Brazilian jiu-jitsu legend Marcelo Garcia has delivered a nuanced yet pointed critique of Gordon Ryan’s claim to the title of Greatest of All Time (GOAT), focusing on the grappler’s admitted PED use.
In a recent interview with MMAFighting, Garcia acknowledged Ryan’s current technical dominance while simultaneously casting significant doubt on the legitimacy of his achievements. “He’s at the top right now, but it’s hard to say he’s the greatest of all-time,” Garcia stated, emphasizing a crucial distinction that challenges Ryan’s legacy.
Garcia’s criticism stems from a fundamental principle that has defined his own illustrious career: competing entirely ster*id-free. “I can say all I’ve done was ster*id-free. I don’t know that’s the case with Gordon,” he said.
The Brazilian champion, known for his remarkable success across multiple weight classes despite being relatively smaller, sees PED use as a fundamental betrayal of the sport’s integrity.
“When people say, ‘Oh, but everybody uses it.’ Not to me. That excuse doesn’t make sense,” Garcia firmly declared.
Ryan’s recent candid admission about using PEDs since 2016 has only intensified the debate. The grappling star revealed he began using performance enhancers when looking to move up weight classes, claiming they were legal at the time and that he was already submitting top competitors while competing naturally.
However, Garcia remains unconvinced. “To me, that’s a decisive point, if someone needed extra help or not,” he explained. “Like people say, ‘that person didn’t come alone’ [to compete]. I was alone every single time, only with my training and my technique.”
The criticism extends beyond personal achievement. Garcia sees PED use as a broader threat to the sport’s future, expressing hope that younger generations will recognize the value of competing clean. “I wish the young ones — my children, if one day they decide to compete and be successful, I don’t want them to depend on that,” he passionately stated.
Despite his critique, Garcia isn’t dismissing Ryan’s technical brilliance. He acknowledges Ryan’s dedication to learning and technical prowess, noting, “He’s a guy who has put a lot of effort to learn his jiu-jitsu. He must have spent a lot of time training on the tatami.”
Yet, the PED question remains paramount. “I know he’s the best today, but then I imagine…I don’t know how much it depends on his strength and size,” Garcia pondered, highlighting the fundamental uncertainty that PED use introduces.
“If he continues to compete and no one beats him, and continues to have the performances he’s putting on, you can’t say [he’s not the GOAT],” Garcia conceded. “And he’s young, too, of course he can be that guy. But I can say all I’ve done was ster*id-free.”
Gordon Ryan Claims He Started in 2016
Gordon Ryan revealed he first began using PEDs in 2016 when he was looking to move up from the 77kg weight class.
Ryan explained that his initial decision was influenced by two key factors: PEDs were legal in Jiu-Jitsu at the time (IBJJF did USADA testing as far back as 2014) , and he wanted to move up in weight to avoid competing against his then-coach Gary Tonon. At the time, Ryan was walking around at 185-190 pounds but needed to reach the 88kg (194 pounds) category.
The grappling star emphasized that his success preceded his PED use, noting that he had already submitted ADCC champions and medalists while competing naturally. “I was submitting ADCC champions and medalists way before I was ever on ste*oids while I was natural while these guys were juiced up,” Ryan stated in his own video.
Ryan trained with Garry Tonon and John Danaher, another mentor of Tonon, at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York.
Ryan got his purple belt in 2014.
Ryan’s success in submission-only jiu-jitsu was first noticed through his association with John Danaher’s methodology.
Ryan’s break out performance was his EBI absolutes win. Relatively unknown, Ryan made it to the finals where he defeated ADCC medalist Yuri Simoes.
Gordon Ryan received his black belt in February 2016 from Garry Tonon, with the presence of Tom deBlass, Ricardo Almeida, and John Danaher.
