ADCC champion Gordon Ryan has implemented a comprehensive dress code at his newly established Kingsway Headquarters, marking a significant shift toward uniformity and tradition in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training environments.
Ryan announced the policy through his social media channels this week, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining “a clean and professional look” at his training facility. The move has generated considerable discussion within the BJJ community, particularly given Ryan’s prominence as a no-gi competitor implementing restrictions that primarily affect gi training.
The New Standards
“We want all students and social media posts looking as uniform as possible,” Ryan stated in his announcement, outlining detailed requirements for both gi and no-gi training attire.
For no-gi sessions, practitioners must wear predominantly white or black matching rash guards and shorts, with at least 80% of the garment consisting of either color. While logos and accent colors remain acceptable, the base color requirement is strictly enforced.
The gi restrictions are more stringent. White gis are mandatory for all practitioners below black belt rank, with black gis permitted exclusively for black belts and above. The policy explicitly prohibits baggy clothing, pockets, zippers, and t-shirts. Additionally, men must wear shorts over compression shorts or spats, and rash guards are required underneath gis.
It’s interesting to see that blue gis aren’t welcome considering that blue gis are more common than black gis.
Reasoning Behind the Rules
Ryan’s rationale centers on creating a uniform, professional appearance that translates well to social media content and maintains visual consistency across training sessions. “We are not trying to make you buy our gear. Only to look uniform and professional,” Ryan explained, noting that the academy stocks black and white options for visitors or students who forget appropriate attire.
The policy reflects broader conversations within the BJJ community about tradition versus modernization. Relson Gracie, a member of the founding Gracie family, has similarly advocated for traditional white gis, arguing that “the gi should be white so you can see the belt color. All these camouflage gis are nonsense.”
Gracie’s perspective emphasizes the functional aspect of traditional uniforms, particularly in competition settings where immediate identification of an opponent’s rank is crucial. This traditionalist viewpoint aligns with Ryan’s approach, despite their different backgrounds in the sport.
Community Reactions and Contradictions
The announcement has sparked mixed reactions throughout the jiu-jitsu community. When one follower jokingly inquired about wearing a “bright pink gi,” Ryan confirmed such attire would be prohibited. Another commenter expressed concern about the loss of “self-expression,” prompting Ryan’s characteristically direct response: “I have great news for you. Don’t train with us if you don’t like it.”
However, the policy has raised eyebrows among some observers who note apparent contradictions in Ryan’s approach. As a predominantly no-gi competitor who has worn various colored rash guards throughout his career, the strict dress code seems inconsistent with his own training background and preferences.
The compression shorts restriction has particularly puzzled some in the MMA community, where such garments have become increasingly popular among fighters. Notable examples include incidents where fighters have had their traditional shorts grabbed during competition, leading many to prefer compression gear for its practical advantages.
Industry Context
Ryan’s dress code places Kingsway Headquarters within a broader trend of academies implementing uniform policies. The Art of Jiu-Jitsu (AOJ) academy is notably known for its strict dress code requirements, demonstrating that such policies are not unprecedented in high-level training environments.
However, Ryan’s approach differs significantly from more controversial uniform policies, such as those implemented by Gracie Barra, which require students to purchase academy-branded gear exclusively. Critics have described such policies as “cultish and expensive,” making Ryan’s approach appear more reasonable by comparison, as he explicitly stated that students are not required to purchase his branded equipment.
B 
B team was quick with a response:
