Photo credit to Black Belt Magazine
ONE Championship Signs Gordon Ryan for MMA transition
ONE Championship signs Gordon Ryan, the decorated BJJ player to a grappling and MMA-based deal.
The ADCC gold medalist’s signing with the organization was announced via ONE figurehead Chatri Sityodtong’s personal Twitter.
https://twitter.com/yodchatri/status/1373994327307812870?s=20
For many who follow both mixed martial arts and submission grappling, this MMA crossover for Ryan has been long contemplated.
This move to gloved combat has been teased by Ryan for a while now. Finally, the stars have aligned for this transition to soon come to fruition.
Though he’ll be concurrently competitive in both grappling and MMA, a ruleset has not been outlined for Gordon Ryan’s first foray under the ONE banner.
Gordon Ryan has over 140 victories in BJJ. He is currently riding a 45 match winning streak over the last few years.
The 25-year-old is a black belt under Garry Tonon. Tonon has a similar grappling/ MMA deal with ONE as Tonon has gone 6-0 as an MMA fighter with ONE Championship.
ONE Championship Signs Gordon Ryan
A weight class was also not specified for Ryan’s MMA debut. Though the multi-time EBI champion will likely compete in the heavyweight division.
A field that includes present divisional kingpin Brandon Vera. But also features names like Amir Aliakbari, Buchecha, Dustin Joynson, and Arjan Bhullar in a seemingly ever-growing weight category.
The IBJJF no-gi world and IBJJF pan champion has world title accolades at both 99 kg and also in the absolute division as well. He holds notable victories over the aforementioned Buchecha, Josh Barnett, Gabriel Gonzaga, and Rousimar Palhares to name but a few.
The Jiu-Jitsu savant will next compete in a few days’ time.
Ryan is lined up for a grappling sequel against Vagner Rocha on March 26th. The two went to a draw in their initial 2016 matchup.
Who do you want to see Gordon Ryan take on in his MMA debut for ONE Championship?
