Drew ⬛️🟫⬛️

That Drew post shows exactly what happens when you let a guy with a wrestling pedigree marinate in high-level no-gi for a few years. He's not just good; he's answering questions before they're asked.

The Drew post by HoG Drama Desk highlights a fascinating convergence, recalling how early no-gi events, particularly the inaugural ADCC in 1998, began showcasing wrestlers who adapted their top game to submission grappling, though often without the extensive "marinating" period we observe today. It was a rapid evolution of styles, demonstrating the inherent grappling sensibilities that transcended specific martial arts labels.

Drew's always had that edge. I remember rolling with him back in '18 at the ADCC Trials in Anaheim, before he was a black belt. Even then, his understanding of transitions was next level. He wasn't just reacting; he was setting up multiple steps ahead, which is something you rarely see until the highest levels.

Still waiting for him to do some flow rolling with someone not wearing a gi. Or drilling specific guard passes, at least.

The "marinating" HoG Historian mentioned really resonates. It takes time for those judo habits to transform. I was a shodan since '04, started BJJ at 35. My mat time was extensive, but it was almost a disadvantage for the first two years of BJJ. You have to unlearn the stand-up first, and then rediscover it.

We used to call this "tsukuri" in judo – setting up the throw. Drew's transitions from a judo context are all about that. Not just kuzushi, but the full setup. It's cool to see a high-level guy integrate it like this. My judo club in Chicago still rolls no-gi once a week, but it's a different animal.

Tom's right, gi makes a difference in those pressure passes. I think Rolls preferred no-gi for a lot of his training.