Gordon Ryan

Gordon Ryan is widely seen as the top no-gi grappler of his generation. He won the ADCC World Championship in three weight classes and the open class, won three superfights at the same event and, in February 2026, at age 30, announced he was stepping away from competition because of health problems.

Born on July 8, 1995, in Monroe, New Jersey, he received his black belt in February 2016 from Garry Tonon, under the guidance of John Danaher. That same year he suffered the only submission loss of his black belt career, in a superfight against Felipe Pena. In 2018 he won the IBJJF No-Gi Worlds in both his weight class and the open class.

His ADCC run began in 2017, with gold at 88 kg and silver in the open class, where he lost the final on points to the same Felipe Pena. In 2019 he won the 99 kg division and the open class, beating Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida in the final. In 2022 he won the over-99 kg division and, in the superfight, submitted André Galvão with a rear naked choke. In 2024 he fought two superfights and won both, against Felipe Pena and Yuri Simões.

Matches became rare after that. Ryan described a chronic stomach problem, tied to recurring infections and prolonged antibiotic use, and said he has not been able to train hard since January 2024. On February 17, 2026, he wrote on social media: “For now, I can confidently say, I am done.” He left the door open to a return if his health improves and turned his attention to Kingsway, his gym in Austin, Texas.