Gordon Ryan has publicly commented on the controversy surrounding allegations against Andre Galvao.

The ADCC champion made clear from the outset that he hasn’t been deeply immersed in the details:

I don’t know how many girls or what the whole situation is.

I’ve been just filming instructionals all night and teaching John’s classes all day…
I’m so over Jiu-Jitsu drama.

After hosts summarized the accusations – including claims that Galvao trained a student from a young age and allegedly made inappropriate comments over time – Ryan acknowledged the seriousness if the claims prove accurate:

Yeah, that’s definitely a huge problem. For sure. And if this is true, then I hope it comes out and it’s dealt with.

Ryan also suggested that cultural differences may partially explain behaviors seen in parts of the sport’s Brazilian roots, though he emphasized that it would not excuse misconduct in the United States:

I do feel like there is a culture within jiu-jitsu where, in Brazil, for example, I think the legal age is a lot lower.

For older men to date a lot younger women is just a culturally accepted thing…
But it’s just not how we do it in America.

He added:

Because the culture is dominated so heavily by Brazilian culture, it kind of became more normalized in our sport than it otherwise would have.

At the same time, Ryan drew a clear personal line:

I think it’s way worse if you’re teaching a girl from the age of eight and then you start… When she’s older.
That’s totally unacceptable, in my opinion.

Ryan also clarified that his own rivalry with Galvao ended after their ADCC match.

My whole personal beef with Andre ended after ADCC. I never really had a beef with Andre.
After ADCC we were totally cool. We even discussed doing camps together.

Regardless of the outcome, he believes the damage has already been severe:

Every time you wake up and look at your phone, another ADCC champion is leaving, or another affiliate is leaving.
This has completely destroyed his legacy.

Ryan concluded by hoping for clarity and accountability:

I hope the truth comes out either way. I hope the women get justice, or Andre proves himself innocent.

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