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**N1™** · 08-30-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Robert DrysdaleBy Guilherme Cruz"

I'm very confident... If I can do sparring with Wanderlei, I can fight anybody. If I can put Forrest or Couture down, I can put anyone"
TATAME.com spoke to the ADCC 2007 champion and Xtreme Couture BJJ coach, Robert Drysdale, and learned that he signed a contract to debut in MMA in October. In the interview, that you can check here later today, he spoke about his first fight, the training with Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin and the Boxing champion Skiper Kelp, and that he’s also thinking about the main ADCC 2009 fight, against Roger Gracie. Check below the complete interview with Robert Drysdale.

How is your preparation for MMA?

It’s great, I’m training hard twice a day. I’m teaching less BJJ classes, doing my physical preparation with (Rafael) Alejarra…He’s awesome, he almost killed me yesterday with only a three minutes training (laughs). I do Boxing with Skiper Kelp, who is an expert fighter and I’m learning a lot with him. I’m feeling a lot better now, and I’m pretty confident. I’m helping Frank Mir at BJJ classes for his fight against (Rodrigo Nogueira) Minotauro and I might train with Wanderlei (Silva) for his next fight too.

How were you invited to start in MMA?

Actually, I was going to debut in September, but then I got hurt and postponed to get well prepared. I saw a Canadian event, but it’s only in November, and I want to two twice this year yet.

How the training sessions with Wanderlei Silva, Forrest Griffin and Randy Couture help you for you first MMA fight?

It gives me confidence. If I can do sparring with Wanderlei, I can fight anybody. If I can put Forrest or Couture down, I can put anyone (down). There are a lot of new sparrings here that nobody knows, so it’s good for me.

Will you fight ADCC in 2009?

I’ll be there, and that’s why I wanna fight twice this year in MMA, because in 2009 I only wanna do my preparation for Abu Dhabi . I’m already thinking in the main fight against Roger Gracie, and I’m sure I’ll win. I only need to get well prepared.

Do you want to face him in MMA too?

Look, it’s not my focus now, but if I had the opportunity I’ll do it. I don’t see it like a personal thing. I wouldn’t face Demian, that is like a brother to me. I respect Roger, he’s very smart and a good person, but I’d face him. I won’t ask for this fight, but I would do it.

http://www.tatame.com/2008/08/28/Robert-Drysdale

bbjd7 · 08-30-2008, 12:22 PM

Nice find thanks for the PM Norway.

Drysdale is a great grappler and defiantly has a future in MMA. He's at a great gym and seems to be taking it seriously.

Can't wait to see him fight in October and the fact Him and Xande Riberio are getting involved in MMA along with Roger, Marcelo, Jacare, and Maia has got me pumped up.

BTW ADCC 09 is going to be sick Roger vs Drysdale Super Fight that's going to be crazy.

**Shamrock-Ortiz** · 08-30-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bbjd7

BTW ADCC 09 is going to be sick Roger vs Drysdale Super Fight that's going to be crazy.

I'd rather just see them both in the openweight tourney

bbjd7 · 08-30-2008, 03:28 PM

Well the 05 absolute was one of the single greatest grappling competitions ever and it was fantastic however.

I'm exicted to see the 05 winner against the 07 winner without anything being able to get in their way.

**Shamrock-Ortiz** · 08-30-2008, 05:42 PM

Yeah, for sure, I'll be pumped no doubt.

I just think that maybe they could put them both in the 1st round against each other, like DREAM did with JZ and Aoki to make sure no upsets get in the way.