“Nicholas Meregali’s style is like that of a musician, with an artistic flourish,” said John Danaher, the legendary BJJ coach, contrasting it with Gordon Ryan’s more methodical approach, which he likened to that of a mathematician. Danaher highlighted the distinctiveness of these two star students in a recent video, emphasizing their differing styles and philosophies within the New Wave movement of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Despite Meregali’s rapid rise in the BJJ scene, Danaher stressed that he’s still in the early stages of development, with immense potential yet to be fully realized. He commended Meregali’s intuitive grasp of jiu-jitsu and his ability to quickly absorb new techniques, suggesting that fans have only glimpsed a fraction of his capabilities.
On the other hand, Gordon Ryan is currently facing health challenges, according to Danaher, who expressed the team’s longing for his presence in the training room. Danaher pointed out that while both Ryan and Meregali are highly effective, they approach grappling differently. Meregali leans more towards intuition and improvisation, whereas Ryan is known for his systematic and strategic approach.
Danaher concluded by acknowledging that both Ryan and Meregali bring unique strengths to the Danaher Death Squad. Their contrasting styles and philosophies add an intriguing dimension to their progression in the sport, leaving fans eager to witness how their paths diverge and evolve in the future.
You can watch the interview here:
