In a recent interview ahead of CJI 2 B-Team head coach Nicky Ryan offered heartfelt praise for hisbrother Gordon Ryan acknowledging the significant impact the grappling superstar has had on jiu-jitsu. Despite their well-documented split and ongoing tensions between Gordon and Craig Jones Nicky demonstrated remarkable maturity in recognizing Gordon’s contributions to the sport they both love.
When asked about the possibility of Gordon Ryan making a surprise appearance at CJI 2 Nicky was realistic about the prospects.
“I definitely don’t think he would ever just cuz Craig’s name’s attached to it,”
he admitted referencing the ongoing friction between the two camps. However this practical assessment didn’t prevent him from expressing genuine appreciation for what Gordon has accomplished.
“He’s a great asset to the sport. He brought so many eyes to the sport,”
Nicky stated highlighting Gordon’s role in elevating jiu-jitsu’s profile. This acknowledgment speaks volumes about Nicky’s character and his ability to separate personal relationships from professional respect. Despite the complicated dynamics between the B-Team and Gordon Ryan Nicky recognized that Gordon’s presence would have been beneficial for the event’s mission.
“This whole event is to try and help build the sport and he would have been a great addition for sure,”
Nicky continued demonstrating his understanding that the bigger picture of growing jiu-jitsu supersedes individual grievances. His comments reflect a mature perspective on the sport’s development and the importance of star power in attracting new audiences.
The interview revealed that while there isn’t “much bad blood” between the camps personally the professional separation remains firmly in place. Nicky’s approach to discussing Gordon was notably diplomatic avoiding inflammatory comments while still being honest about the realities of their situation.
Interestingly Nicky even speculated about future possibilities suggesting that Gordon might create his own invitational event potentially doubling prize money in characteristic fashion.
“Knowing Gordon, that’s for sure something that might be the route we go,”
he mused showing he still understands his former teammate’s competitive nature and business acumen.
