Gordon Ryan has once again stirred controversy in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, this time taking aim at athletes who claim to compete naturally while questioning the authenticity of their “natty” status.
The multiple-time ADCC champion recently shared a viral clip on Instagram featuring morning routine star Ashton Hall, who emphatically declares his natural status to a very skeptical audience. In the video, Hall states:
“to say it again right am i on ster**ds my natural or am i taking and using ster**ids listen fully natural i barely take protein.”
Ryan’s caption was pointed and direct:
“BJJ athletes be like..”
— clearly mocking what he perceives as performative claims of natural competition from grapplers in the sport.
This latest social media jab comes as Ryan has become increasingly vocal about PED use in competitive jiu-jitsu. The grappling superstar has openly admitted to beginning PED use in 2016 when transitioning from the 77kg weight class, citing both the legal status of PEDs in jiu-jitsu at the time and his desire to avoid competing against Gary Tonon.
Ryan’s criticism extends beyond mere social media trolling. He has consistently argued that athletes who boast about competing naturally often use it as a convenient narrative device.
“Whenever someone wins who’s natural, it’s ‘oh well I won against this guy on steroids so I’m better,’ but then when they lose it’s the excuse of ‘well I lost to this guy because I was on steroids,'”
Ryan explained in recent discussions about PED use in the sport.
The controversial champion maintains that success should be measured purely by results, not by the methods used to achieve them within the sport’s legal framework.
“When people look back in 10 years, they’re not going to remember that argument that you made that you were on stero*ds and you were natural. They’re going to remember this guy won and this guy lost,”
Ryan stated.
Ryan’s position puts him at odds with several prominent figures in the BJJ community, including Nick Rodriguez and his brother Jay, who are outspoken opponents of PED use in the sport. Rodriguez notably proved his natural status through random testing, though the results also revealed significant cholesterol issues.
The timing of Ryan’s latest commentary is particularly significant given his broader critique of the sport’s inconsistent approach to performance enhancement. He has been vocal about the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s isolated stance on PED testing, arguing that partial bans across different organizations create more problems than they solve. Ryan has distanced himself from the UFC as well with UFC BJJ opting not to hire him as a coach due to health issues as well as declare their intention to start testing athletes in 2026. Albeit with a caveat, according to the UFC BJJ exec Claudia Gadelha the promotion will only test ‘title holders’ meaning it’s unlikely to be more than an IQ test, similar to the IBJJF model.
“The level of athletes at Worlds and NOGI Worlds since they started testing has drastically diminished,”
Ryan previously observed, noting that top competitors have either abandoned these events or faced suspensions due to the IBJJF’s testing protocols.
Ryan’s philosophy on the matter is stark and uncompromising. He has stated his willingness to prioritize legacy over longevity, declaring:
“I would rather die with a legacy at 50 years old than just be a normal guy dying at 70 or 80 years old.”
The grappling superstar emphasizes that his success preceded his PED use, noting his victories over ADCC champions and medalists while competing naturally. However, he makes no apologies for his decision to enhance his performance within what he views as the sport’s permissive framework.
By sharing the Ashton Hall clip, Ryan appears to be highlighting what he sees as the performative nature of natural claims in combat sports. His
“BJJ athletes be like”
caption suggests he views such declarations as disingenuous posturing rather than genuine commitments to clean competition.
