Tag: Robert Drysdale

‘The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler’ Episode 5 recap: A ‘diva’ and ‘unfinished fights’ spark frustration

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: McGregor vs. Chandler” returned as internal frustration built among one team, and Conor McGregor lost his cool.

“The Ultimate Fighter 31: Team McGregor vs. Team Chandler” returned Tuesday for Episode 5 as the anger begins to mount internally on one team – and externally through the second team’s coach.

On Episode 5, the matchup between [autotag]Brad Katona[/autotag] and [autotag]Carlos Vera[/autotag] finally happens after a disagreement and negotiations between coaches from each team pertaining to the weight class.

The season runs from May 30 to Aug. 15 with the live finale expected for later this year. The promotion also intends for coaches [autotag]Conor McGregor[/autotag] and [autotag]Michael Chandler[/autotag] to square off in the months that follow the conclusion of the season.

Scroll below for a recap of Episode 5 and make sure to check out an exclusive insider look from “TUF 31” cast member Kurt Holobaugh, who will peel back the curtain on MMA Junkie the morning after each episode airs.

Video: Robert Drysdale releases statement following UFC on ESPN 11 criticism

Robert Drysdale is standing by his actions.

[autotag]Robert Drysdale[/autotag] is standing by his actions.

The lead cornerman for UFC newcomer [autotag]Max Rohskopf[/autotag], Drysdale was criticized by many in the MMA space for his work during Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 11.

In a video statement released Sunday, Drysdale, a former UFC fighter and elite jiu-jitsu practitioner, stood by his cornering. Drysdale said it’s a lot easier for people to criticize from the outside when they don’t have all the facts.

“I stand by what I did,” Drysdale said. “I gave him the mental coach that he needed. I would expect the exact same thing from him if he was in my shoes – or any of my coaches for that matter. I expect nothing but greatness from the people around me. If they’re critiquing me, that’s love. That’s true love. That’s the only way to show you care for someone. It’s to make sure they’re giving the best version of themselves.

“If he had been seriously injured, I would have been the first one to stop that fight. I would’ve stopped that fight before anyone else. No one cares about him more than I do other than his immediate family.”

Had he thought Rohskopf’s issue was physical, Drysdale said he would’ve been the first to stop the fight. However, Drysdale said knowing Max, the issue was mental and emotional. He was trying to give Rohskopf a push to go out for the third round in a fight Drysdale deemed winnable.

“He wasn’t seriously hurt,” Drysdale said. “I know he was not in harm’s way. He was just frustrated. I was trying to give him a push so he overcame that frustration. I still believe he could have won the fight. I felt he won the first round. I don’t see how he lost the first round. He definitely lost (the second) round. I think he thought he could’ve turned it in the third. Even if not in an exciting matter, he could have won a decision. That’s what I was trying to get him to do.”

According to Drysdale, he made the decision to call off Rohskopf’s fight at the last second. He said he was trying to give his fighter as much time to change his mind as possible.

“If you pay close attention, I did call the fight at the very last second,” Drysdale said. “I did the right thing. I exhausted the 60 seconds and at the very last second, I called it. Strategically, that was the correct thing to do. I don’t regret my decision at all.”

From there, Drysdale criticized the media for its coverage of the sequence of events on Sunday. Whether it be the media or “the haters,” Drysdale said he would never step into another profession’s realm and critique the experts. He hopes people will give him that same respect.

“I think you should stand by some code of ethics that you don’t see in journalism today,” Drysdale said. “The video is edited in a way that there is no context. It looks like he’s severely injured and clearly, he wasn’t. There needs to be more context to these things. But, it is what it is. I hope the UFC gives him another shot. I know he’s a champion. That doesn’t change how I feel about him one bit.

“… As for the haters, the only thing I recommend is that you give it a try one day. It’s easier said than done. You don’t see me writing critiques on academic papers on quantum physics. You know why? Because I don’t understand quantum physics. You don’t see me making critical statements about basketball or football – because I never played basketball or football. I barely understand any aspect of it, so I keep it to myself. I try to focus on the things I do understand. I understand fighting. Max was apt. He is apt to be a champion. I have no doubts about that.”

Check out Drysdale’s full statement below:

[vertical-gallery id=528526]

[vertical-gallery id=528604]

Off Guard: Retired from fighting, Robert Drysdale explains unique coaching mindset

Undefeated as a fighter, Robert Drysdale has officially called it quits and is turning his attention to coaching.

[autotag]Robert Drysdale[/autotag] is calling it quits on his fighting career.

Well technically, he retired awhile back, but he didn’t let anyone know it right away. However, in a recent post on Facebook, Drysdale (7-0) officially announced the end of the road.

Earlier this month, he opened up to MMA Junkie about the decision to call it quits despite going undefeated as a pro.

“I just didn’t want to do it anymore,” Drysdale said. “My heart wasn’t in the right place. I always told myself I was going to do it for the right reasons … because basically I wanted to prove to myself I could. … There were some things missing that I would have liked to have done, but nothing’s perfect.”

What’s next for Drysdale? The Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt, like many other retired fighters, will continue his legacy in MMA as a coach. Unlike his fellow retirees, however, a coaching position is where Drysdale started out in MMA – not as a fighter.

“There’s a reason why people turn into coaches once they retire,” Drysdale said. “And my career was backwards in that regard. I was cornering UFC title fights when I was 0-0 into my late 20s. So it’s not something I was prepared for. It’s very different now.”

[lawrence-related id=461844,457844]

Drysdale believes the unusual journey to this point will give him an advantageous mindset as a coach. Throughout his MMA career, he was able to analyze the coaching he received from a coach’s perspective.

“My mindset as a coach is a reflex to my mistakes as a fighter or the things that I thought my coaches weren’t doing right in my opinion,” Drysdale said. “I’ve learned from that experience. … I think there’s a lot more to MMA than being technically and physically and mentally ready.”

Drysdale was successful inside the cage, but that doesn’t mean he always felt comfortable. The mental and emotional toll of fighting weighed on Drysdale, which is one aspect he won’t have to weigh as a coach.

“I’m more confident about this than I ever was about my fighting career,” Drysdale said. “Fighting was always something very difficult because I had to confront my fears and anxiety. I was terrified of fighting, and it was very difficult for me emotionally.

“Because some these guys walk into the cage like it’s nothing. To me, it was very hard. I overcame that even though it was very difficult. Even though I did well, I was never as confident about that career as I am about my career as a coach. Because I really feel that this is my calling more than fighting was.”

In his lone UFC appearance, Drysdale submitted Keith Berish at The Ultimate Fighter 19 Finale in July 2014. The victory was eventually ruled a no contest after Drysdale tested positive for elevated testosterone levels. He was subsequently released by the UFC.

After he served his suspension, Drysdale return to pro MMA action at Legacy FC 58 in July 2016 when he submitted future UFC light heavyweight Ryan Spann by second-round rear-naked choke.

Check out MMA Junkie’s full “Off Guard” interview with Robert Drysdale in the video above.

[vertical-gallery id=391998]