Not only is Robert Drysdale a BJJ and ADCC World Champion, he has also conducted extensive research into the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In this interview, he reveals some of what he’s discovered, including…

01:54 – The first wave of jiu-jitsu in Brazil – Helio Gracie and Carlos Gracie
04:35 – Exhibition and carnival fighting in Brazil
06:55 – Traditional jiu-jitsu style vs modified judo
12:14 – Training methods of the Gracie Academy in the ’30s, 40s and ’50s
18:43 – The second wave practitioners
19:47 – Waldemar Santana
22:49 – Carlson Gracie and the Rua Figueiredo Magalhães school
33:19 – How BJJ rule changes changed the sport
42:31 – Rolls Gracie
48:51 – Self-defense and Vale Tudo training
55:28 – Rolls Gracie death
1:00:55 – The Carlson Gracie tragedy
1:13:54 – Carlos Gracie Jr.
1:21:03 – Future rule changes, luta livre, and the sportification of jiu-jitsu
1:35:10 – The Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the book

You can grab Robert’s book, the Rise and Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which goes into MUCH more detail on these topics at https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Evolution-Brazilian-Jiu-Jitsu-Democratization/dp/B0C1JCNQ1P

Note that today’s episode was also published in my audio podcast, The Strenuous Life Podcast, as episode 387. Please find it at the links below:

The Strenuous Life on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/strenuous-life-podcast-stephan-kesting-grapplearts/id320705565?mt=2

The Strenuous Life on Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cDovL2tlc3RpbmcubGlic3luLmNvbS9yc3M=

The Strenuous Life on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5NTGdrtMZv8JcxpUBcdREx

The Strenuous Life on Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/stephan-kesting/grapplearts-radio-podcast

Cheers,
Stephan Kesting