Gordon Ryan recently caused a stir with his viral announcement. According to the BJJ star, he will only compete once in 2024, reserving that opportunity for the ADCC.
“I’m taking some time. I initially planned to make two posts, but I shared the stomach update in slides 2 and 3👉. I returned for ADCC 2022, overcoming stomach issues. However, post-ADCC, I got overconfident, deviating from my initial plan and resuming competition. The fourth Pena camp pushed my body to its limits. In the last two weeks, my body shut down, and despite my best camp ever, I couldn’t compete. ”
“Due to stomach issues, my suppressed immune system took 45 days (on antibiotics) to clear a simple strep throat infection, which then colonized in my tonsils (also having strep and staph in my intestines), necessitating their removal. It took me six months to recover from that camp 😂. The recent weeks were challenging. I was bedridden for weeks, stomach full with bile, spending 3-4 hours daily belching and dry heaving in the bathroom. While enduring this, I’ve accepted that my body can’t handle the pressure until my stomach and immune system are 100% better. I’m stepping away from all competitions except ADCC until my stomach is 100% healthy on paper, confirmed by tests and how I feel.”
“Competing with a partially recovered body is only borrowing time until it shuts down again. I’m taking whatever time I need to get 100% healthy. Though it’s difficult, I believe it’s better for long-term well-being, daily life, and competition success. I’ll compete only at ADCC until my health is fully restored. If it’s not, I can find peace knowing no one will achieve what I have. Love you all.”
It’s worth noting that Gordon Ryan is slated to meet Yuri Simoes in a winner vs winner clash. Simoes just underwent a shoulder surgery that would take at least 6 months to recover from.
Ryan provided further details:
“Stomach update reminder: This is just an UPDATE. People follow me for my athletic career and want to know when I’m competing. I’m not seeking praise. It’s merely a health update. Since 2018, I’ve grappled with stomach issues originating from repeated antibiotic courses to treat staph infections, which devastated my stomach.
“Feeling about 85% better, even with skewed test results, the fourth Pena camp was my most challenging, leading to my body shutting down two weeks before. Due to my suppressed immune system, it took 45 days (on antibiotics) to cure a simple strep throat. Recent months showed a relapse in test results and symptoms. In mid-December, I became more nauseous with reduced appetite. Symptoms worsened, but with protocol adjustments, including diatomaceous earth and itraconazole. Despite weaning off fluconazole, it didn’t work, and I got ringworm, indicating nystatin (another oral antifungal) might not be potent enough.”
“Diatomaceous earth disrupts biofilm, enhancing the new antifungal’s efficacy. Various supplements were added via shots and powders due to nutrient deficiencies from impaired absorption. All receptors are closed due to stomach issues.”
On the same day, Ryan did an interview with UFC’s channel, providing more details.
Ryan explained that whenever he intensifies training for a competition camp, his health problems flare up.
For the past few years, Ryan has battled stomach and immune system problems, attributing them to a gut fungal infection. Although he feels good during regular training, hardcore competition preparation triggers a recurrence of issues.
“The moment my stomach deteriorates, handling stress becomes challenging when you’re constantly nauseous. Any additional stress intensifies the nausea,” Ryan said.
After his match against Felipe Pena last year, Ryan felt great initially but fell sick for two weeks, followed by six weeks of strep throat, leading to tonsil removal. Recovery from that single competition camp took six months.
Recently, after a camp for his match against Patrick Gaudio at FPI 3, Ryan experienced nausea and other symptoms returning in December. Instead of persisting, Ryan plans to focus on complete recovery before engaging in more competition camps. He acknowledges that the cycle of semi-recovery, competition, and subsequent illness is unsustainable.
“Trying to reach a point of 100% health for sustained competition is my primary goal. While it’s disappointing to compete less, I’m committed to promoting jiu-jitsu through commentary and seminars as I rebuild my health. Returning to 100% is my priority so that I can resume competing at the highest level soon.”
