Drysdale gets the rear naked choke. Photo: Josh Hedges Zuffa LLC Zuffa LLC

On Sunday, July 6, Drysdale made ​​his UFC debut with mastery. Opening the card of the TUF 19 Finale event, Drysdale clipped the back and grabbed Keith Berish’s neck at 2min03s in the first round. It was the seventh win in the career of the Jiu- Jitsu black belt world champion (among heavyweights since 2005).

Zenith Jiu-Jitsu’s leader alongside Rodrigo Cavaca, the American with Brazilian blood talked to GRACIEMAG about the submission, unraveled how he got the back and analyzed his future in Dana White’s organization. Check it out and learn from it.

GRACIEMAG: How did you feel before the UFC debut, Drysdale?

ROBERT DRYSDALE: Believe it or not, the pressure I felt on entering the octagon was the same I always felt since I started competing in Jiu-Jitsu, since white belt. The only pressure I feel is the one I put on myself. The general public does not affect me. I think my debut was good, I’m my biggest critic, and then I was able to observe several mistakes I made. But I’m happy with my performance. It will never be perfect, right? Rodrigo Cavaca and Marcus Buchecha were there with me, and Cavaca was once again an excellent corner. My only regret was not being able to train with Buchecha: when he arrived I was already in the process of losing weight.

What was the detail to clip Keith Berish’s back effectively?

In MMA, people have the greatest fear of getting on their backs when fighting on the ground so they always turn their back to stand up. Because I come from Jiu-Jitsu, that is good for me. After getting the back, I closed a padlock and wrapped the neck to finish. Getting the back is the essence of Jiu-Jitsu to me. I practice it a lot in the cage, against the wall, and with gloves. The glove is very disruptive and you need to get used to them. As for fighting against the wall, is good and bad. It can be used in your favor or against you.

How do you see your future in this light heavyweight category, which has Jon Jones as the champion?

I really want to fight before the end of the year. Because I am free from wounds, I believe that I will be fighting soon. I have already imagined myself fighting against all the guys in the category. I do not like to think far ahead, I know my place in the UFC – Just got here now. My focus today is therefore to correct my mistakes and improve a little each day.

Leandro Brodinho was featured in the latest edition of the UFC. Photo: Josh Hedges / Zuffa LLC / Zuffa LLC

Working as a coconut delivery in Brazil, the Jiu-Jitsu black belt and UFC fighter, Leandro “Brodinho” Issa turned his life around and boosted his martial arts career. Athlete from renowned team, Evolve MMA, the Brazilian Leandro was featured in the TUF 19 Finale in Las Vegas on Sunday, July 6.

After a tough striking battle standing up, Brodinho got a takedown, mounted, and looped the Chinese Jumabieke Tuerxun’s arm in a particularly nasty armbar at 3min49s of the third round. Besides the beautiful victory, the black belt was awarded with a bonus from the fight of the night performance in the tournament.

“This fight was very good to gain experience in the Octagon. I was doing well in the first round until the last minute, when I felt his strike. In the second round I was winning, but the judge took me off one point when for holding the grid. So I knew I had to knockout or submit in the last round. I was very calm all the time and always believing I could submit. Thank God I finished at the end”, says Brodinho, who further commented how he did to get the amrbar:” I had the guillotine, but my arm started to get tired. So I decided to let go and take advantage of the mount position. I started striking from the mount, rapped his arm and got the armbar. ”

Leandro Brodinho is part of the bantamweight squad, whose champion is the American TJ Dilashaw. The contender makes plans for the future as he looks at a packed and grueling category.

“It’s a crowded category, even more now with this exchange of champions and lots of new people showing up. I’m coming and I will slowly go up step by step, so one day I might be among the tops of the weight, “closes.

Eddie Bravo

Eddie Bravo wrote on the blog of his academy his view on BJ Penn’s performance last Sunday against Frankie Edgar and his decision to retire from MMA.

Do you agree with Eddie?

“That crazy strategy should retire, not BJ.

Kill the tip toe boxing stance. Kill the feet on hips guard. Kill the flat on the back defensive butterfly guard.

 35 is not old. He’s in amazing shape. He didn’t lose because his body is breaking down. He lost the way he did because of that strange strategy. The whole world was confused.

He should stay at 145, and fight a couple of mid level guys to get his confidence back and I truly believe, with the correct/proper training camps, he can still beat some of the best at 145.

And of course I would recommend an offensive clinching guard when on his back. Not one arm bar, Oma plata, Gogo plata, or triangle attempt by BJ. Vitor went after Jones off his back, Pettis went after Benson, Anderson went after Chael, even Tito went after Machida off his back, there’s no reason BJ can’t attack off his back.

Just my opinion, I’ve never done MMA so what do I know, I could be way off. These are just my thoughts, thank you for taking the time to read this”

BJ Penn competing at the Jiu-Jitsu Worlds Championship in Rio de Janeiro. Photographer: Gustavo Aragao / GRACIEMAG

BJ Penn had his last MMA fight this Sunday, July 6, in Las Vega, Nevada, in the main event of the TUF 19 Finale.

The TKO defeat to Frank Edgar in three rounds was the final note of a spectacular career that included two UFC belts in different categories – lightweight and welterweight.

But before that, he made history in BJJ as well.

In 2000, he was the first ever non-Brazilian competitor to win the world championship as a black belt.

To this day he was only matched by Rafael Lovato Jr, who won in 2007.

Even so, Penn remains the only one to have done it in Brazil.

As a way to pay tribute to one of the greatest of all times, we remember the fight that made BJ a world champion.

In 2000, he fought Edson Diniz for the gold medal.

Let’s watch.

The count is now 3-0 Edgar.

Once again, BJ Penn was not able to present Frank Edgar with an upset in their third encounter in the UFC octagon.

Since round 1, Edgar controlled the action with takedowns and some quality ground and pound from BJ’s guard.

The storyline repeated itself on round 2, when Edgar was able to inflict a lot of damage with repeated elbow strikes to BJ’s head.

Penn’s corner between rounds 2 and 3 said to him to worry only about the next round: “Just try to win big this one,” they told the fighter, more wishing than instructing.

In fact, round three was all that BJ had to worry, because it was the last one.

Once again in BJ’s guard, Edgar pounded hard and left referee Herb Dean no option but to stop the match.

“I didn’t want to worry about what he was going to do, but with what I wanted to do. Anyway, it was a bittersweet victory. I have nothing but respect for BJ,” said Edgar after the match.

As expected, BJ announced he is done with fighting: “Dana White said to me that it’s over and I have to agree with him. I can’t be in this guy’s level anymore.”

Now a UFC Hall of Famer, Penn saluted Edgar for his performance: “He was great”.

At the two TUF 19 finals, Eddie Gordon and Corey Anderson came out on top.

First, at the middleweight division, Eddie Gordon gave no hopes to Dhiego Lima.

Fast and brutal, Gordon connected early and forced Lima to the fence where he finished the job in only 1:11 of the first round.

Later on, in the light-heavyweight division, Corey Anderson also dominated his opponent.

Precise since the beginning, Anderson cornered Matt Van Buren to win by TKO with only 3:59 of the first round.

Both winners got a six figure contract with the UFC and a brand new Harley Davidson motorcicle.

TUF 19 Finale: Edgar vs. Penn
Las Vegas, Nevada
July 6, 2014

Frankie Edgar defeated BJ Penn by TKO 4:16 of R3
Corey Anderson defeated Matt Van Buren by TKO at 3:59 of R1
Eddie Gordon defeated Dhiego Lima by TKO at 1:11 of R1
Derrick Lewis defeated Guto Inocente by KO at 1:30 of R1
Dustin Ortiz defeated Justin Scoggins by split decision

Preliminary card

Kevin Lee defeated Jesse Ronson by unanimous decision
Leandro Brodinho defeated Jumabieke Tuerxun by submission (armlock) at 3:49 of R3
Adriano Martins defeated Juan Manuel Puig aos 2min21s do R1
Patrick Walsh defeated Dan Spohn by unanimous decision
Sarah Mora defeated Alexis Dufresne by unanimous decision
Robert Drysdale defeated Keith Berish by submission (RNC) at 2:03 of R1

Depois de três assaltos com o chinês em superioridade, o brasileiro, que tinha inclusive perdido um ponto no segundo assalto, foi com tudo no fim do combate e conseguiu aplicar um justo armlock. Tuerxun resistiu de primeira, mas Brodinho mudou a alavanca para a diagonal, esticando de maneira brutal o braço do oponente. Confira no vídeo abaixo!

TUF 19 Finale: Edgar x Penn
Las Vegas, Nevada
6 de julho de 2014

Frankie Edgar x BJ Penn
Corey Anderson x Matt Van Buren
Dhiego Lima x Eddie Gordon
Guto Inocente x Derrick Lewis
Justin Scoggins x Dustin Ortiz

Card preliminar

Kevin Lee venceu Jesse Ronson na decisão dividida dos jurados
Leandro Brodinho finalizou Jumabieke Tuerxun no armlock aos 3min49s do R3
Adriano Martins nocauteou Juan Manuel Puig aos 2min21s do R1
Patrick Walsh venceu Dan Spohn na decisão unânime dos jurados
Sarah Mora venceu Alexis Dufresne na decisão unânime dos jurados
Robert Drysdale finalizou Keith Berish no mata-leão aos 2min03s do R1

Frankie Edgar venceu BJ Penn por nocaute técnico aos 4min16s do R3
Corey Anderson venceu Matt Van Buren por nocaute técnico aos 1min01s do R1
Eddie Gordon venceu Dhiego Lima por nocaute técnico a 1min11s do R1
Derrick Lewis venceu Guto Inocente por nocaute técnico aos 3min30s do R1
Dustin Ortiz venceu Justin Scoggins na decisão dividida dos jurados

Card preliminar

Kevin Lee venceu Jesse Ronson na decisão dividida dos jurados
Leandro Brodinho finalizou Jumabieke Tuerxun no armlock aos 3min49s do R3
Adriano Martins nocauteou Juan Manuel Puig aos 2min21s do R1
Patrick Walsh venceu Dan Spohn na decisão unânime dos jurados
Sarah Mora venceu Alexis Dufresne na decisão unânime dos jurados
Robert Drysdale finalizou Keith Berish no mata-leão aos 2min03s do R1

Robert Drysdale terá sua aguardada estreia no UFC Foto: Divulgação/Legacy

Mais uma fera dos tatames chega ao Ultimate. Com sua primeira participação adiada por complicações médicas, agora será de fato a estreia do feroz Robert Drysdale no Ultimate. O evento para o debute será o TUF 19 Finale, que rola neste domingo, dia 6 de julho, em Las Vegas. O faixa-preta, campeão absoluto do ADCC 2007, atua em card que terá na luta principal a segunda revanche entre Frank Edgard e BJ Penn, em aguardada trilogia.

Líder da Zenith Jiu-Jitsu, ao lado de Rodrigo Cavaca, o americano com sangue brasileiro conversou com o nosso Nalty Jr. sobre sua estreia na organização, sua preparação e a expectativa de entrar na organização com o pé direito. Confira!

GRACIEMAG: Como você esta se sentindo para essa luta ?

Robert Drysdale: Estou me sentindo bem. Já venho me preparando há tempos, fazem anos que eu espero por esse dia. Eu estou com a excitação necessária. Não estou nervoso , estou amarradão.

E como esta sendo estrear em Vegas, cidade na qual você reside?

É bom porque fica tudo mais fácil. Enquanto eu vou de carro para o hotel, meu adversário esta viajando desde terça ou quarta. Eu estou de boa , passei o dia com a minha família antes de ir par o hotel. Estou pilhado para lutar em casa, estou acostumado com o clima, é mais cômodo para treinar, meus corners estão aqui, então é tudo mais fácil.

Como foi a preparação e o que você analisou do seu oponente?

A preparação foi boa, sem lesões, sem preocupações, tudo rolou conforme o planejado. Normalmente sempre tem algum problema, alguma lesão ou alguma coisa acontece, mas desta vez não houve nada. É claro que a gente respeita o adversário, mas eu estou confiante e esta luta e boa para mim. Tem tudo para ser uma vitória para começar no UFC com o pé direito.

Alguma mensagem para seus fãs antes da luta?

Queria agradecer ao pessoal, meus alunos, minha família e meus amigos que sempre me apoiaram. Todo o pessoal da Zenith do Brasil que está me dando o maior apoio, alguns as vezes eu nem conheço, mas eles estão dando o maior suporte. Ao Cavaca, claro, que vai ficar no meu corner, e aos meus treinadores. Eu estou cercado de pessoas excelentes e quando isso acontece é mais fácil de chegar aonde eu quero chegar. Eles me dão mais confiança e a segurança de que eu vou chegar aonde eu quero chegar. Essas pessoas facilitam muito a minha caminhada.

TUF 19 Finale: Edgar x Penn
Las Vegas, Nevada
6 de julho de 2014

Frankie Edgar x BJ Penn
Corey Anderson x Matt Van Buren
Dhiego Lima x Eddie Gordon
Guto Inocente x Derrick Lewis
Justin Scoggins x Dustin Ortiz

Card preliminar

Kevin Lee x Jesse Ronson
Jumabieke Tuerxun x Leandro Brodinho
Adriano Martins x Juan Manuel Puig Carreon
Patrick Walsh x Dan Spohn
Sarah Moras x Alexis Dufresne
Robert Drysdale x Keith Berish

Dedé Pederneiras será um dos auxiliares do time do ex-campeão BJ no “TUF 19”. Foto: UFC/Divulgação

Mais uma edição do “The Ultimate Fighter”, reality show de lutas do UFC, vai se formando. Na liderança do programa, Frankie Edgar, ex-campeão peso leve e ex-desafiante ao cinturão peso-pena do Ultimate, encara a lenda BJ Penn, primeiro estrangeiro a se consagrar campeão mundial de Jiu-Jitsu e ex-campeão meio-médio e peso leve do UFC.

O cenário já estaria de bom tamanho no quesito estrelato, não fosse BJ convidar um famoso professor de Jiu-Jitsu para sua equipe. O treinador se chama André Pederneiras. As informações são da jornalista Ana Hissa, do Combate.com.

Dedé, líder da Nova União e treinador de feras como José Aldo, Renan Barão e Léo Santos, terá a missão de auxiliar BJ Penn na preparação dos atletas do programa. Como os atletas da edição atuantes são da divisão de penas, categoria que Dedé conhece bem, BJ terá uma grande ajuda.

Perguntado sobre o convite, Dedé contou que é muito próximo da família de Penn, e que fica feliz por poder apresentar seu trabalho para o público no exterior:

“Foi uma honra ter recebido o convite. BJ e o irmão dele são muito próximos. O BJ está muito empolgado e muito motivado com essa novidade e com o combate contra o Edgar. Para mim será uma oportunidade muito boa de mostrar o meu trabalho como treinador também para o público de fora do Brasil, que não está acostumado a ver de perto o meu trabalho”, disse o treinador.

Apesar da distância que ficará da equipe, por conta dos meses de gravação no exterior,  Dedé pretende acompanhar os treinos por telefone e vídeo, tendo seus alunos mais antigos como porta-vozes das atividades na Nova União. Porém, com o termino das gravações, Dedé disse que pretende trazer BJ para fazer parte do seu camp no Rio, na academia Upper, e que já vislumbra um caminho para superar Edgar:

“A gente estudou muito o jogo do Edgar para a luta contra o Aldo, então acho que não tem mesmo lugar e sparrings melhores para o BJ voltar em grande estilo e motivado”, finalizou o treinador.

Devemos lembrar que, do outro lado da corda, Frankie Edgar conta também com dois grandes nomes do Jiu-Jitsu nos seus treinos: Renzo Gracie e Ricardo “Cachorrão” Almeida. Será que o gringo vai colocar um desses feras na sua equipe?

E mais, será esta edição do “TUF” a mais afiada em termos de treinos de Jiu-Jitsu? O que você gostaria de aprender com eles? Comente!