Gordon Ryan
A no-gi system built on control and finishing
- Born
- July 8, 1995, Monroe Township, New Jersey, US
- Nationality
United States- Height
- 188 cm (6′2″)
- Reach
- 196 cm (6′5″)
- Style
- Systematic submission hunter
- Weight
- ADCC -88 kg, ADCC -99 kg, ADCC +99 kg, Absolute
- Active
- 2014–2024
- Status
- Retired · age 31
The record
BJJ Heroes record in major events, 2016-2024: wins by 82 submissions, 6 on points, 2 on advantages, 4 by referee decision, 6 in EBI overtime; 1 of 5 losses by submission. Wikipedia's full-career table, including colored belts, lists 157-9-3.
7× ADCC World Champion (4 tournament titles + 3 superfights); IBJJF No-Gi World champion 2018 (weight and absolute)
The story
ordon Ryan grew up in New Jersey and began grappling at 15, later training under John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy as part of the group known as the Danaher Death Squad. Promoted to black belt in 2016, he won Eddie Bravo Invitational titles and went on to become the defining no-gi competitor of his era. At ADCC he won the under-88 kg division in 2017, both the under-99 kg and absolute divisions in 2019 and the over-99 kg division in 2022, then beat André Galvão, Felipe Pena and Yuri Simões in superfights. BJJ Heroes credits him with 82 submissions in 102 black-belt wins, built on a methodical system of positional control, back attacks and leg locks. Persistent stomach illness limited his later years, and he announced his retirement from competition in February 2026.
Tap a technique with an arrow to learn how it works.
- ADCC champion (2017 -88 kg; 2019 -99 kg and absolute; 2022 +99 kg)
- ADCC superfight winner (2022; two in 2024)
- IBJJF No-Gi World and No-Gi Pan champion 2018 (weight and absolute)
- Four-time Eddie Bravo Invitational champion
Defining matches
- 2017WINvs Keenan Cornelius (mounted guillotine, ADCC -88 kg final)
- 2017LOSSvs Felipe Pena (points, ADCC absolute final)
- 2019WINvs Marcus Almeida (penalty, ADCC absolute final)
- 2022WINvs André Galvão (rear-naked choke, ADCC superfight)
- 2024WINvs Felipe Pena (2-0 on points, ADCC superfight)
Study Gordon's inside heel hook system: enter the inside sankaku (saddle), pinch your knees to pin the leg, trap the heel in your elbow crease and turn your whole body rather than just your arms. Drill it slowly and only with partners who tap early.
