Gordon Ryan is widely regarded as one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time. Born on July 8, 1995, in Monroe, New Jersey, Ryan began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at the age of 15 under Miguel Benitez before training with Tom deBlass and Garry Tonon.
Ryan's rise in the BJJ world was meteoric. He received his black belt in February 2016 from Garry Tonon, with John Danaher, Tom deBlass, and Ricardo Almeida sharing in the promotion. This came after an impressive six-month run as a brown belt, during which he won significant tournaments like the Newaza Challenge and the IBJJF No-Gi World Championship.
Known for his submission-oriented style, Ryan quickly made a name for himself in the no-gi and submission-only circuits. He has achieved numerous titles, including:
Ryan's ADCC performances have been particularly noteworthy. In 2019, he won both the -99kg and Absolute divisions. In 2022, he made history by winning the +99kg division and the Superfight against André Galvão, becoming the first grappler to win three different weight classes in ADCC.
As a member of the Danaher Death Squad (DDS) and later the New Wave Jiu Jitsu team, Ryan has become known for his exceptional leg lock game, back attacks, and overall strategic approach to grappling. He has defeated many top-tier opponents, including Felipe Pena, André Galvão, Buchecha, and Keenan Cornelius.Beyond competition, Ryan has made significant contributions to BJJ instruction through his online courses and seminars. He is known for his outspoken personality and active social media presence, which has contributed to his status as one of the most recognizable figures in modern grappling.
Gordon Ryan continues to compete at the highest level, solidifying his legacy as one of the most dominant grapplers in the history of the sport.
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