No, Gordon Ryan will not be competing at 2026 ADCC Worlds.
Ryan announced his official retirement in February 2026 due to ongoing health issues that had negatively impacted his career for years.
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- Here's What Happened At The 2024 ADCC World Championship
The seven-time ADCC World champion defeated Yuri Simoes 21-0 in the Superfight at the 2024 ADCC World Championship, which would become his last ever official ADCC match.
So what is Ryan up to post-retirement? Has one of the greatest of all time completely walked away from the sport? Here’s what to know about Gordon Ryan in 2026.
Why Isn't Gordon Ryan At ADCC Words 2026?
Gordon Ryan was the 2024 Superfight champion, defeating both Yuri Simoes and Felipe Pena in back-to-back days. So why isn't the American defending his title in 2026?
The answer is simple: Ryan is retired. He walked away from the sport due to medical issues at just 30-years-old. Despite having the skills and mentality to keep competing for gold medals, his body refused to comply and he was forced to leave the sport as a competitor at the highest level.
His career accolades speak for themselves. He's a seven-time ADCC World champion and three-time IBJJF World champion. He's trained with the best fighters in the world across various disciplines and solidified himself as an all-time great.
Gordon Ryan Hasn’t Left Submission Fighting
While Gordon Ryan might not be competing on the world stage anymore, he hasn’t left BJJ or submission fighting.
Instead, Ryan has transitioned into coaching, becoming a co-founder of Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, a gym located in Austin, TX. Kingsway is home to a mix of top-level BJJ athletes and young beginners looking to pick up the sport.
Ryan has committed himself to helping form the next generation of submission fighting greats through instruction, while growing the sport.
Gordon Ryan Has Been Creating An Online And Social Media Presence
Gordon Ryan has committed himself to creating an online platform to teach BJJ and increase his social media presence.
He posts multiple times a month on various platforms breaking down his past performances and analyzing what tips young athletes should take to their games.
Ryan also creates instructional videos for coaches and athletes breaking down specific techniques and strategies in BJJ.
Despite no longer competing, Ryan has kept himself relevant in the BJJ community by continuing to help grow the sport.
Watch The 2026 ADCC World Championship
Watch the 2026 ADCC World Championship live on FloGrappling on Sept. 12-13. Action starts at 5 a.m. ET and carries on throughout the weekend.
Additionally, watch full replays of submissions and key moments from the tournament throughout the weekend on FloGrappling.
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