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No Gi GOAT Gordon Ryan Dismisses Ecological Jiu-Jitsu as “Re*arded”

No Gi GOAT Gordon Ryan Dismisses Ecological Jiu-Jitsu as “Re*arded”

The debate surrounding Ecological Jiu-Jitsu has taken another turn, with Gordon Ryan weighing in on the subject in a recent exchange with Dan Manasoiu. The reigning ADCC champion admitted he was unfamiliar with the concept before ultimately rejecting it outright.

A leaked WhatsApp conversation between Ryan and Manasoiu revealed Ryan’s initial confusion, as he asked:

“So what is ecological jj? It’s just positional sparring, isn’t it?”

Upon learning that the approach discourages learning technique in favor of live training, Ryan was incredulous, responding:

“That can’t be real.”

As the conversation continued and Manasoiu clarified that Ecological BJJ dismisses structured technical instruction altogether, Ryan bluntly replied:

“That’s rearded.”*

This exchange has reignited the ongoing debate within the grappling community. Some argue that Ecological Jiu-Jitsu represents a groundbreaking approach to learning, while others see it as nothing more than a repackaging of traditional methods under a new name.

What is Ecological Jiu-Jitsu?

Ecological Jiu-Jitsu is an approach to grappling that emphasizes learning through live training rather than structured instruction. Instead of focusing on isolated drills or memorizing techniques, practitioners are encouraged to engage in unscripted sparring scenarios that force them to adapt to real-time problems. This approach aligns with ecological psychology, which suggests that skills should be learned in the context in which they are used rather than in artificial or segmented environments.

For example, instead of drilling an armbar from closed guard repeatedly with a compliant partner, an Ecological Jiu-Jitsu class might create a live training scenario where students are only allowed to finish submissions from guard under resistance. This forces students to discover and refine techniques dynamically. Similarly, rather than explicitly teaching a specific guard retention technique, an instructor using the ecological method might give students the task of preventing their partner from passing while the partner applies full resistance, allowing them to develop solutions organically.

Greg Souders’ Ecological Approach Under Fire

Greg Souders, the most vocal advocate for the Ecological Dynamics approach, insists that his method is a revolutionary departure from conventional Jiu-Jitsu instruction. He has openly criticized the need for technical study before training, calling it:

“the craziest thing”

he has ever heard. Souders even dismissed John Danaher’s instructional material—widely regarded as some of the most comprehensive in the sport—suggesting that grapplers should ignore technical breakdowns altogether.

Manasoiu, an ADCC bronze medalist and a longtime student of Danaher, has taken issue with these claims. He has labeled the Ecological Approach as:

“misinformation”

and accused its proponents of:

“diluting the essence of the sport.”

Manasoiu contends that human progress is built upon refining knowledge rather than discarding it. In response to Souders’ stance, he has issued a challenge for a public debate to settle the matter—a debate that is set to take place today.

The Jiu-Jitsu Community Remains Divided

Even among high-level competitors, there is skepticism about the necessity of Ecological BJJ’s purported innovations. Gianni Grippo, a well-respected black belt competitor, acknowledged that while he has seen positive results from ecological training in certain situations, it does not render traditional methods obsolete.

Meanwhile, BJJ legend Gui Mendes was quick to dismiss the movement altogether, stating:

“You guys and these crazy names. Just say drilling with reaction.”

The conversation around Ecological Jiu-Jitsu continues to polarize the community, with passionate supporters and staunch critics on both sides. Some believe it offers a fresh perspective on skill acquisition, while others argue it is an unnecessary rejection of proven learning methods. With the debate between Manasoiu and Souders looming, the grappling world is watching closely to see whether Ecological Jiu-Jitsu can hold its ground—or if it will be dismissed as yet another passing trend.

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