A young Gordon Ryan, then a purple belt, showcased his exceptional skills in a gi match against Jordan Tabor, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt. This encounter, which took place in 2015, offered a glimpse into Ryan’s versatility and foreshadowed his future dominance in the sport.
While Ryan is primarily known for his accomplishments in no-gi competitions, including multiple ADCC titles, this match demonstrated his proficiency in gi-based techniques as well. Despite the difference in rank, Ryan exhibited remarkable control and understanding of the nuances specific to gi grappling.
He navigated the additional grips and friction inherent in gi matches with ease, showcasing fluid guard work and smooth transitions. Ryan’s performance was particularly noteworthy given the experience gap between himself and his opponent.
Interestingly, some controversy surrounded Tabor’s rank at the time, with questions raised about the legitimacy of his black belt status. However, this did not detract from Ryan’s impressive showing on the mat.
One notable aspect of the match was Tabor’s unconventional approach to pulling guard. He appeared to simply sit with grips on Ryan, a tactic that puzzled some observers. However, this strategy may have been a result of a previous injury or another unspecified issue.
Gordon Ryan Shares update on Health: “If my stomach just got better I would compete until I was like 40”
Grappling superstar Gordon Ryan recently discussed his ongoing health struggles and their significant impact on his training and competition during a podcast with Jake Shields. Since 2018, Ryan has battled severe stomach issues caused by repeated antibiotic treatments for recurring staph infections.
These antibiotics wiped out his gut bacteria and weakened his immune system, leading to a cycle of infections and further antibiotic use. At one point, Ryan estimated he was on antibiotics for 200 days in 2018 alone, with even minor mat exposure triggering infections. After years of limited progress with conventional treatments, he found some relief with a holistic doctor, though setbacks like antibiotic-resistant strep throat continue to challenge his recovery.
Despite these health issues, Ryan has maintained his dominance in grappling, completing only 18 quality training sessions for his 2024 ADCC camp. His future in competition now hinges on restoring his stomach health, though he remains hopeful about healing and focusing on his new jiu-jitsu school in Austin, Texas.
