Gordon Ryan has announced his much-anticipated return to competition at the upcoming ADCC World Championships in August 2024. This announcement comes after Ryan retired several times in the past couple of years due to ongoing health issues, including severe stomach problems.
Last year, a bout of stomach flu forced Ryan to withdraw from his highly-anticipated rematch against Felipe Pena, highlighting the challenges he has faced with his health. However, Ryan is now determined to make a comeback, and his choice of opponents and events has stirred up discussions among fans.
It was widely reported that the grappling phenom would participate in both a divisional event and a superfight at the ADCC event. However, a recent update on the ADCC official website suggests a different plan. Initially, Ryan was featured in superfights against Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes, but the Pena match has since been removed, leaving fans speculating about his motivations.
While it remains unclear in which division Ryan will participate or which events he will compete in besides the Simoes superfight, his return has reignited debates among fans about his opponent selection.
Some fans have accused Ryan of cherry-picking opponents, a claim he has vehemently denied.
Ryan’s opponent is Josh Saunders, a two-time ADCC Asian & Oceanic Trials Champion from Australia. Saunders, known for his size, strength, and agility, will compete in the +99kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships. While he is considered a formidable athlete, Saunders has yet to achieve notable BJJ wins at major events, potentially fueling the cherry-picking accusations.
Addressing the accusations, Ryan fired back, stating, “I’ve never been one to shy away from a challenge, and I certainly won’t start now. My health issues have been well-documented, but that doesn’t mean I’m looking for easy fights. I’ll take on whoever they put in front of me, and I’ll prove once again that I’m the best in the game.”
Regardless of the opposition, Ryan’s return is a massive story in the grappling world given his incredible unbeaten streak and legacy of championships across major no-gi competitions like EBI, No-Gi Worlds, and multiple ADCC titles.
