Kenny Florian Calls Gordon Ryan the Grappling GOAT

Gordon Ryan, despite being a polarizing figure due to his brash attitude, is widely regarded as one of the greatest submission grapplers in history, with UFC veteran Kenny Florian affirming his unparalleled skills and resilience, especially as he prepares for challenging matches at the ADCC World Championships amidst ongoing health issues.


Gordon Ryan may rub some people the wrong way, but it’s impossible to deny the credentials he’s established as one of the best grapplers in history.

That’s according to UFC veteran and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Kenny Florian. He’s preparing to call Ryan’s pair of superfights at the ADCC World Championships on Saturday and Sunday from Las Vegas.

In rare back-to-back matches over two days, Ryan faces longtime rival Felipe Pena and then takes on 2022 ADCC champion Yuri Simoes. Quite a lineup, huh?

Ryan’s willingness to take on such daunting challenges after missing significant time due to a debilitating stomach disorder speaks volumes. He’s attempting to put together a résumé as the greatest of all-time.

“Gordon Ryan at his best, when he’s healthy, he’s the Michael Jordan of submission wrestling, whether you like it or not,” Florian told MMA Fighting. “He’s just that good.”

He was a phenom when he was younger. His commitment is unparalleled.

Florian continued, “He has just so much to his game. There are so many ways that he can win.”

Everything from his defense to his offense — he’s as perfect of a grappler as you’re going to get. High praise, indeed.

“He knows how to compete when the lights are brightest,” Florian added. Everyone wants to see him either win or lose.

When you’re that good in this sport and talk a little trash like Gordon Ryan, people are going to want to see you compete. Two big challenges ahead of him.

With his health issues, it makes it an interesting wrinkle, for sure. While Ryan’s activity has slowed down considerably due to these health issues, the now 29-year-old submission specialist still maintains a remarkable list of wins.

His last noted loss came all the way back in 2018 against Vinny Magalhaes. Since then? He’s rattled off a ridiculous amount of wins in succession.

Champion after champion has fallen before him, earning him the nickname “The King.” There’s no metric that can truly define anybody across sports as the greatest.

But Florian believes Ryan has done more than enough to cement himself in that position when it comes to submission grappling. “There’s no question about it,” Florian said of Ryan’s stake as the best ever.

“I think the proof is in the pudding based on what he’s accomplished at this stage of the game.” You have to have him as the GOAT.

To me, there are three grapplers that really stand out: Marcelo Garcia, Roger Gracie, and Gordon Ryan. All ADCC world champions.

“The sport evolves,” Florian noted. “You learn from those that came before you.”

“We stand on the shoulders of giants,” he continued. Gordon Ryan and his coach John Danaher know how to apply successful techniques and strategies.

They’ve improved upon them a lot. We have Gordon Ryan because of it.

Off the mats, Ryan has become one of the most polarizing figures in the sport thanks to his willingness to speak his mind and talk trash. This isn’t typically the case in the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community.

Ryan’s brash attitude earned him plenty of attention but also a few enemies. Some don’t particularly love how he handles himself.

In a way, Florian feels like that only adds to Ryan’s mystique. It creates an audience with fans backing his every move and others constantly rooting for his downfall.

Florian expects those emotions to bubble up this week with the ADCC World Championships kicking off. Even more with Ryan preparing to grapple his old rival Pena.

Pena actually holds two wins over Ryan in the past. Add in Ryan’s health woes in recent years…

Florian knows the drama surrounding his return will reach a fever pitch by his first match on Saturday. “Gordon Ryan isn’t 100 percent or hasn’t been,” Florian said.

“On certain days, he feels great. On certain days, he doesn’t.”

“So I’m certainly curious to see what kind of Gordon Ryan we see.” This potentially opens the door for someone to come in here and get an upset.

“And just based on their history,” Florian concluded, “the fact that [Ryan and Pena] really do not like each other makes it exciting.”

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