Gordon Ryan, born on July 8, 1995, in New Jersey, is an American submission wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt widely regarded as one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time. Beginning his jiu-jitsu journey at age 15, Ryan quickly rose through the ranks, earning his black belt in just five years. He is known for his submission-oriented style and membership in the Danaher Death Squad (DDS). Ryan's mentors include Miguel Benitez, Tom DeBlass, Garry Tonon, and John Danaher.
Ryan has achieved unprecedented success in no-gi grappling, winning multiple ADCC World Championships. He is the only athlete in ADCC history to hold titles across three weight categories. Other major achievements include multiple IBJJF No-Gi World Championship titles and Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) championships. Recently, on February 17, 2026, Ryan announced his retirement from BJJ competition due to ongoing health issues. Despite his retirement from competition, Ryan's impact on the sport remains significant, solidifying his legacy as "The King" of no-gi grappling.
