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FloGrappling Releases Statement About Ryan vs. Pena Stoppage Controversy

FloGrappling Releases Statement About Ryan vs. Pena Stoppage Controversy

One of the most anticipated BJJ matches took place last Sunday, August 7, between Gordon Ryan and Felipe Pena. It was a no-time limit bout, a part of the Who’s Number One (WNO) main event.
However, the match ended in an abrupt way. Pena verbally tapped after around 45 minutes; claiming that he’d done so because he wasn’t mentally stable enough after the death of Leandro Lo:

Today, one of the best people and one of my biggest friends, died. And I went to FloGrappling and said that I don’t want to fight anymore. And they said: “I know how it is, I see how you are. That you are not mentally prepared for this fight.”
And the guy [Gordon] just said: “No, whatever. This fight is going to happen. I really don’t care.”

Pena followed up with another statement, claiming that he told the organizers he didn’t want to compete:

 

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A post shared by Felipe Preguiça (@felipepenabjj)

Now, FloGrappling – the organizers of the event themselves – made a statement about what happened before the match:

Felipe Pena requested a 30 minute time limit match. Gordon Ryan said he would rather stick to the agreed upon terms and rules OR reschedule to a later date to keep the match no time limit. Gordon was never offered to do the match first on the card.

We offered Felipe a pay increase to keep the match on the original date and original terms, plus a guaranteed rematch, and he accepted. At no point did Flo or Gordon “force” anyone to do anything.
Felipe requested a rule change and Gordon said he wanted the agreed upon rules or to reschedule the match. Felipe agreed to the original terms after Flo offered him a significant pay increase.

 

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A post shared by FloGrappling (@flograppling)