Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Gordon Ryan Steps Away From Competition, Except One Event in 2024

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Gordon Ryan has had his fair share of health issues over the past few years. His stomach problems have come back and he has decided to take a step away from every competition until he is at 100% other than one — ADCC.

ADCC 2024 goes down on August 17 from Las Vegas, Nevada.

“King” Gordon Ryan took to Instagram to let his fans and critics know where he has been and where he will be for the remainder of the year up until ADCC.

“I’m taking some time – I was going to make 2 posts, but I posted the stomach update in slide 2 and 3,” Ryan stated on Instagram. “I came back for ADCC 2022, which I barely made it to with my stomach. After ADCC, I got overconfident and went ahead and started competing again, which was against my initial plan. The 4th pena camp was the hardest I ever pushed my body. The last 2 weeks, my body shut down, and after my best camp ever, i couldn’t compete. Then, because of my stomach issues, my suppressed immune system took 45 days (on antibiotics) to clear a simple strep throat infection, which then colonized in my tonsils (also have strep and staph in my intestines), needing them to be removed. It took me 6 months to recover from that camp 😂.

“What I went through these last few weeks wasn’t fun. I was bedridden for weeks without eating, stomach full with bile, spending 3-4 hours a day belching and dry heaving in the bathroom. While living that, I’ve finally accepted and came to peace with the fact that my body can’t handle the amount of pressure I put it under until my stomach and immune system is 100% better. My immune system simply can’t handle the workload of camp after camp. I am going to attempt to, as hard as this is, not return to competition until my stomach on paper is 100% better. I don’t care how much money I lose, I don’t care what people think, I can not live like this. When people say that nothing in life matters but your health, they are absolutely right. Feeling like I have been, I’d trade it all just to be healthy. As much as it pains me, I’m going to attempt to step away from all competitions EXCEPT ADCC until my stomach is 100% healthy on paper, by the tests, and by how I feel. Working at half better is only working on borrowed time until my body shuts down again from the workload I put on it. Taking however much time i need to get 100% healthy. I believe it will be better long term, obviously for day to day life, but also competition success and reliability as an athlete showing up. As hard as this is, I will only be competing at ADCC until my health is 100% restored, and if it’s not, no one will ever do what I’ve done, so I can be at peace with that. Love you all ❤️💔”

Ryan was expected to take on Felipe Pena, however, was forced out of that match due to the above health issues. He only competed once in 2023, against Patrick Gaudio at Who’s Number One 20. The John Danaher product took the mats for that match at less than 100% and completely dominated the entire match. Just imagine what he can do at closer to 100%.

Gordon Ryan will take on Yuri Simoes in the absolute super-fight. Ryan earned his spot in the super-fight by beating Andre Galvao at ADCC 2022 becoming the reigning ADCC champion. And Simoes won the absolute division to earn the match-up against Ryan.

Keep it locked to MMASucka.com for more on Gordon Ryan as ADCC approaches.

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Jeremy Brand is an experienced MMA writer and columnist. He is the founder of MMASucka.com, and has represented the company with media credentials at many mixed martial arts fights. Jeremy is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, training in BC, Canada.

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