 to dedicate himself entirely to training and competing in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Over the years he has trained continually, initially with Maromba Club and eventually team Brasa Jiu-Jitsu Club in São Paulo, Brazil.
While training and competing for Brasa Club he received his Black Belt in 2004 from the famed Léo Vieira.
In Brazil, he went on to win multiple national and world titles, becoming the 2nd US national to win an IBJJF black belt World title (2005), after BJ Penn.
In 2007 he won the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship – Open Division ADCC, submitting Marcelo Garcia in just over two minutes, a feat considered to be the equivalent of "out-swimming" Michael Phelps.
In early 2008, he returned to the US where he trained with former UFC Champion, Randy Couture and former Pride Champion Wanderlei Silva. That same year he opened Drysdale Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas, still in operation today.
He has competed and taught in various countries around the world, including Germany, Denmark, Poland, France, Sweden, Finland, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand Canada, Cuba, Brazil, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Belgium, Greece, Serbia, Spain, Turkey, Russia, England, Scotland, Japan, Bulgaria and Austria; while teaching and hosting seminars in cities across the United States.
In 2012 Drysdale joined forces with Rodrigo Cavaca to form a new grappling team – Zenith BJJ, which became a big player in the sport.
Mixed martial arts
Robert Drysdale made his amateur MMA debut with Tuff-N-Uff in 2008, winning his fight. In 2010 Drysdale made a successful professional MMA debut defeating Bastien Huveneers via arm triangle choke. In his next fight, Drysdale faced Clay Davidson, a King of the Cage veteran who entered the contest riding a six-fight win streak. Drysdale won via armbar in the first round.
It was announced on February 16, 2012 that Drysdale has signed a multi-fight deal with Legacy Fighting Championship. Drysdale eventually made his debut at Legacy Fighting Championships 12 and went on to defeat Isaac Villanueva, Chris Reed and D.J. Linderman under the Legacy FC banner all by submission in the first round.
Drysdale’s rampant MMA career brought him to the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in 2013.
Drysdale was expected to make his promotional debut against Ednaldo Oliveira on August 3, 2013 at UFC 163. However, Drysdale pulled out of the bout in mid-July citing a lingering staph infection.
Drysdale's debut was rescheduled for UFC 167, where he was slated to meet Cody Donovan. However, after failing an out-of-competition drug test, with a 19.4/1 T/E ratio, the Nevada State Athletic Commission ultimately declined to license him.