Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fans recently uncovered an unexpected moment buried inside one of Gordon Ryan’s premium instructionals, sparking widespread discussion across social media. The grappling superstar suddenly paused during his $250 video to deliver what he called “an important announcement” about his stomach and diet.
“My stomach finally feels good so I’m gonna eat a bunch of McDonalds,”
Ryan told viewers, explaining it was the only restaurant open at the time of filming.
The clip, believed to be roughly two years old when Ryan was battling digestive issues, showed a side of him that caught many off guard. He worried aloud about looking bloated on camera and whether students would judge his physical condition. For someone usually brimming with confidence, the candid moment stood out.
Reactions split the community. Some found it humanizing, with one fan commenting, “Most human he’s ever seemed.” Others questioned why such a tangent appeared in expensive instructional content.
Critics pointed out the irony of a world-class athlete failing to prepare meals for a lengthy filming session, while defenders argued that hindsight criticism was unfair given his ongoing health struggles. Ryan’s stomach problems have long been public knowledge, often impacting his training and daily life.
It’s widely believed that Gordon Ryan retired following a lengthy battle with stomach issues. Ahead of ADCC 2024, he attempted a comeback but looked slow, gassed, and sluggish in his lone outing at WNO leading up to the tournament. At ADCC, Ryan managed to edge out victories while tearing a knee ligament in the process. He now looks nothing like his former self, and many believe he’s retired for good.
