At this year’s ADCC World Championship, we saw Gordon Ryan become the undisputed king of grappling and probably the greatest no-gi grappler of all time. Gordon managed to conquer the +99kg division and win the super-fight against Andre Galvao, becoming a 5-time ADCC champion in four different categories (88kg, 99kg, +99kg, absolute). Four of Gordon’s five matches were won by submission, with Victor Hugo being the only one to go the distance and lose on points (8-0). 

Gordon has a no-gi grappling record of 96 wins and 5 losses with an 82% submission rate, and he hasn’t lost a match since his point loss to Vinny Magalhaes in 2018. With a record like that and wins over the best athletes in jiu-jitsu, the question is: Who is next for Gordon Ryan and who can beat him?

Roger Gracie who many consider the GOAT of Jiu-Jitsu with his 12 BJJ black belt world championship golds and 2x ADCC championships, was recently asked in an interview if Gordon Ryan was the greatest grappler in history. This is what he said.

“Roger, do you think Gordon Ryan can be the biggest name in grappling history?”

“I think he can.”

“He’s already making history in nogi.”If I analyze well, who is there to stop him?”

“Who are the names of those who wanted to fight him? that you think have a good chance of beating him?”

“I think there are several athletes in Jiu-Jitsu who obviously have a chance of winning him in no gi I think it’s a fight, no one is invincible.”

“But if you stop to think about a name that has great chances of winning, would he be the favorite?”

“I don’t see it.”

“I think any fight he’s going to fight now, from my point of view, he’s going to be the favorite.
I don’t see anyone who would be the favorite in a fight against him.”

Gordon Ryan has in the past applauded Roger Gracie, emphasizing that the Gracie is the GOAT (greatest of all time):

With the Worlds [IBJJF World Championships] going on, we should all take a second to celebrate the GOAT – Roger Gracie.
He was one of the most dominant athletes ever in any sport and really embodied what Jiu-Jitsu is: control that leads to submission.

Watching him, you can clearly see he’s at least 2 decades ahead of everyone technically and tactically.

Gordon emphasized that Roger Gracie gave the tools for advancement to the BJJ community, but that no one has used them as dominantly as he had:

His level offensively and defensively was far ahead of anyone and everyone he competed against, and even far more advanced than the general level we are seeing at 2022 worlds.
He gave us the tools we needed to change the sport and push it forward; but unfortunately most were too blind to follow his lead, which is why no one was as dominant since him. A true legend.

Attack Top Position With Systematic Strategy and Technique From 10-Time World Champion and Grappling Legend Roger Gracie’s Master Class On Side Control Dominance.

• Learn the side control techniques that Roger Gracie used in competition, packed with details from one of the world’s most knowledgeable grapplers.
• Roger Gracie is one of the most respected and successful black belt competitors of all time, and dominated elite grapplers with precision technique.