Robert Drysdale's Victory Over Marcelo Garcia Analyzed

Looking back at this classic submission grapplingand make it work for him he manages to shoot again
match, there is much to learn from these twothis time he is countered with the D'arce choke (also
phenomenal athletes and Brazilian jujitsu black belts.known as the Brabo choke). This choke along with the
Marcelo Garcia is arguably one of the greatestAnaconda choke is an extremely effective counter for
grapplers that has ever lived, who has submitted largerthe shoot and here Drysdale managed to use it
opponents like Ricco Rodriguez. I say this becauseperfectly. Marcelo Garcia is to blame for attempting
many people have claimed that he was beaten bythe same entry giving a very focused and strategic
Robert Drysdale stricktly because of Drysdale's sizeopponent like Drysdale a chance to focus on
advantage. While it is true that Drysdale significantlycountering a predictable entry on his opponent's part.
outweighs Marcelo Garcia, I will examine their matchDrysdale quickly sunk it in place and moved in to
up and uncover why it was more than just a sizeposition himself to use the most leverage to his
advantage that was responsible for Drysdale's victory.advantage while using the choke to get on top of
The match started off with both of them battling forGarcia, but Garcia tried with all his might to flatten on
grips and you can clearly see early on that Garciahis belly and resist but it was too late the choke was
spent more time being the aggressor and looking for asunk in place and it was just a matter of getting the
shoot to get in. After about a minute in the match hepositioning on Garcia to apply the pressure neccesary
succeeded at picking a single leg to which Drysdaleto secure the tap. This is where Drysdale's size came
remained calm and focused and regained his footinginto play and he was able to use it to force Garcia
after being taken down only to be taken down againover into the right position and squeeze the choke
and end up with Garcia in his guard. But this is wheregetting the tap.
Drysdale showed a very smart strategy andDrysdale won this fight by applying effective strategies
immediately stood up as soon as Garcia pulled out oflike in standing up from the guard. The guard has
his guard.become a go to position for some grapplers and this is
I would like to stress the importance of this strategy ofnot just a tactical error in a self defense situation it has
regarding the guard as a transitional position andenabled the sport of grappling to become boring
immediately standing back up from the guard as abecause of this misuse of the guard.
superior strategy than just hanging out in the guard andThis classic match should be viewed and analysed by
becoming too dependant on it. More on this in a bit.everyone practicing Brazilian jujitsu, grappling and
They lock up again and after a little bit more frustrationmixed martial arts. It will help improve your game better
on Garcia's part for his inability to maintain the clinchthan most instructional dvds will.