Gordon Ryan isn't known for being shy when it comes to speaking his mind, and true to form he predicts opponent Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa will "spaz out" in their upcoming no-gi submission-only superfight. 

Ryan will be part of the co-main event of the evening when he takes on Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa in a 10-minute submission-only match in New Jersey, which will be part of the first Fight To Win event on the east coast. 

Barbosa only has one significant loss by submission (an armbar to Arnaldo Maidana in a gi match back in 2015), but Ryan's confidence doesn't leave room for doubt or anxiety. 

Fans and spectators might wonder how this match will play out, Ryan already has a pretty good idea of how it'll all go down. 

I predict myself on the attack, him consistently disengaging, spazzing, and not performing a single offensive technique the entire match until I eventually submit him. The question isn't or not if I'm going to win. The question is will he be able to spaz away from me for the full ten minutes? Or will my off balances prove to be too much for him, causing me to get a deep entrance followed by a finish?

Gordon Ryan locks in a rear naked choke versus Yuri Simoes. Photo: Blanca Marisa Garcia / EBI

For a competitor who's traveled all over the country to cement his name in the grappling history books, being part of such a prestigious event in his own backyard is a big deal. 

"Finally being able to compete in front of all of my friends and family again means a lot to me. This is the first time in years I'll be back doing a big match in New Jersey. So I'm excited," he says. 

The 'Danaher Death squad' member's submission loss to Felipe Pena at last year's Studio 540 event was a speed bump on his quest to be what he calls "the greatest to ever live", but the 21-year-old has been consistently winning at events such as Submission Underground, EBI and assorted superfights. It's safe to say that the loss that shocked many of his fans barely even fazed him. 


Gordon Ryan on the offensive against Felipe Pena. Photo: Chase Smith / FloGrappling

In fact, Ryan isn't hesitant to say that he's hungry for even greater challenges. He lists Roberto 'Cyborg' Abreu, Marcus 'Buchecha' Almeida and Andre Galvao as three grapplers he'd be eager to face, whether at a future Fight to Win Pro event or under any other sub-only rule set. 

The skill and size they possess, which might be intimidating to other grapplers, just makes them all the more enticing for Ryan. 

"These are three of the guys, in my opinion, who are widely considered to be the best. And they're also enormous," he says. "I'd like to test my skills against any of them, being confident I can submit any of the three." 

But before he has to worry --- or rather, not worry --- about what might happen against any potential future opponents, Ryan has to take on the 'Hulk' in front of his hometown crowd. 

Whether you consider Ryan's assured attitude cockiness or confidence, he's thus far proven that he has the skill to back it up. If his mental stamina and technical prowess can carry him through to yet another victory on Saturday night, the 'King' will begin his reign over yet another sub-only event as he continues on his quest to conquer everyone in his path. 

Watch Gordon Ryan vs Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa and 25+ exciting submission-only superfights LIVE or On Demand ONLY on FloGrappling!

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