Let’s turn the spotlight on Champion American Grappler Gordon Ryan, who’s our guest teacher at the Bronx Martial Arts Academy (BMAA). Gordon is well known as an IBJJF No-gi world champion, a 3-time ADCC world champion, and a four-time Eddie Bravo Invitational champion and we’re honored to have him teaching our students.
Gordon started his Brazilian Jiu-jitsu training at age 15 and won his first ever competition (IBJJF World No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Championship) as a brown belt. He then decided to start his competitive career in martial arts, resulting in win after win after win.
In April 2016, he defeated Yuri Simoes (a world champion) in the Eddie Bravo Invitational Championship, including noted grappler Rustam Chsiev. Next, Gordon defeated Keenan Cornelius, a well-known USA grappler, with a heel hook. It was a no time limit, submission only type of match.
The year after (in September), Gordon joined the ADCC World Championship and won a gold in the -88 weight category, where he defeated several notable names in grappling: Romulo Barral, Keenan Cornelius, Dillon Danis and Xande Ribeiro. In the absolute division, Gordon took the 2nd spot, losing to Felipe Pena. Within the same year, Gordon won another Eddie Bravo Invitational Championship title. He also joined Kasai Pro where he defeated Yuri Simoes for the second time.
In September 2018, Gordon won in the absolute division and in his weight class by submission, at the IBJJF Pan No-gi. He also led his team (Team Alpha Male) to victory in the 5 on 5 Japanese grappling tag team promotion called Quintet, broadcasted on the UFC Fight Pass. Gordon also joined the IBJJF Nogi Worlds competition in California, earning him a gold (his weight class and the absolute division).
This year, Gordon won a superfight at the KASAI Super Series held in Dallas, Texas in February where he was matched up against Joao Gabriel. During the match he tore his LCL and had to recuperate for 6 months before being able to compete again.
Just last month, Gordon proved his place in the grappling industry once more, by becoming the absolute champion (aside from the champion in his weight division) in the ADCC World Championship. He defeated Marcus Bucheca Almeida, despite being heavily bandaged (and injured) as a result of a freak accident with a motorized bike. Talk about a real champion! Taking this time to congratulate Gordon Ryan too and also thank him for guest teaching at BMAA.