The Ultimate Fighting Championship is planning a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu division, but top grappler Gordon Ryan won’t be part of it. Claudia Gadelha, a former UFC strawweight and BJJ black belt, said on the Trocação Franca podcast that Ryan’s open refusal to compete without performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) bars him from the UFC’s new venture. With the UFC pushing for clean competition through strict testing, Ryan’s stance on PEDs has put him at odds with the organization’s vision for professionalizing BJJ.
UFC’s Clean Sport Commitment
The UFC aims to bring BJJ into its fold with a focus on fair competition. Gadelha, involved in the project, emphasized that drug testing will be mandatory.
“Yes, [testing] will come in because we want to professionalize the sport,” Gadelha said. “So, it’s the best in the world against the best, right? The best in the world against the best in the clean world. It’s not the most doped, no. No longer doped. And Gordon will never compete in UFC BJJ. If you’re doped, you won’t compete. So without dope, there is no Gordon.”
Ryan has been vocal about using PEDs, viewing them as essential for elite performance. Gadelha highlighted his transparency.
“I say this because he says so himself; he refuses to not use because he thinks it is part of an athlete’s package,” Gadelha said. “It’s his philosophy. He is very transparent about this… If he is (on PEDs) he does not compete.” h/t MMAFighitng
This stance conflicts with the UFC’s anti-doping program, which transitioned from USADA to Drug Free Sport International in 2024, enforcing rigorous testing for all athletes.
Gordon Ryan started BJJ at 15 under Tom DeBlass, later training with John Danaher. He gained fame in 2016 by winning the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) 6 absolute title as a brown belt. Promoted to black belt in 2017, he dominated the ADCC World Championships, taking gold in 2017, 2019, and 2022 in the 99kg and absolute divisions. Known for his heel hooks and back attacks, Ryan also secured multiple IBJJF No-Gi World titles. His outspoken nature, including public feuds with grapplers like Nicky Rodriguez, and his openness about PED use for recovery and performance have made him a polarizing figure in BJJ.
The UFC’s BJJ division will follow the same anti-doping standards as its MMA program, in place since 2015. The USADA program previously led to suspensions of fighters like Jon Jones and T.J. Dillashaw for PED violations. Drug Free Sport International, now overseeing testing, maintains strict protocols. Ryan’s refusal to compete without PEDs directly opposes these rules, making his participation in UFC BJJ impossible, according to Gadelha.
The UFC’s BJJ division is still in development, with no confirmed launch date.
