Robert Drysdale to Make Octagon Debut at UFC 163

Decorated grappler Robert Drysdale is finally making his way to the Octagon.

Drysdale is expected to make his promotional debut against Ednaldo Oliveira at UFC 163 on Aug. 3 in Rio de Janeiro.

UFC officials confirmed the signing and Drysdale’s Octagon debut that was first reported on Tuesday by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Drysdale is a world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and won the 2007 Abu Dhabi open weight division. He is a grappler that numerous mixed martial artists have worked with to dial in their submission games.

Drysdale began competing in professional mixed martial arts competition in 2010 and has thus far amassed a spotless 6-0 record. He has submitted every opponent, D.J. Linderman being the most recent.

He’ll square off with Oliveira (13-1-1), who suffered the first loss of his career in January 2012 at UFC 142, his Octagon debut. That was a submission loss to Gabriel Gonzaga at heavyweight.

Oliveira has since planned to return at light heavyweight, but has fallen victim to the injury bug on a couple of occasions.

He hopes to make it back to the Octagon at UFC 163, where featherweight champion Jose Aldo puts his belt on the line against Anthony Pettis in the main event.