Gordon Ryan announced plans to release a video breaking down the octopus guard, shortly after Craig Jones’ latest teaching product sold more than 2,000 copies within 48 hours.
“Gonna make a YouTube video on how to easily shut down an overback grip from bottom side control, or ‘octopus guard.’ Seeing as crooked Creg hit this move 0/9487 times on me in training or competition and also can’t coach any of his athletes to hit it in competition, I think I’m qualified. It’ll be free on my YouTube soon :)”
The timing comes amid heightened tensions. Jones recently uploaded bodycam footage showing the arrest of Nathalia Amato Santoro, Ryan’s wife, following traffic incidents in Austin, Texas. The video has gained traction, appearing as the top result when searching Ryan’s name.
Travis County court records detail two separate October incidents. On October 16, Austin Police Officer Katigbak attempted to stop a green Porsche SUV with no license plates. The vehicle failed to yield, leading to a roughly 15-mile pursuit at speeds over 120 mph before officers used low-speed interventions to stop it.
The bodycam captured Santoro appearing uncooperative during field evaluations. When Officer Katigbak asked about recreational dr*g use, she replied,
“What’s wrong with you?”
He explained his procedure, saying,
“We saw you swerving around a little bit. We’re just worried about you.”
She responded,
“I have a nice car and I drive fast.”
During processing, she refused breath sample requests and became agitated during blood draw procedures, telling the technician,
“You have three seconds until I, like, literally go to punch you in the face.”
A second incident occurred on October 22 when Santoro crashed on FM 1826. She admitted traveling approximately 90 mph in a 55 mph zone, saying,
“The roads were empty.”
She struck a utility pole, snapping it, and came to rest roughly 30 feet away. This resulted in a Reckless Driving charge.
Bond was set at $3,000 for each case. Court records show Santoro posted bond on October 17, with conditions barring her from driving without a license or insurance. Pretrial appearances were scheduled for December 15, but she reportedly sent her lawyer and traveled to Thailand.
Meanwhile, Jones’ Octopus 2.0 instructional achieved commercial success. Priced at $189, he reported selling 800 copies within 22 hours and more than 2,000 by 48 hours. Due to the many discount codes floating around, it’s unclear just how much Jones earned from the latest hit.
Jones explained his philosophy on technical evolution:
“Jiu-jitsu is an arms race. Our weapons are gay, often autistic, but unmistakably gay. You have to be brave enough to explore that side of you. If you don’t, you will be left behind.”
Reflecting on his own development, he said,
“When I was younger, every time I saw a new technique, I thought, ‘That’s it. That’s the move. If I learn this one thing, I’ll absolutely destroy everyone in my gym.'”
He credited heel hooks for advancing his competition career:
“Without that technique, in no world would I ever beat that legend, Leandro Lo. Fear innovates faster than curiosity ever will.”
Jones criticized conventional static approaches:
“Bottom players cope. Top players win rounds. Top players conserve energy. The beauty of jiu-jitsu is not control. In my opinion, it’s transition. We are not here to carry body weight while our opponent rests. We tilt the plane. We force reaction. We create movement.”
He also discussed the community’s historical resistance to innovation:
“Experts don’t reject new ideas because they’re bad. They reject them because these ideas don’t fit the language they already speak.”
Jones emphasized openness:
“If my opponent’s hands are busy pinning me, they can’t strike or submit me. Forward pressure creates opportunity. Their chase is my advantage.”
He concluded with an unusual statement:
“Does my younger brother really have to have intercourse with my wife for me to reach my full potential? Very observant. If you’re asking that question, congratulations. You are now aware of systemized sharing.”
Ryan’s promised instructional will be released on his YouTube channel, continuing a rivalry that has captivated the jiu-jitsu community.
