In a recent statement that has stirred interest throughout the Brazilian jiu-jitsu community, respected black belt Patrick Gaudio shared his conviction that No-Gi phenomenon Gordon Ryan could achieve championship status in the traditional Gi division if he committed himself to that pursuit.
“To be completely honest, I believe he could,” Gaudio stated. “I think if he dedicated himself to Gi training the same way he dedicated himself to No-Gi, he would definitely have positive results.”
Gaudio emphasized the critical role of Ryan’s coaching infrastructure, particularly highlighting the influence of renowned coach John Danaher. “John Danaher is also an excellent coach who’s behind him, understanding jiu-jitsu and teaching,” he explained.
Drawing a direct comparison between Ryan’s current achievements and his potential in the Gi division, Gaudio concluded, “He did what he did in No-Gi. So if he put on the Gi and dedicated himself, I believe he would certainly become a world champion in the Gi as well.”
Ryan, widely regarded as the most dominant No-Gi competitor of his generation, has yet to make a serious foray into elite-level Gi competitions. However, Gaudio’s assessment suggests that with proper dedication and the right training approach, Ryan’s success could extend into the traditional Gi format.
Ryan’s Health Struggles and Future Plans
This conversation emerges against the backdrop of Ryan’s ongoing health challenges. The grappling superstar recently revealed on Jake Shields’ podcast that he has battled serious stomach issues since 2018, stemming from repeated courses of antibiotics to treat staph infections. These health problems have significantly impacted his training regimen, with Ryan disclosing that during his 2024 ADCC camp, he was only able to complete approximately 18 quality training sessions in the final 10 days leading up to the event.
Despite these limitations, Ryan continues to dominate at the highest levels of No-Gi competition. He has indicated that his competitive future depends largely on resolving his health issues, stating, “If my stomach just got better I would compete until I was like 40.” Currently, Ryan is focused on recovery and establishing his new jiu-jitsu school in Austin, Texas.
The Future of Gi BJJ
Ryan has previously made bold claims about his potential impact on Gi jiu-jitsu. In a conversation with Joe Rogan, he suggested he might be “the only person who could save the traditional Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition scene,” arguing that the format has become too focused on point-scoring and tactical approaches that fail to captivate mainstream audiences.
“If I started competing in the Gi, that’s the only way people would actually watch it,” Ryan asserted. “They’d be like, ‘Oh s*it, this guy’s going to go out there and try to submit everyone.'”
Whether Ryan will eventually test himself in the Gi division remains to be seen, particularly as he continues to battle health issues. However, with respected competitors like Gaudio expressing confidence in his potential crossover success, speculation will likely continue about what impact the No-Gi king could have on the traditional format of the sport.
