Who Had The Best ADCC Debut Ever? Ranking Gordon Ryan vs Marcelo Garcia

Who had the best ADCC debut ever? Two of the most impressive were Marcelo Garcia and Gordon Ryan, but who was better? 

Marcelo Garcia burst onto the grappling scene in 2003 ADCC World Championships, winning three out of four matches by rear naked choke on the way to the 77kg gold medal. Garcia was actually a late replacement at this event after taking second at the South American trials. 

In his first ever ADCC he beat former champion Renzo Gracie, the only opponent in his weight class who avoided being submitted. He also went 1-1 in the absolute division, winning one by submission and losing via points. Marcelo would go on to retire as one of the most accomplished ADCC competitors in history with four gold medals and a silver in his weight, along with a silver and bronze in the open class. 

Gordon entered the ADCC history books in 2017, going 7-1 and submitting his opponents in five out of seven victories. While critics of Gordon going into ADCC 2017 were vocal about him only being dangerous with leglocks, he showed amazing versatility with his submission game at ADCC and hit submissions from a variety of positions. 

While Ryan did go back to his trusted heel hook game to tap former ADCC absolute champ Cyborg and Mahamed Aly, he also choked two-time ADCC silver medalist Keenan Cornelius, former ADCC champ Romulo Barral and Craig Jones.

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