The victory didn’t come without some controversy attached, as Rohskopf told his corner in between rounds that he didn’t want to continue. However, cornerman Robert Drysdale seemingly refused to let Rohskopf quit, which led to the fighter telling the referee that he didn’t want to fight on.
Drysdale has faced some criticism for trying to make Rohskopf continue and Drysdale has now issued a video statement on Instagram addressing the situation:
Nolan King of MMA Junkie provided the following transcript of what Drysdale said in the video:
“I stand by what I did. I gave him the mental coach that he needed. I would expect the exact same thing from him if he was in my shoes – or any of my coaches for that matter. I expect nothing but greatness from the people around me. If they’re critiquing me, that’s love. That’s true love. That’s the only way to show you care for someone. It’s to make sure they’re giving the best version of themselves."
“If he had been seriously injured, I would have been the first one to stop that fight. I would’ve stopped that fight before anyone else. No one cares about him more than I do other than his immediate family.”
“He wasn’t seriously hurt. I know he was not in harm’s way. He was just frustrated. I was trying to give him a push so he overcame that frustration. I still believe he could have won the fight. I felt he won the first round. I don’t see how he lost the first round. He definitely lost (the second) round. I think he thought he could’ve turned it in the third. Even if not in an exciting matter, he could have won a decision. That’s what I was trying to get him to do.”
“If you pay close attention, I did call the fight at the very last second,” Drysdale said. “I did the right thing. I exhausted the 60 seconds and at the very last second, I called it. Strategically, that was the correct thing to do. I don’t regret my decision at all.”
“I think you should stand by some code of ethics that you don’t see in journalism today. The video is edited in a way that there is no context. It looks like he’s severely injured and clearly, he wasn’t. There needs to be more context to these things. But, it is what it is. I hope the UFC gives him another shot. I know he’s a champion. That doesn’t change how I feel about him one bit."
“… As for the haters, the only thing I recommend is that you give it a try one day. It’s easier said than done. You don’t see me writing critiques on academic papers on quantum physics. You know why? Because I don’t understand quantum physics. You don’t see me making critical statements about basketball or football – because I never played basketball or football. I barely understand any aspect of it, so I keep it to myself. I try to focus on the things I do understand. I understand fighting. Max was apt. He is apt to be a champion. I have no doubts about that.”
