Within the steroids vs. competing clear debate that continues within the submission grappling world, Gordon Ryan continues to be an ardent spokesperson for utilizing as many PEDs as attainable.
Gordon’s identify was introduced up loads by new UFC-exclusive grappler Mikey Musumeci, who pinned numerous blame for the game’s acceptance of efficiency enhancing medicine on the toes of “King Ryan.” In a brand new interview following his gig as an announcer at UFC Battle Move Invitational 9, the adorned 29-year-old grappler shrugged off the criticism.
“I’m fairly detached as to PEDs come what may,” Ryan informed press at UFC 310 (video by way of MMA Combating). “If a match desires to have them, nice. In the event that they don’t wanna have them, nice. Now I believe, clearly, the matches can be higher. I believe the athletes can be higher athletes. The athletes will certainly have the ability to receives a commission extra as a result of the higher you carry out, the higher you look.”
To Ryan, it’s a easy equation.
“The rationale folks watch skilled sports activities is to see the best possible athletes on the planet do what they do,” he mentioned. “And whenever you take efficiency enhancers, it makes you a greater athlete. So I simply suppose that throughout the board, if folks wanna see one of the best athletes, one of the best athletes are the folks on PEDs.”
Gordon famous that every one the testing on the planet hadn’t stopped the proliferation of efficiency enhancing medicine in sport.
“All that PED testing actually does, for my part, is it makes it in order that the folks with the nice groups and medical doctors can afford to beat the assessments, after which the blokes who’re up-and-coming, who’re at some obscure fitness center in Kentucky who have been attempting to make their method up? These guys can’t beat the check, they usually must compete pure.”
“So all you’re doing is making it so the blokes on prime can nonetheless afford to beat the check, and the blokes on backside can’t afford to beat the check. So then you might have pure guys competing in opposition to juice guys anyhow. Whereas in the event that they’re authorized, then all people can simply take as many steroids as they need.”
The ADCC champion argued that PEDs additionally helped lengthen an athlete’s profession and hold them wholesome. It’s a tough promote from a person who can barely compete any extra on account of countless abdomen points and repeated knee accidents some counsel have been worsened by drug use. PEDs might have helped him grow to be one of many greatest names in grappling, however now he’s being pressured to take one other break by way of 2025 no less than.
“I’m simply attempting to rehab my knee proper now as a result of I had an ACL and PCL sprain,” he mentioned. “After which a grade 2 LCL tear within the first [2024 ADCC superfight] match the match with Pena.”
“Primary: the principle factor is my well being, simply getting my abdomen to some extent the place I can really grapple properly. After which quantity two: we’ll see what ADCC turns into in 2026, as a result of this final one, my abdomen was so dangerous. I simply did this as a favor to [ADCC organizer] Mo [Jassim]. However now that Mo’s gone, I actually haven’t any cause to do it except I’m wholesome sufficient and there’s some form of incentive to do it.”
There’s at all times commentating on the UFC’s FPI occasions, which retains Ryan within the highlight. No matter what you consider his opinions, the person attracts eyeballs, and that may solely be good for the expansion of the game at this pivotal second in its historical past.
