In an unsurprising move, the UFC is set to introduce a new addition to its MMA branch UFC BJJ.
Brazilian star Claudia Gadelha will head this new venture and will feature some of the biggest icons in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. However, Gordon Ryan will not be one of them.
Formerly considered one of the best submission grapplers, Gordon Ryan has an impressive resume and was initially thought to be a great addition to the newly launched UFC BJJ. However, the fighter was not selected due to his history with PEDs. Ryan has been out of action since competing at ADCC 2024 and has kept a low profile, though many believed this might be his opportunity to make a statement. Unfortunately, his doping past has come back to haunt him.
Ryan has always been vocal about his steroid use, even admitting that his dependence on these drugs led to numerous stomach complications and staph infections.
“People can make arguments where it’s not healthy for you, and there are long-term side effects and things like that,” Gordon Ryan said on his YouTube channel. “I understand that, but at the same time, Michael Jordan quote: I am trying to win at all costs. Even if it were to take 20 years off of my life, I wouldn’t regret doing the things that I’ve done to become the greatest of all time in this sport. Because ultimately, when I die, my legacy is what’s going to be remembered.”
His openness about his history with PEDs has disqualified him from competing in UFC BJJ, though an opportunity might present itself in the future if Ryan stays clean.
“Yes, [testing] will come in because we want to professionalize the sport,” Gadelha told Connect Cast. “So, it’s the best in the world against the best, right? The best in the world against the best in the clean world.
“It’s not the most doped, no. No longer doped. And Gordon will never compete in UFC BJJ,” Gadelha explained. “If you’re doped, you won’t compete. So without dope, there is no Gordon.”
Gordon Ryan is a seven-time ADCC gold medalist and a five-time IBJJF gold medalist, along with numerous other grappling accolades.
