Author: Garrett Derr

Robert Drysdale: "I’m Not Ready for the UFC"

Robert Drysdale has been around the art of jiu-jitsu for as long as most can remember.However, it wasn’t until less than two years ago when Drysdale took the ring for the very first time to kick off his mixed martial arts career.Drysdale would be decla…

Robert Drysdale has been around the art of jiu-jitsu for as long as most can remember.

However, it wasn’t until less than two years ago when Drysdale took the ring for the very first time to kick off his mixed martial arts career.

Drysdale would be declared victorious in just 1:12 via arm-triangle choke and went on to win his next two in similar fashion.

Now at the age of 30, Drysdale recently signed with the Legacy Fighting Championship in hopes of continuing his success in the world of MMA.

Drysdale recently sat down with Bleacher Report and shared of his hard but pleasureful journey to LFC.

 

Garrett Derr: You’ve been around martial arts for a long, long time and you’re just now getting into fighting competitively. Do you think you’ve waited too long or feel age will be an issue with the remaining part of your journey?

Robert Drysdale: I’ve been doing martial arts and competing and training three times a day for 10 years now. I’ve gotten to see the sport really change over the years, especially jiu-jitsu. My pure jiu-jitsu skills may be hurt a little, but nothing too significant.

I may not be a step ahead like I used to be, but I definitely still have with it takes to compete at the highest level. It might have caught up to me a little bit since the sport has changed a lot and I have aged a little. But, my stand-up and hands have gotten a lot better since, so it’s give and take.

 

GD: Now we know you’re set to take on Isaac Villanueva on May 11th, so what can you really tell us about your opponent?

RD: Villanueva is a really good fighter. I don’t know a ton about him but I do know that he’s very experienced and has fought a lot more guys than I have. I’m taking this fight very, very serious and I’m excited about it.”

I got plenty of time to prepare, but so does he. I’m looking forward to the challenge and he’ll be my toughest opponent to date. But at the end of the day, it’s just another step up the ladder. I’m training for this fight just as much as I do any other fight. I train every fight like it’s a title shot. I just need to make sure I win every fight.

 

GD: A win would be you’re fourth straight in as many fights, so what’s really the next step if you’re able to get by Villanueva? Is the UFC a possibility?

RD: You know, that’s a great question but I think it’s a mutual agreement that I need more experience. If I got called today I would say no to be completely honest with you. I need two, three, maybe even four more fights before I’m ready to even discuss it. I want to make sure that I win every one of those bouts as well before I start talking to them.

You don’t get too many chances at the UFC. I don’t want to be there just to be there. I want to become a champ, so I don’t want to get in there just for the heck of it. I don’t want to tell people that I know that I was in the UFC and just sort of was an average career. I want to be ready when I get in there, and I’m not right now. I’m not on the level of the guys in my division right now. So, until I’m ready, I won’t be making the jump to the UFC.

 

GD: Behind every fighter is a normal human being. So when you’re not fighting, what’s life like?

RD: I’m a boring person man. I just had a baby girl and she’s 10 months old. I never thought I would enjoy playing with the baby so much. I spend so much time with her and I love it. I’m a nerd too since I really like to read. I’ll read a book every week sometimes. I can go in phases, though, but generally I’m reading two to three books at a time.

I also play video games. I stay away from the addicting ones though. I can’t get hooked, so I only play an hour or so at a time. I’m also intrigued by soccer because I grew up in Brazil. I hate to watch it but love to play it. I also love mountain biking, but for the most part I enjoy just staying home and spending time with my family

 

GD: Every great fighter has that one person that’s really been by their side since day one. So who has this person been in your life?

RD: That position is not even a challenge. My mother. My mom was a world-class swimmer and is just a great person in general. When I was 18, jiu-jitsu was something I wanted to be doing forever. Everyone around me told me to get a job and that I couldn’t be karate kid my whole life. I was told to go get a suit and a job.

I was having too much fun and had no expectations. I loved life too much to care about what was happening down the road. This whole time my mom was the only person who supported me. I lived with my mom until I was 26 because I was broke until then. She always told me to stick to it and that she was going to help me. I love her very much and I’m thankful to have her in my life.

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

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MMA: The World Responds to Ronda Rousey’s Armbar Victory over Miesha Tate

Miesha Tate (12-3) and Ronda Rousey (5-0) entered the Hexagon for what would result in one of the most epic showdowns in women’s mixed martial arts history.When the opening bell sounded, it was Tate who came out of the gate swinging for the fences but …

Miesha Tate (12-3) and Ronda Rousey (5-0) entered the Hexagon for what would result in one of the most epic showdowns in women’s mixed martial arts history.

When the opening bell sounded, it was Tate who came out of the gate swinging for the fences but Rousey would survive the early series of strikes.

After using her experience in judo to place Tate on her back, Rousey attempted her first of two armbar submissions.

To the surprise of many, Tate was able to scramble out and get back on her feet, as Rousey had already endured the longest bout of her career once the clock struck one minute.

Then, with just under a minute remaining in Round 1, Rousey would place Tate in yet another armbar—only this time connecting.

The bout was stopped at 4:27 of the opening frame as the world exploded in excitement after Rousey became Strikeforce’s newest bantamweight champion.

 

No. 1 bantamweight contender and future Ultimate Fighter coach Urijah Faber responds to Rousey’s armbar submission.

 

 

 

 

Former Division I wrestler at Penn State University and current Top 10 UFC light heavyweight Phil Davis weighs in with his thoughts.

 

 

 

Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson shows overwhelming excitement following Rousey’s victory by yet another armbar.

 

 

 

 

Yahoo’s finest, Kevin Iole, expresses his thoughts following one of the greatest bouts in women’s mixed martial arts history.

 

 

 

 

All things related MMA goes off on Tate’s boyfriend Bryan Caraway, who had plenty of things to say prior to Rousey becoming the newest bantamweight champion.

 

 

 

 

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Strikeforce Results: Will Ronda Rousey Fight Gina Carano in the Future?

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey (5-0) proved her nickname to be true when action began in her main-event meeting with bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (12-3) in Columbus, Ohio last evening.Rousey survived an early storm only to throw Tate on her back and show th…

Ronda “Rowdy” Rousey (5-0) proved her nickname to be true when action began in her main-event meeting with bantamweight champion Miesha Tate (12-3) in Columbus, Ohio last evening.

Rousey survived an early storm only to throw Tate on her back and show the world her exceptional judo skills.

Once Rousey was able to place Tate on her back, the world knew it was just a matter of time until the expected armbar attempt was put into place.

Then, with just over 30 seconds remaining in Round 1, the championship bout was stopped as Rousey had connected on her fifth straight victory by armbar allowing her to become the new 135-pound title holder.

Rousey’s dominant success since joining the sport of mixed martial arts has the sports fans in an uproar.

What’s next for the judo and armbar mastermind?

A showdown with Sarah Kaufman?

A possible rematch with Tate?

How about an unfriendly run-in with former women’s featherweight champion, Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos after her suspension is lifted?

While these seem to be the realistic options moving forward, many have not forgotten about the converted movie star Gina Carano (7-1) who hasn’t fought in two-and-a-half years.

Carano, a former 145-pound No. 1 contender was clearly the second-best pound-for-pound featherweight in the world during her time in MMA.

Many fail to realize that Rousey’s original weight was 145 pounds, this ultimately resulting in a potential bout with Carano in the future.

However, with Carano’s change in lifestyle it’s plausible to question if she’ll ever even make the return to the cage.

But, Carano hasn’t shutdown a possible return to the sport she still deeply loves.

And, if she does return, could we see a Rousey vs. Carano showdown for the women’s bantamweight title?

It seems to be a stretch but nothing is ever out of the realm of possibilities.

Could we see Rousey and Carano battling it out in the near future?

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

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Ronda Rousey: Will Rousey Fight Cyborg Santos After Suspension?

A few months ago, it was hard to envision a more dominant fighter in women’s mixed martial arts than Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (10-1-1). Santos was hands down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and held complete control the Strikeforce’s fea…

A few months ago, it was hard to envision a more dominant fighter in women’s mixed martial arts than Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos (10-1-1). Santos was hands down the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world and held complete control the Strikeforce’s featherweight division. In fact, after falling in the first fight of her MMA career, Santos went on to win 10 consecutive bouts with just two fights in the hands of the judges’ scorecards.

But Santos’ fame and fortune came tumbling down after she was officially suspended by Strikeforce after testing positive for steroids.

Still, Strikeforce didn’t miss a beat, as former featherweight Ronday Rousey (5-0) made the transition to fight for the bantamweight championship in what would result in one of the most heated women’s bouts of all time.

Rousey would go on to defeat Miesha Tate and become Strikeforce’s newest 135-pound champion.

Not only has Rousey yet to fall to the hands of defeat, but she’s also been nearly untouchable, as her hand has been raised in the opening frame of every fight she’s participated in.

Rousey now has five wins, with all five victories a direct result of her vicious armbar.

While Santos still has some time to serve until her suspension is lifted, it’s likely we could see these two battling it out once she returns.

With women’s MMA receiving more buzz than ever, it’s very possible Rousey vs. Santos could turn into one of the greatest showdowns in Strikeforce history.

This wishful thinking leads to one final question: Will we see Rousey and Santos squaring off in the future?

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com

Strikeforce Results: What Is Next for Miesha Tate After Brutal Loss?

The one problem women’s mixed martial arts has come to see is its inconsistent depth in the division.However, with the sport on the upswing it’s likely we’ll see a change in growth over the next several years as it’s popularity continues to soar.The in…

The one problem women’s mixed martial arts has come to see is its inconsistent depth in the division.

However, with the sport on the upswing it’s likely we’ll see a change in growth over the next several years as it’s popularity continues to soar.

The inconsistent depth of women’s MMA—specifically the Strikeforce bantamweight division—results in a difficult time for matchmaking.

As we’ve seen, Ronda Rousey was able to escape last night’s main event without a single scratch en route to becoming the newest bantamweight champion in the world.

Rousey’s next opponent seems to be set in stone, as Sarah Kaufman appears to be the obvious choice.

However, what about Miesha Tate (12-3) who is coming off her first loss in nearly three years?

One might hope for a rematch with Marloes Coenen to see who gets placed in line for a title shot later down the road. However, Coenen has now signed with another organization leaving limited opponents for Tate.

One opponent who Tate has yet to face is bantamweight Alexis Davis (11-5) who is also coming off a defeat to Kaufman by unanimous decision.

Davis appears to have a well-rounded skill set as she has a tendency to finish her opponent, but also demonstrates the conditioning skills to arrive to the judge’s scorecards.

Tate vs. Davis seems to be an ideal matchup, as the two look to get their careers back on track.

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

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Strikeforce Results: What Is Next for Ronda Rousey?

After one of the most heated feuds in women’s mixed martial arts history, Miesha Tate (12-3) and Ronda Rousey (5-0) finally entered the cage to determine who held rights to the Strikeforce bantamweight championship.When action began, it was Tate who ca…

After one of the most heated feuds in women’s mixed martial arts history, Miesha Tate (12-3) and Ronda Rousey (5-0) finally entered the cage to determine who held rights to the Strikeforce bantamweight championship.

When action began, it was Tate who came out of the gate swinging for the fences, but Rousey would survive the early series of strikes.

In fact, Rousey would move on to dominate the remaining portion of the opening frame as she used her expertise in judo to place Tate on her back and finish her—you guessed it—via armbar.

Rousey now holds a perfect record of five wins with no losses as every single one of her victories have come within Round 1 and all have been by the dangerous armbar.

However, Rousey’s best competition may be yet to come.

Sarah Kaufman (15-1) also took part in Saturday’s Strikeforce showdown as she prevailed with her 15th victory in just 16 outings.

Kaufman appears to be next for Rousey as she’s the clear-cut No. 2 bantamweight in the world following Tate’s fall from glory. And to Rousey’s disadvantage, Kaufman has also defeated Tate in a bout that may considered to not even be close.

However, to Rousey’s advantage, Kaufman’s only loss has come by—you guessed it again—the armbar.

Fans should be surprised to see anyone but Kaufman challenging Rousey for her new 135-pound title next.

 

For additional information, follow Garrett Derr on Twitter.

Read more MMA news on BleacherReport.com