The ongoing debate about PEDs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has intensified, with Gordon Ryan responding to Kron Gracie’s criticism by alleging historical PED use within the Gracie family themselves.
The exchange began when Kron Gracie posted a sharp critique of Ryan’s stance on PEDs in BJJ, comparing the situation to Lance Armstrong’s cycling scandal. In response, Ryan claimed the Gracie family has a history with PEDs in both BJJ and MMA “for like the last 5+ decades.”
The allegations against the Gracie family appear to reference past incidents, including a 2007 case where a member of the family tested positive for nandrolone, an anabolic ster*d, during his MMA career. This occurred under the California State Athletic Commission’s oversight.
This latest controversy stems from Ryan’s recent public admissions about his own PED use, which he claims began in 2016. Ryan has maintained that such actions are permitted in most BJJ competitions, though notably not in IBJJF events, where he previously competed and won titles at both No-Gi Pans and Worlds.
This heated exchange highlights the broader controversy surrounding PED use in combat sports, particularly in BJJ where testing protocols vary significantly between organizations. With the UFC’s planned entry into the sport, questions about standardizing testing have become increasingly prominent in the community.
The conflict between Ryan and the Gracies represents not just a personal dispute, but a larger conversation about the sport’s direction and values.
