Robert Drysdale to return to the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo. Photo: Disclosed
Black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and UFC fighter Robert Drysdale had the misfortune to delay his UFC debut due to an infection.
Despite the delay, the athlete continues to act in the world of fighting and passing his knowledge of the ground for avid practitioners of the art.
Confirmed at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2013 in Long Beach, California on November 9-10, Drysdale tells GRACIEMAG about the event, on his decision to leave the card in the UFC, and on part of the history of Jiu-Jitsu. Check it out:
GRACIEMAG: How did you feel when your UFC fight was canceled?
ROBERT DRYSDALE: I was upset. I had been waiting for this moment for years and of course I was disappointed, but it was a decision that we took together – me, my manager and my coaches, everyone came to the same conclusion: we have worked too much to get here; it’s not worth risking it and getting into the fight “half-assed” without being at 100%. You are not doing great, you’re not training well, the infection is not gone, the antibiotic is kicking your ass; it’s better to wait. I was upset, but the decision was correct. I know I have what it takes to be there, to do well. I got upset because of that … but now I’m ready, I’m feeling good and ready for what comes next.
And what’s the prediction on your UFC debut date?
No prediction for now. I have not heard from them in a while, but I believe it will be in October or November, but I have no way to confirm.
And would you like to fight in Brazil, the USA, or elsewhere in the world?
I would like to fight in Brazil. But if I can’t, then anywhere in the world – Canada, Europe, I’m happy regardless. What I want is to fight. What’s gonna make me happy is the result of the fight.
How’s it going with your training and your academy in Vegas?
The workouts have never been so strong and organized. For striking I have K1 beast James McSweeney, Robert Follis of Team Quest, who coached Dan Henderson and Randy Couture for seven years; and for wrestling we have top wrestler Kyle Griffin. We have a strong MMA team here; I’m very happy with the training, with the results; I want to keep it that way. This year we we’ve had great results – it has been our best year in MMA. There have been very few defeats and many victories. And that’s the tendency: to continue to grow as a team.
How was your experience at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo last year, and what do you think of the event?
I think the Expo is a great initiative; I was very happy with the idea and I support it. The World Jiu-Jitsu Expo was a success. Rarely is an event as successful from the get-go. I think it tends to grow – it’s on the right track. I’m very happy to be a part of this historic moment for Jiu-Jitsu.
What can people expect from your free seminar at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo 2013?
I stick to my format, which I haven’t changed in years and people seem to like it. I like to keep the Jiu-Jitsu efficient; I like teaching details that people can use the next day. And at the end of the seminar I always let people ask me questions. It’s gonna be awesome. See you in November at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo.
Learn more about the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo at www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com
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