While widely known as one of the greatest submission grapplers of all time, Gordon Ryan isn’t shy about criticizing aspects of his own sport.
In a conversation on episode #129 of the Joe Rogan Experience MMA Show, Ryan opened up about the downsides of no time limit matches…
A format he’s often competed under himself.
Speaking with Rogan and former ADCC head organizer Mo Jassim, Ryan didn’t mince words when describing how difficult these matches can be for the average fan to sit through:
No time limit matches for spectators are just atrocious…
Because who the f*ck wants to watch 10 minutes of jiu-jitsu?
So who wants to watch, like, a two-hour match?
Despite the prestige of such formats, Ryan acknowledged the tension between authentic competition and viewer-friendly content:
They’re important to have, sometimes just to show who’s the best – because you actually have to do jiu-jitsu and know how to do submissions.
There’s no stalling and playing tactics for 10 minutes and winning by advantage or two points.
While he clearly values what the format offers in terms of pure competition, Ryan made it clear that its place in modern jiu-jitsu should be limited.
Especially if the sport hopes to expand its reach:
They have their place, but to build the sport to a spectator sport, no time limit’s not the way.
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