Gordon Ryan, born on July 8, 1995, is an American submission wrestler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) black belt. Often called "The King," he is widely considered one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time. Ryan began grappling at age 15 and earned his black belt in 2016. He gained prominence in the no-gi and submission-only circuits, where he defeated notable opponents. Ryan co-founded New Wave Jiu-Jitsu in 2021 after the Danaher Death Squad disbanded.
Ryan is a seven-time ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion, a three-time IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, and a four-time Eddie Bravo Invitational champion. He holds the record for the most ADCC gold medals with seven. His grappling record stands at 157 wins, 9 losses, and 3 draws, with 130 wins achieved by submission. In February 2026, Ryan announced his retirement from competitive grappling, citing ongoing health issues stemming from recurring staph infections and antibiotic use that damaged his gut biome. Although retired from competition, Ryan will continue to be involved in the sport as a coach at Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu.