Seven-time ADCC champion, four-time EBI king, and undefeated in over 60 matches since 2018—yet it often feels like half the titles Gordon Ryan has collected don’t even show up on Wikipedia. With a staggering record of 159 wins against only 9 losses, it’s a curious anomaly, almost as if the sheer volume of his competitive success has outpaced the record-keeping of even the most dedicated online encyclopedias.
So, if you’re like us, fascinated by the intersection of raw talent, relentless dedication, and perhaps a touch of calculated controversy, then stick around for the next twenty-one minutes.
Because what we’re about to do is embark on a chronological journey, meticulously counting every major belt, every bracket he’s dominated, and every superfight that collectively built the most polarizing dynasty in grappling history.
This isn’t just a list; it’s an archaeological dig into the competitive landscape of modern no-gi jiu-jitsu, revealing the layers of accomplishment that define the man who calls himself “The King.”
Watch the full video befor it’s gone!
THE RISE TO BLACK BELT!
Gordon’s journey began at 15, but his launch into the elite started at brown belt in 2015. He entered the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and won gold without a single point scored against him. That same weekend, he won the Newaza Challenge with five submissions in a combined twelve minutes of mat time. This “green light moment” proved he was ready for the black belt division.
Just weeks after receiving his black belt in February 2016, he took a last-minute spot at the Eddie Bravo Invitational, EBI 6. As a brand new black belt, he tore through the bracket and heel-hooked his way to the final and captured his first black belt title and his first big paycheck in a viral performance that put the grappling world on notice.
The following years, Gordon won three more EBI titles (EBI 8, 11, and 14), cementing his dominance in the submission-only format.
THE KING OF ADCC!
The ADCC World Championship is the Olympics of grappling, and Gordon Ryan’s history there is legendary. In his 2017 debut, he won gold in the 88kg division and took silver in the absolute category—an unprecedented feat for a first-timer.
He returned in 2019, moving up to the brutally tough 99kg division. After running through his opponents, he then entered the absolute division and won that too, earning a spectacular double-gold victory and the official nickname “The King”.
In 2022, he did something no one had ever attempted: he won the +99kg division and competed in the superfight. He captured his third weight class gold and then faced the legendary André Galvão. Ryan submitted the six-time champion, something that hadn’t been done at ADCC in over a decade, cementing his claim as the greatest of all time.
Then, at ADCC 2024, he competed in two separate superfights. He first defeated his rival Felipe Pena via a 2-0 points in extra time. Then, despite tearing his knee in that match, he came out the next day and put on a clinic against two-time champion Yuri Simoes, winning by a score of 21-0 to claim his seventh ADCC gold medal.
BEYOND ADCC!
To prove his dominance in all formats, Ryan took on the points-based IBJJF circuit in 2018. He won double gold—his weight class and the absolute division—at both the Pan No-Gi and the World No-Gi Championships.
Otherwise, Gordon Ryan remains the only athlete to hold both brown and black-belt IBJJF No-Gi world titles. He also added a WNO Heavyweight belt to his collection in 2022, defending it against Felipe Pena in a grueling 45-minute war.
CONCLUSION
From a purple belt bronze to an unparalleled reign, Gordon Ryan’s timeline is a map of obsession and dedication. When you count the major titles, the numbers are objective: seven ADCC golds, four EBI crowns, and an IBJJF double-double. His record is a testament to a career spent hunting submissions and breaking records. So, after laying it all out, what do you believe is the single greatest achievement on this list?
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