Gordon Ryan accused the Gracie family of a 50-year history of performance-enhancing drug use after Kron Gracie condemned his stance on PEDs, sparking a heated debate about cheating, hypocrisy, and the lack of drug testing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Highlights
- Gordon Ryan accused the Gracie family of a 50-year history of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use, sparking a significant feud within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) community.
- Kron Gracie condemned Ryan’s stance on PEDs, emphasizing that such substances are illegal in all sports and comparing Ryan’s stance to that of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.
- The debate highlights a broader issue within BJJ regarding the prevalence of PEDs and the lack of standardized drug testing protocols, prompting discussions about the need for regulatory measures to ensure fair competition.
In a recent escalation within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) community, renowned grappler Gordon Ryan has accused the Gracie family of a five-decade-long history of performance-enhancing drug (PED) use.
This claim emerged following criticism from Kron Gracie regarding Ryan’s stance on steroid use in the sport.
Gordon Ryan And Kron Gracie Are Key Figures In BJJ
Gordon Ryan, often called the “King” of No-Gi grappling, has dominated the BJJ scene with multiple world championships and a reputation for technical prowess.
His openness about PED use in the sport has sparked significant debate.
“If the UFC chooses to stop drug testing, the sport will blow up, athletes will be healthier and compete longer, and fans will enjoy watching more…period.”
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) October 13, 2023
Gordon Ryan on UFC and USADA splitting up pic.twitter.com/b0KwTXzFb2
Kron Gracie, a member of the legendary Gracie family, is both a BJJ black belt and a mixed martial artist competing in the UFC.
The Gracie family is credited with popularizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu globally, and Kron upholds the family’s legacy through his competitive endeavors.
The Feud Began When Gracie Challenged Ryan’s Stance On PED Use
The dispute began when Ryan publicly stated that steroids are prevalent and effectively legal in grappling competitions.
Kron Gracie responded by condemning PED use, emphasizing that such substances are illegal in all sports and comparing Ryan’s stance to that of disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong.
He wrote on his Instagram story,
It’s illegal in every sport, only in Jiujitsu and Mma people look past this and think it’s ok?! Lance Armstrong lost everything and he’s just riding bikes.
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In retaliation, Ryan accused the Gracie family of hypocrisy, alleging that they have engaged in steroid use for nearly 50 years.
He referenced past incidents, including a 2007 case where a family member tested positive for banned substances, to support his claims.
In the Instagram post, Gordon wrote,
Talking to these people is like talking to liberals. You present facts, and they’re just like “no,” lol. I say we are on earth. They say we are on mars. We just aren’t. They say steroids are illegal in jj.. they’re just not. Like, they’re just… not lmao. 2+2 just isn’t 5. It’s just not. You can say you don’t like them. You can say they’re not right. You can say they should be illegal, but the FACT is that they’re just simply… not 😂. Also, you’re gonna tell me the family hasn’t used steroids in jj and mma for like the last 5+ decades ? Places they were legal? Hahaha
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However, many audience members of the feud seem to have sided with Gracie, with some comments reading:
You really do a lot of mental gymnastics to justify your steroid use. It diminishes your accomplishments.
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No integrity to sportsmanship is a weird banner to wave
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I couldn’t morally justify to myself that I won anything on steroids bc it wasn’t solely me and my talent. It takes away from my satisfaction and legacy
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One supporter of Gordon’s argument wrote,
Guys it’s ok, all of your favourite grapplers are on PEDs. At least Gordon is honest about it. All Olympic athletes are on PEDs too, at least all that medal or the top 10-20 in every event/division. Honestly probably every athlete in pro sports is taking them or the vast majority are. Think of how hard it is to make it to the big leagues let alone stay in them for any amount of time. PEDs are just part of being a professional athlete at this point.
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Broader Context Of PED Use In BJJ
Gordon Ryan’s career is marked by unparalleled success in No-Gi BJJ, with multiple ADCC World Championships and a reputation for defeating high-level opponents.
His candid discussions about PED use have been polarizing, with some praising his transparency and others criticizing the normalization of such substances.
Not that I’m trying to stir up any unwarranted drama, but gordan ryan just stated that MMA should allow athletes to be on steroids because it would supposedly make it more entertaining.
— Johnny Eblen (@JohnnyEblen) October 17, 2023
Hey bro, there’s a reason your health sucks and it has a lot to do with you wanting to be an… pic.twitter.com/6QAj5DiQJ0
The debate between Ryan and Gracie highlights a broader issue within BJJ regarding the prevalence of PEDs.
Unlike other sports, BJJ lacks standardized drug testing protocols, leading to varied opinions on the acceptability of PED use.
This controversy has prompted discussions about the need for regulatory measures to ensure fair competition.
Additional Information
- Gordon Ryan has battled severe health issues, including recurring staph infections and a condition called gastroparesis, which affects the stomach muscles and prevents proper digestion.
- Gordon Ryan received his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu within just five years of starting his training. This is an exceptionally fast progression in the sport.
- Before fully committing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kron Gracie was an avid skateboarder. He was so passionate about it that he even attracted sponsorships from skate shops.
