Big Dan Manasoiu, the 2024 ADCC bronze medalist and rising star in the grappling world, recently opened up about a serious health battle he has been facing. Known for his imposing size and technical prowess on the mats, Big Dan shocked his followers when he revealed he had been diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis, a condition that has led to kidney damage. Rhabdomyolysis, often caused by extreme physical exertion, is characterized by the breakdown of muscle tissue, which releases harmful proteins into the bloodstream, overloading the kidneys.
In an Instagram post, Big Dan shared the difficult road he has been on, explaining the severity of his condition:
“Health update! F*cked but getting better :)))
It’s been exactly 75 days since I was diagnosed with rhabdomyolysis and now have kidney damage. I’ve had roughly 70 IVs started on me and close to 150 liters of fluids pumped into me these past two months. I’m finally able to kinda roll although I can’t do more than one or two rounds without being completely gassed and dying in a corner, but at least I’m not pissing as dark as Coca-Cola anymore.”
Despite the gravity of his situation, Big Dan shared a bit of humor in his post, reflecting on his ongoing recovery. The grappler mentioned that he narrowly avoided dialysis and is slowly seeing his kidney function return to normal. His creatinine kinase levels, a marker of muscle breakdown, remain elevated but are now within an acceptable range.
He credited his doctors and close friends, Dr. Collier and Trent Turner, for their exceptional care during his ordeal and expressed his determination to come back stronger:
“Next gonna do some ultrasounds to see if I have permanent damage but doctors don’t think that’s the case. Thank you in particular to @drcollier and @trentturnerandthemoontowers for being amazing doctors and friends and taking care of me during this time. I will be back stronger.”
Manasoiu, a teammate of Gordon Ryan, has faced his health struggles amidst a grueling training regimen. Fans speculated whether overtraining or other factors were the cause of his condition, with one asking if it was related to performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), a common topic of discussion in the grappling community, especially given Ryan’s open admission of PED use throughout his career. Big Dan responded candidly when asked if “juicing since he was 17” played a role in his condition:
“Lol 17 huh hahaha that’s a compliment,” he joked, dismissing the claim with humor.
Big Dan further clarified that his rhabdomyolysis was a result of overtraining in the lead-up to ADCC, a condition not uncommon in intense fitness circles like CrossFit. Despite his health challenges, he pushed through to compete in one of the most prestigious grappling tournaments in the world.
This health revelation comes at a time when Gordon Ryan, the king of No-Gi grappling and a frequent training partner of Big Dan, has also battled numerous health issues over the years, including chronic stomach problems and infections. The duo’s physical trials have highlighted the immense strain elite athletes often endure in their pursuit of greatness.
As Big Dan continues his recovery, fans and teammates alike are rallying behind him, eagerly awaiting his return to full strength on the mats. His transparency and humor through this difficult time have only deepened the admiration of those who follow his journey.
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Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
