Gordon Ryan is, without a doubt, the most dominant no-gi grappler of his era. His systematic approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, suffocating top control, and relentless pressure have made him nearly unbeatable in competition. But no athlete is invincible. If someone were to dethrone the king, how could they do it?
This post explores a theoretical strategy for defeating Gordon Ryan, breaking down key elements that could expose vulnerabilities in his game.
1. Win the Hand-Fighting Battle
Ryan’s game is built on control—specifically, the ability to dominate the hand-fighting phase. He uses inside control, wrist grips, and a disciplined pace to dictate exchanges. To beat him, an opponent must disrupt this control early, deny him dominant grips, and create movement to prevent him from settling into his game.
Solution:
•Prioritize inside control and break grips aggressively.
•Constantly hand fight, staying just outside his preferred engagement range.
•Use feints and misdirection to force reactions rather than letting him dictate the pace.
2. Force a High-Paced, Scrambly Game
Ryan thrives in controlled positions where he can methodically break his opponent down. His weakness—if there is one—could lie in forcing him into a chaotic, scramble-heavy match where control is harder to maintain.
Solution:
•Create unpredictable movement, forcing him to transition more than he prefers.
•Attack in layered sequences rather than single-shot takedowns or submissions.
•Use rolling escapes and explosive transitions to avoid prolonged control periods.
3. Shut Down His Leg Lock Entries
Ryan’s leg lock game is one of the most dangerous in the sport. His ability to enter leg entanglements and finish with heel hooks has neutralized even elite competitors. The key is to prevent him from getting into his preferred Ashi Garami positions.
Solution:
•Keep a low, staggered stance to prevent easy entries.
•Focus on clearing entanglements immediately rather than defending once inside.
•Counter-attack with back takes or passing sequences when he commits to leg locks.
4. Exploit Conditioning (If Possible)
While Ryan has excellent cardio, no one is immune to fatigue. His methodical approach means that forcing him into an unusually high-paced match might tax his endurance.
Solution:
•Push the pace early with chain wrestling, scrambles, and aggressive guard retention.
•Use movement-heavy passing instead of pressure-based approaches.
•Maintain a rhythm of constant attacks rather than waiting for openings.
5. Attack from the Feet—Relentless Takedown Pressure
Most of Ryan’s matches start with him pulling guard or wrestling up from seated positions. Many opponents play into this, engaging on the ground too early. Instead, keeping the match standing and applying relentless takedown pressure could limit his control.
Solution:
•Keep him standing as long as possible to wear him down.
•Use anti-guard passing strategies like float passing and back-step passing.
•Force him to work for takedowns rather than allowing easy guard play.
Conclusion: A Difficult But Possible Task
Beating Gordon Ryan is one of the hardest tasks in modern grappling, but it isn’t impossible. The right combination of aggressive pacing, grip denial, and scrambling could create a path to victory. While no one has found the perfect formula yet, future challengers will need to blend these elements to have a shot at dethroning the king.
Who do you think has the best chance of beating Gordon Ryan? Let’s discuss.
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