This one’s been brewing for years. Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones are two of the most well-known names in no-gi jiu-jitsu. They were both former teammates. They have distinct styles. Two fighters, but one question: Who’s the real king of the mats?
Let’s break it down—and yeah, you get to vote at the end.
The Case for Gordon Ryan
Love him or hate him, Gordon’s got a fantastic resume.
- Multiple-time ADCC champ.
- Dominated nearly everyone he’s faced.
- Unbeaten in No-Gi for years.
- Known for control, pressure, and a crazy high fight IQ.
He doesn’t just win—he breaks opponents. Mentally, physically, and sometimes on Instagram too.
And let’s be honest—when you’re that good, you kinda earn the right to talk trash.
The Case for Craig Jones
Now Craig Jones? He’s the people’s champ.
- Aussie grinder turned worldwide star
- One of the best leg lockers in the game
- Co-founder of B-Team after the DDS split
- Helps coach some of the world’s top fighters (like Volk)
He might not have Gordon’s gold count, but he’s respected for being smart, technical, and hilarious. His instructionals? Top tier. His memes? Even better.
And please keep in mind—Craig’s faced the best and held his own. Always dangerous. Always entertaining.
Who Takes the Crown?
Is it Gordon Ryan—the no-gi king with the wins to prove it? Is it Craig, the fan favorite who possesses one of the sharpest minds in the game?
In our recent poll, Gordon Ryan took 90% of the votes.
Craig? Just 10%.
Still, the debate’s far from over.
Haven’t voted yet? 👉 Cast your vote here
Drop your pick—and let us know why. This battle isn’t just about records.
It’s about style, mindset, and who really runs the mats in 2025.
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