In a candid interview on Ariel Helwani show , Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Gordon Ryan addressed the widespread use of PEDs in the sport, emphasizing that their use isn’t prohibited in most competitions.
“Ster*ids have been rampant in jiu-jitsu for decades and decades and decades. Like, the Brazilians have been doing ster*ids since the 1900s. So it’s not new to the sport,” Ryan stated. “And number two, it’s not illegal. If you want people to stop doing it, then make it illegal.”
Ryan was particularly emphatic about the definition of cheating in his conversation with Helwani:
“The definition of cheating is to break the rules. Like, greasing, for example, would be to break the rules. Poking someone in the eyes would be to break the rules. Using PEDs is not against the rules in any of the organizations that I compete in.”
When pressed about testing practices, Ryan acknowledged that the IBJJF conducts limited testing at their World Championships but pointed out significant limitations.
“The way it used to be, I believe, was that they tested every other podium winner… They may test all the winners now, but it’s only the winners, and it’s only on the day of the competition. So there’s no random testing.”
Ryan explained that this testing approach is easily circumvented:
“If you just cycle off, you can beat the test with just doing some math in your head and cycling off properly before you have to compete.”
Flashback to Gordon’s Openness About PED Use
This isn’t the first time Ryan has been transparent about performance enhancement. In previous statements, Ryan revealed he first began using PEDs in 2016 when looking to move up from the 77kg weight class. His decision was influenced by two factors: he believed PEDs were legal in jiu-jitsu at the time, and he wanted to move up in weight to avoid competing against his then-coach Gary Tonon.
Ryan previously emphasized that his success preceded his PED use, noting:
“I was submitting ADCC champions and medalists way before I was ever on ster*ids while I was natural while these guys were juiced up.”
IBJJF Was Testing When Ryan Competed
Despite Ryan‘s claim that PED use isn’t against the rules in organizations where he competes, the factual record shows otherwise. The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) has been testing for PEDs since 2014, working with the USADAÂ to implement testing at their major championships.
Ryan won the IBJJF NoGi Worlds in 2018, an event that fell under the federation’s policies. That same year, the IBJJF announced expanded testing to include NoGi Worlds podium finishers as well, directly contradicting Ryan’s suggestion that PED use wasn’t against the rules in his competitive organizations.
The USADA testing data by quarter reveals minimal but existent testing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In 2024, BJJ had 15 in-competition tests in Q1, 15 more in Q2, none in Q3, and 16 total tests (1 out-of-competition and 15 in-competition) in Q4. This contrasts sharply with more rigorously tested combat sports like Boxing, which saw 78 total tests in Q4 alone (11 out-of-competition and 67 in-competition).
Other BJJ Athletes Question Ryan’s GOAT Status Due to PED Use
Ryan‘s admitted PED use has drawn criticism from other prominent figures in the sport. In a recent interview, BJJ legend Marcelo 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 distinction that challenges Ryan’s legacy.
Garcia‘s criticism stems from a fundamental principle that has defined his own 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 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.”
Despite his critique, Garcia isn’t dismissing Ryan‘s technical brilliance, acknowledging his dedication to learning and technical prowess:
“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.”
Musumeci’s Push for UFC Involvement and Testing Implementation
While Ryan appears content with the current state of PED regulation in jiu-jitsu, other top competitors are pushing for change. Mikey Musumeci has been vocal about the need for stricter testing measures.
Musumeci sees the UFC‘s growing interest in grappling as a potential turning point for the sport. With rumors circulating about a UFC-backed reality show featuring both Musumeci and Ryan, the promotion’s established testing infrastructure could represent a significant shift in how performance enhancement is handled in professional jiu-jitsu.
Unlike many BJJ organizations, the UFC possesses both the financial resources and organizational structure to implement and enforce rigorous anti-doping protocols. This creates an opportunity for the UFC to differentiate its grappling products by offering “clean” competition as a unique selling proposition.
Industry insiders suggest that as the UFC deepens its involvement in professional grappling, athletes may soon face a choice: adapt to stricter testing standards or be excluded from potentially lucrative opportunities with the world’s premier combat sports organization.
