Frank Mir (L) and Robert Drysdale (R) – image via MMARing.si
When it comes to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas, many professional fighters seek out World Champion Robert Drysdale, including former UFC heavyweight champ Frank Mir.
Mir is expected to face undefeated Strikeforce Heavyweight World Grand Prix champion Daniel Cormier sometime this fall, becoming the first Octagon fighter to cross over to the SHOWTIME broadcasted events.
Drysdale, who is 4-0 as a professional mixed martial artist himself, tells Tatame.com that they have a “traps” set for the American Kickboxing Academy fighter.
Whom have you been coaching?
Frank Mir, Forrest Griffin… Vitor Belfort trained here when in Vegas. Dan Hardy trained here, Martin Kampmann, Matt Riddle… Everybody who comes to Vegas train here at the gym. No exceptions. There’re lots of guys, man.How do you see Frank Mir-Daniel Cormier fight going?
Man, it’s a hard one. It’s hard because the guy’s tough on the stand-up and has good takedowns. The mistake most people make when fighting Frank is underestimating him. Everybody that underestimates him gets caught. Frank’s a sniper, lands directs hits. He choses the right moment and lands it when finally does. It’s a tough fight but he’s prepared. We know it can go to the ground and Frank may be on the bottom and we’re training for that. I guess Frank has an advantage on striking. On the ground, if he (Cormier) makes a mistake, he’ll get caught. But he’s a tough guy, a guy whom we respect a lot. It’s a fight we’re taking very seriously. We never joke about a fight.Could you analyze Cormier’s ground game, since he hasn’t shown it on his fights so far?
He knows how to block Jiu-Jitsu. He knows what everybody knows: the anti Jiu-Jitsu. He knows how to defend an armbar and a triangle, has Wrestling base and a good posture. He won’t make a mistake, but we’re bringing some traps for him.But only defending Jiu-Jitsu is not enough when one is fighting Frank Mir.
Exactly. That’s what I tell people. You can’t make a mistake with him. I train with the guy. He goes smoothly, you think he’s not paying attention. Brother, the guy catches you and you don’t see that coming. You can’t tap, you have to scream. If you try to tap out he breaks you in half (laughs).
Despite training some of the top fighters, Drysdale is looking at furthering his own mma career, with a recent first round submission win taking place this past July under the Legacy Fighting Championship banner.
The former ADCC champ says he’s having problems finding opponents willing to face him for what Legacy FC can afford but hopes to be matched up versus a UFC veteran in the near future.
Have you been matched up?
It’s always f… hard finding someone to fight me.Nobody wants to fight you, is that it?
The shows I’ve been fighting at don’t pay well, so nobody wants to fight me for two, three grand. They want like ten, fifteen thousand and the guys don’t wanna pay it, so they argue about money. It’s hard, but I’m sure they’ll find a way. It’s always like that. I’m used to it.Will you fight at Legacy FC?
Yeah, it’s a Legacy fight again.Is it possible you fight for the belt?
That’s the plan. I have a couple more fights on the contract. I guess next fight won’t be a title fight but the third one might be. What I asked them is a UFC veteran. I asked them twice because I guess it’s a bigger fight. There’s no use on defeating someone who’s never been in the UFC. It’s not a big win. I want someone who’s been in there, a known guy so it makes a difference to my record. That’s what I asked them but it’s not an easy task. It’s not easy finding someone to fight me.