It seems like just yesterday Robert Drysdale had announced that he would be making the transition to MMA. Now some three years later, he has finally made it to the big show, as the UFC has signed him to take on fellow light heavyweight Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 163.
Las Vegas Review-Journal originally reported the signing and the UFC confirmed it.
Drysdale (6-0) is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has won his fair share of BJJ medals, but has yet to taste MMA gold. As mentioned above he began his MMA career back in 2010 when he fought in the then British Columbia based promotion AFC where he defeated Bastien Huveneers. He went on to fight two more times for AFC and then continued his fight game with Legacy FC. Most recently he defeated D.J. Linderman at Legacy FC 19 in April. All six of his victories come via first round submission.
Oliveira (13-1-1) made his UFC debut at UFC 142 where he was submitted by fellow Brazilian Gabriel Gonzaga. He has recently been fighting some nagging injuries, but prior to the Gonzaga loss he was riding a 9-0-1 streak.
No word as to where on the fight card the match-up will be placed.
UFC 163 takes place on August 3rd in Rio de Janiero, Brazil. The main event is a featherweight championship bout between Jose “Scarface” Aldo and Anthony “Showtime” Pettis, and will also feature Demian Maia taking on Josh Koscheck.
