Love him or hate him, Gordon Ryan has completely changed the game in no gi Jiu Jitsu. He is the kind of grappler who forces people to pay attention. Whether you are following his submission victories or shaking your head at his latest online callout, Gordon has made sure no one can ignore him.
On the mats, his record speaks for itself. Multiple ADCC golds, a long list of dominant performances, and an almost unmatched ability to break down opponents piece by piece. He has won both in his weight class and in absolute divisions, and he has done it with a level of technical precision that few can match.
But Gordon is not just known for what he does in competition. He is one of the most outspoken athletes in the sport, often taking to social media to call out opponents, criticize rulesets, or weigh in on any topic he feels strongly about. For some fans, it is part of what makes him entertaining. For others, it is a reason to tune out. Either way, it is part of what makes him such a polarizing figure.
He has had some well-known rivalries, including his back and forth with Felipe Pena, his war of words with Andre Galvao, and of course, his training background with John Danaher and the team that became known as the Danaher Death Squad. Even after the team split, Gordon continued to lead the charge with his own group of training partners, still putting on dominant performances and releasing instructional content that a lot of people in the sport follow.
Outside of competition, he has also faced health issues that forced him to step away at times. But each time he returns, he seems to pick up right where he left off. Love him or not, he pushes the level of the sport higher every time he competes.
There is no question Gordon Ryan is one of the most talented grapplers to ever step on the mat. He is also one of the loudest voices off it. His legacy is already cemented in the world of Jiu Jitsu, and he is not done yet. Whether you are a fan of his technique, his attitude, or just watching the drama unfold, Gordon continues to be one of the most talked-about athletes in the sport.
