The Ruotolo brothers have taken a strong stance against use in combat sports. In a recent social media post, the accomplished athletes outlined their reasoning for competing clean in an era where PED use remains a controversial topic in professional grappling.
At the top of their list, the brothers emphasized the fundamental health concerns associated with PED use. This medical consideration forms the foundation of their position, highlighting their prioritization of long-term wellbeing over short-term performance gains.
The brothers also pointed to the professional implications, noting that PED use is prohibited in professional sports. This is funny to see in writing considering Gordon Ryan‘s recent persistent attempt to claim PEDs are ‘legal’ in BJJ due to the fact most competition don’t explicitly forbid them nor do they have the budget to test for it.
This comes at a time when Marcelo Garcia has expressed skepticism about Gordon Ryan‘s claim to the title of Greatest of All Time (GOAT) due to Ryan’s admitted use. While Garcia acknowledges Ryan’s technical skill and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu, he questions how much of Ryan’s success may be attributed to PEDs, given the impact of strength and size.
Ryan, who started using PEDs in 2016 to move up weight classes, defends his achievements by noting his success before using PEDs. He also critiques athletes who compete naturally, arguing that their moral stance often serves their self-interest. Ryan contends that the results will ultimately overshadow debates about PED use in the long run.
Perhaps most notably, the Ruotolo brothers stressed their role as influencers in the sport, expressing their responsibility to set positive examples for young athletes entering the sport. This perspective demonstrates their awareness of their impact on the next generation of competitors.
The brothers are not alone. Rodriguez brothers and Mikey Musumeci expressed similar opinions on the topic.
The brothers also addressed peer pressure within the sport, asserting that widespread use among others doesn’t justify personal compromise. They emphasized the importance of maintaining integrity in athletics, suggesting that true achievement comes from natural development and dedication to the craft.
Their position adds a significant voice to the ongoing discussion about PED use in grappling sports, where the topic remains contentious. While some athletes have openly admitted to PED use and defended it as a practical choice for elite performance, the Ruotolo brothers represent a contrasting perspective that prioritizes natural competition and long-term athletic development.
Their stance is particularly noteworthy given their success in high-level competition, demonstrating that elite performance is achievable without PED use. Through their public position, they’re actively working to challenge the narrative that PED use is necessary for top-tier competitive success in grappling sports.
