Nicky Ryan, younger brother of 2017 ADCC champ Gordon Ryan, has issued a open challenge to one of Eddie Bravo’s top competitors. 

The 16-year-old purple belt — who trains under John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan, New York — specifically named a match with Geo Martinez as his next objective in an Instagram post on Thursday. 

"I have a very clear dream of solidifying myself as a GREAT in the Jiu-Jitsu world. I work everyday, tirelessly, with the best grapplers on the planet to make my dreams come to fruition. Over the past year I have SUBMITTED 2 top 10PL black belts (Marvin Castelle and Ricky Lule) in under 10 mins combined and became the youngest competitor in ADCC history. I would like to challenge Geo Martinez to a nogi no-time limit match. I believe the system I have been learning over the past 3 years is the best in the world and that is why I am confident I will win. I mean no disrespect to the 10 PL team or Geo, but I believe i deserve this match."

Nicky Ryan on top vs. Ricky Lule at Fight To Win Pro 56. Photo: Mike Calimbas

Ryan has shown himself to be a prodigious grappler over the last 12 months. He holds two victories over 10th Planet black belts after submitting Marvin Castelle via heel hook and Ricky Lule via rear-naked choke. 

He placed third at both of the North American ADCC Trials, and was a last-minute replacement in the 66kg division at the recent ADCC World Championships in September after Justin Rader got sick. This made Ryan the youngest male competitor to have ever competed at an ADCC World Championship. 

Goe Martine attacks for a leglock against Bruno Frazatto at the ADCC West Coast Trials. Photo: Kiyoshi Mio-USA TODAY Sports

Born in 1987, Martinez is a three-time EBI champion, an ADCC Trials winner, and a two-time ADCC veteran. The 145lb grappler holds a win over Ryan’s senior teammate Eddie Cummings as well as well-known grapplers including Jeff Glover, Kristian Woodmansee, Rafael Domingos, and Alexandre Vieira. 

Ryan turned 16 in July of this year but has shown a grappling IQ far beyond his years. The other members of the "Danaher Death Squad," such as Gordon Ryan and Garry Tonon, predict that in time Nicky will become the most successful of them all. 

Watch Nicky Ryan vs. Ricky Lule Fight To Win Pro 56

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