Gordon Ryan: The King of No-Gi Grappling

Gordon Ryan built his reputation on control. Fans call him "The King," and in the no-gi world, few would argue with the title. He has spent the last decade collecting ADCC gold medals across multiple weight classes, a feat almost nobody else in the sport's history can claim.

Who Is Gordon Ryan?

Ryan was born on July 8, 1995, in Monroe Township, New Jersey. He started grappling at 15 under Miguel Benitez before moving to New York to train under John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy. That switch changed everything. Danaher's systematic approach to leg locks and back control gave Ryan a framework he could build a career on (Wikipedia).

He received his black belt in February 2016. Garry Tonon awarded it, with Danaher, Tom DeBlass, and Ricardo Almeida all sharing credit for the promotion. Ryan became one of the first products of what fans would later call the Danaher Death Squad, a group of grapplers who reshaped how no-gi jiu-jitsu is taught and competed.

How He Started

Ryan's rise was fast. He won IBJJF No-Gi Worlds gold as a brown belt, a rare accomplishment before even earning a black belt. Once he did get his black belt, he moved straight into ADCC competition, the toughest submission grappling tournament in the world.

His first ADCC gold came in 2017 in the -88kg division, where he also took silver in the absolute bracket. That result put the grappling world on notice. He backed it up two years later.

Competitive Record and Notable Wins

In 2019, Ryan won gold in both the -99kg division and the absolute division at ADCC, a rare double that few competitors ever pull off in the same year (Wikipedia).

The signature moment of his career came in 2022. Ryan won gold in the +99kg division, then stepped into the ADCC superfight against Andre Galvao, a legend with multiple superfight titles of his own. Ryan took Galvao down, worked to his back, and finished with a rear-naked choke. The win made him the first competitor in ADCC history to win gold in three separate weight divisions (BJJ Heroes).

He returned again in 2024, winning superfight golds against Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes. Pena has been his most persistent rival over the years, with the two trading wins across several high-profile matches.

Fighting Style and Signature Techniques

Ryan's game is built on pressure and patience. He grinds opponents down from top position, works through leg entanglements when needed, and specializes in taking the back. Once he gets there, his rear-naked choke and other finishes from back control are considered some of the most technically sound in the sport. Critics call his style methodical; his results call it effective.

Legacy and Current Status

Ryan has said publicly that he considers himself retired from full-time competition, largely due to ongoing health issues including gastroparesis. Even so, he continues to compete selectively when the right matches come up. He now runs his own academy in Austin, Texas, which he opened in 2021 after relocating his training operation away from the New York area.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ADCC titles does Gordon Ryan have? He has won ADCC gold across three different weight divisions (2017, 2019, and 2022), plus additional superfight golds in 2022 and 2024.

Who is Gordon Ryan's black belt under? Garry Tonon awarded his black belt in 2016, with John Danaher, Tom DeBlass, and Ricardo Almeida also credited in his promotion.

What is Gordon Ryan's signature technique? Back control and rear-naked choke finishes, built on a pressure-passing and top-control game developed under John Danaher.

Is Gordon Ryan still competing? He describes himself as semi-retired due to health issues but still competes in select high-profile matches.

Who is Gordon Ryan's biggest rival? Felipe Pena, with additional notable matches against Andre Galvao and Lachlan Giles.

The Bottom Line

Gordon Ryan didn't just win titles, he changed how people think about no-gi grappling. His run across three ADCC weight divisions, capped by the win over Andre Galvao, put him in a category most competitors never reach.