Gordon Ryan — BJJ ADCC Champion & The King of Grappling
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Gordon Ryan is the greatest no-gi grappler of all time: 3× ADCC Absolute champion, undefeated at the top level, trained by John Danaher.
- ADCC Absolute Champion 2017, 2019, 2022
- ADCC +99kg Champion 2017, 2019
- EBI Champion × 2
- WNO Champion × 4
Biography
Born in 1995 in New Jersey, Gordon Ryan began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a teenager under Garry Tonon, who introduced him to John Danaher's training group at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York. Within a few years, Ryan was competing at the highest levels of no-gi submission wrestling. His breakthrough moment came at the 2015 EBI (Eddie Bravo Invitational), where he submitted elite opponents and announced himself as a future world-beater.
At just 21 years old, Ryan entered the 2017 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships and did the unthinkable: he won both the +99kg weight class and the Absolute division, defeating giants of the sport including Vinny Magalhaes and Felipe Pena. He became the youngest person ever to win ADCC Absolute. Two years later, at ADCC 2019 in Anaheim, he repeated the feat in dominant fashion, again winning both divisions. In 2022, he completed the trilogy with a third consecutive Absolute title.
Ryan's training under John Danaher shaped his game into a systematic whole. Rather than collecting techniques, he built interconnected systems: the back-attack system, the leg-entanglement system, and a guard-passing game designed to funnel opponents into predictable positions. His ability to control distance, manage grips, and exploit positional hierarchy has made him nearly impossible to submit.
Outside competition, Ryan has been an influential online educator, releasing instructional series through BJJ Fanatics and openly discussing his training methodologies. His 'Systems' approach to BJJ has influenced a generation of grapplers who now train in the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu framework under Danaher.
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Fighting Style
Gordon Ryan's game is built on positional control rather than scrambles. He prefers to win the wrestling exchanges to gain top position, pass the guard methodically, and then attack the back or set up leg entanglements from top. His passing game features double-underhook pressure passes that flatten opponents and remove their guard before they can threaten. Once in dominant position, he attacks the back with extraordinary precision — his rear-naked choke finish rate from Back Mount is among the highest in elite competition.
What separates Ryan from other elite grapplers is the depth of his defensive game. He rarely panics, rarely gives up position, and turns potential danger into counter-attack opportunities. He trained extensively in leg locks with Danaher, developing inside heel hooks, outside heel hooks, and toe holds as systematic attacks rather than desperate submissions.
Signature Technique
Ryan's signature technique is the inside heel hook from the leg entanglement position. He enters leg entanglements from failed Guard Passes or guard pull situations, secures the heel with both arms (the 'saddle' position), and applies rotational pressure to the knee. His entry is so clean that opponents often do not realize they are in danger until the submission is tight.
Why Study This Athlete
Studying Gordon Ryan teaches practitioners how to think about grappling systematically. His game demonstrates that every position connects to another: pass → Back Take → choke, or pass → leg entanglement → heel hook. Students who study Ryan learn to see grappling as a series of linked positions rather than isolated techniques. His publicly available instructionals and YouTube content are among the most educational resources in no-gi BJJ, particularly for advanced practitioners working on back control and leg locks.
Career Highlights
- 2017 ADCC: Won both +99kg and Absolute divisions at age 21 — youngest ever ADCC Absolute champion. Submitted Vinny Magalhaes and Felipe Pena along the way.
- 2019 ADCC: Repeated the double gold performance in Anaheim, defeating Andre Galvao in the Absolute final to cement his status as the best grappler in the world.
- 2022 ADCC: Third consecutive Absolute title in Las Vegas, defeating Felipe Pena in both the weight and Absolute finals in a historic performance.
- WNO vs Andre Galvao (2021): Submitted the legendary Andre Galvao in under 2 minutes with a rear-naked choke at Who's Number One — one of the most watched matches in grappling history.
- Undefeated run: Over a multi-year period, Ryan compiled an unbeaten record against top competition, turning down opponents he deemed unworthy and accepting only the hardest challenges.
Training Tips
- Learn to pass the guard first: Ryan emphasizes that leg lock attacks are most reliable from top position. Work on pressure passing (double underhooks, knee cut) before diving into leg entanglements.
- Study back mount systematically: Ryan's back control relies on maintaining both hooks, managing the opponent's hips, and being patient. Practice the 'body triangle' alternative to hooks for top-level control.
- Develop a heel hook 'saddle' entry: Start from the outside, secure the figure-four on the leg, then rotate to inside heel hook. Drill the entry 100× before applying in sparring.
- Watch his instructionals with a notebook: Ryan explains his reasoning extensively. Take notes on 'why' each move connects to the next — this conceptual framework is more valuable than individual techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many times has Gordon Ryan won ADCC?
Gordon Ryan has won ADCC five times in total: the +99kg weight division in 2017 and 2019, and the Absolute division in 2017, 2019, and 2022 — making him the only three-time ADCC Absolute champion in history.
What style of BJJ does Gordon Ryan use?
Ryan uses a no-gi, systems-based grappling style developed under John Danaher. His game centers on wrestling to top position, pressure passing, back control, and leg entanglements (particularly inside Heel Hooks). He rarely relies on guard pulling at elite competition level.
Who trained Gordon Ryan?
Ryan's primary coach is John Danaher, the New Zealand-born instructor known for developing the Danaher Death Squad and later New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. Early mentorship also came from Garry Tonon, who brought Ryan into the Renzo Gracie Academy training group.
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In-Depth: Gordon Ryan
Biomechanics & Physics
Gordon Ryan's approach to grappling is deeply rooted in a sophisticated understanding of biomechanics and physics, particularly concerning leverage and force distribution. When attacking from top positions, such as side control or mount, Ryan consistently emphasizes establishing a tight, suffocating base. This is achieved by aligning his body's center of mass directly over his opponent's, effectively reducing their ability to generate upward or lateral movement. He utilizes hip pressure, not just brute strength, to control the pelvis and scapula, limiting their mobility and preventing hip escapes or shrimping. For instance, in his signature leg lock sequences, he manipulates joint angles to maximize torque. By securing his opponent's femur in a controlled manner, he applies rotational force to the knee or ankle joint. This force is amplified by using his own body weight as a counter-lever, often using his shoulder or chest to pin the opponent's hips and prevent them from bridging out of the submission attempt. The strategic placement of his limbs creates wedges and anchors, preventing the opponent from creating space to defend effectively, demonstrating a practical application of Newtonian mechanics in grappling.
Common Mistakes (Specific to This Technique)
- Insufficient Hip Pressure in Side Control: Allowing the opponent to "hip escape" by failing to drive your hip into their torso and control their pelvis, creating space for them to regain guard.
- Over-Reliance on Grip Strength for Submissions: Grabbing limbs without proper body mechanics or leverage, leading to early fatigue and making submissions easier to escape if the opponent posts or creates a frame.
- Premature Commitment to Transitions: Attempting to move to a new position or submission before solidifying control, leaving openings for the opponent to counter or scramble to a better position.
Variations & Counters
Ryan's game is not static; it's a fluid ecosystem of interconnected techniques and transitions, often initiated from seemingly dominant positions that his opponents are too afraid to abandon. His mastery of leg locks, particularly the heel hook, often serves as a powerful threat that forces opponents to commit to defensive postures, opening doors for other attacks. For example, a failed or defended heel hook attempt from 50/50 guard can seamlessly transition into an armbar or an inverted triangle choke if the opponent exposes their neck while trying to escape the leg entanglement. Conversely, his top control game is designed to shut down leg lock entries. From side control, he uses heavy hip pressure and cross-face grips to stifle attempts to sit up or reach for legs. If an opponent attempts a leg pummel or a sweep, Ryan's strong base allows him to quickly transition to a more dominant position, like mount or back control, or to immediately initiate his own leg lock attack from a superior angle. His understanding of how one position's threat creates an opening for another attack is a hallmark of his systematic approach.
Drilling Recommendations
To emulate Ryan's tactical advantage, drills should focus on positional control leading into submissions. For top control, practice "heavy hips" drills: Spend 2-3 minutes in side control or mount, focusing solely on maintaining pressure and preventing the opponent from making space. The partner in bottom tries to escape using only hip movement and framing. For leg lock entries, drill sequences where the offensive partner attempts to secure a leg lock from a specific entry (e.g., Ashi Garami from open guard) for 30-second intervals, with the defensive partner actively resisting by posting, bridging, and trying to recompose guard. The drill should emphasize the transition to a secondary submission or position if the primary leg lock is defended, focusing on maintaining control throughout the transition. This should be done with light to moderate resistance from the defensive partner.