Gordon Ryan revealed that he attempted to set up a grappling match with UFC star Khamzat Chimaev ahead of ADCC 2024.
Speaking with Tim Kennedy on the Overdogs USA podcast, the seven-time ADCC champion explained that Chimaev was in consideration for the event’s second super fight:
I actually asked because we were going to do the second super fight for ADCC 2024.
And I asked Khamzat out if he wanted to do it.
According to Ryan, Chimaev turned the offer down due to a conflicting camp or a health issue, but expressed interest in training together instead:
He said: “I can’t do it this time, but I want you to come train.”
Ryan also offered his own breakdown of Chimaev’s grappling, praising his effectiveness from chest-to-back control, particularly against opponents attempting to stand from turtle or referee’s position.
He credited Chimaev’s ability to track movement, return opponents to the mat, and maintain pressure as what makes him so difficult to escape.
Still, Ryan pointed to one area for improvement – limiting an opponent’s ability to create space before they stand:
If Khamzat was better at negating movement, like he’s very good at following movement, but if he was better at negating movement, he would make guys carry body weight a lot more.
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