Gordon Ryan Almost Ready for Return, Wants to Headline GSP Grappling Event

Timothy James

July 10, 2023

The BJJ GOAT is recovering – and he’s got monumental plans for his return to action.

Gordon Ryan spoke with Inside Fighting’s Andrew Capucetti, giving an update on his health status, his plans for his return, and his thoughts on Elon Musk vs. Mark Zuckerberg.

Gordon Ryan Gives Health Update

Much was made of Ryan’s dramatic body transformation after a series of illnesses zapped the BJJ legend of his strength – but he says he’s recovering nicely and expects to be healthy enough for competition soon.

“I had my tonsils out, I had my deviated septum fixed,” Ryan explained. “I wasn’t able to train, couldn’t get my nose … I have one more week, then I can train hard. Then I’m ready to go, back to normal. Full speed ahead.”

Ryan wasn’t just dealing with tonsils and a deviated septum. The BJJ star also battled a brutal strep infection and ear infection, which led to his hospitalization. The infections caused a flair-up of stomach ulcers, a condition he had dealt with previously. While dealing with the pain of the infections and ulcers, Ryan underwent a drastic body transformation.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Gordon King Ryan (@gordonlovesjiujitsu)

Ryan’s dramatic body transformation had the grappling world talking – especially his competition. Many people took the opportunity to kick Ryan when he was down – but when you’re on top of the BJJ world, the chirping doesn’t phase you.

“No, [the trash talk doesn’t bother me]. Because they know when I come back, it’s going to be trouble,” Ryan responded when asked about what he made of the trash talk. “Chirp, chirp, chirp. When I’m back, everyone’s watching me again.”

Gordon Ryan wants to headline GSP grappling event

One GOAT to another, Ryan has big plans for his return to competition.

A UFC Fight Pass Invitational grappling event is happening in December, with Georges St. Pierre expected to compete in combat sports for the first time since his retirement from MMA in 2017. Ryan would love to be on that card – as the headliner.

“I’m going to try and actually headline that card with [GSP],” Ryan stated. “I’m going to try to talk to the Fight Pass guys and get on that card.”

With the MMA world buzzing about seeing GSP back in action, a showdown between the welterweight GOAT and the BJJ GOAT is sure to generate a ton of hype.

Gordon Ryan offers to train Elon Musk

While a showdown between two greats like GSP and Ryan would be the talk of the town, everyone is still wondering whether the Billionaire Brawl between Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg might happen. Dana White seems keen on making it a reality, with more and more fighters throwing their names out their as potential training partners for the billionaires – including Ryan.

Musk has been training with legendary BJJ coach John Danaher, who happens to be Gordon Ryan’s trainer – opening the door for a potential partnership between the Twitter kingpin and the BJJ GOAT.

“If he wants to keep training, [I’ll train him],” Ryan responded when asked if he would coach Musk. “He lives in Austin, so it’d be pretty easy. If he wants to train with me, I’m happy to train with him.”