It was a long time in the making, but ADCC absolute and IBJJF World champion Robert Drysdale’s UFC debut went about as well as one could hope.
Facing Keith Berish in the opening bout of The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale card, Drysdale – the hometown Las Vegas, Nevada favorite – took control of the bout right away. The jiu-jitsu black belt level changed for a double leg takedown, which pushed Berish into the fence. The takedown proved successful and right away Drysdale went to work.
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Passing almost immediately, Berish turned, thereby essentially giving up his back. Drysdale locked up the body triangle and tried to finish with a neck crank, but couldn’t quite secure the finish.
Berish tried to shuck Drysdale off as he stood to his feet, but as he did, his post leg (the left one) buckled under the weight of the leaning Drysdale. As they hit the ground, Berish tapped as Drysdale appeared close to the rear naked finish anyway.
The tap officially came at 2:03 of the first round. Drysdale’s record stays perfect at 7-0 while Berish slides to 5-1.