On August 26, 2025 I had the privilege of sitting with former ADCC absolute and IBJJF worlds champion professor Robert Drysdale in his home. Prof. Drysdale is an accomplished fighter, teacher, competitor, and historian who has dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence in jiu jitsu.

For prof. Drysdale, jitsu jitsu was a means to prove himself. An art he threw himself tirelessly into for decades. Now he also sees it as a responsibility to future generations to preserve the history of the art by documenting its inception, its evolution, and its proliferation to almost every corner of the globe. Robert has published 4 books on the history and modern state of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and continues to teach students and competitors in Las Vegas Nevada at his facility: Zenith Jiu Jitsu by Robert Drysdale.

In this episode of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, we discuss:

- what it was like coming up in the late 90s early 2000s

- jiu jitsu as a means to prove one's self

- taparia and other practices that have fallen by the wayside

- modern day competition and so much more!

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Many thanks to Professor Robert Drysdale for generously sharing his time and his experience with me on a busy afternoon during the IBJJF's jiu jitsu con.