Gordon Ryan, known for his seven ADCC world titles and unmatched dominance in grappling, has sparked a heated debate over performance-enhancing drugs in sports. The conversation was reignited during a recent episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, where Rogan and his guest Bert Sorin discussed Ryan’s controversial views and the culture of PEDs in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Ryan has been vocal about his belief that PEDs should be permitted in combat sports, claiming they improve performance and entertainment value. This opinion has drawn criticism from fellow grappler Mikey Musumeci, who strongly opposes PEDs and sees their use as unfair.
Joe Rogan Opens Up About Gordon Ryan and PED Controversy in BJJ
Rogan, never one to hold back, addressed Ryan’s physical condition and training habits. “There’s no way he’s passing any tests,” Rogan stated, noting Ryan’s ability to train relentlessly and his visibly enhanced physique. The discussion raised questions about fairness and regulation in a sport where drug testing is not consistently enforced.
That’s where steroids come in, and that’s why Gordon Ryan can train 365 days a year. He’s open about it—like, he’s open about his use. Yeah, because they don’t test for steroids in Jiu-Jitsu. So, you know, he’s a wizard, so he’s like a pragmatist.”
“That’s what happens when you abuse steroids.”
The amount of people who juice in BJJ is obscene, Gordon is just one of the few who actually talks about it.
His unique health issues aren’t a result of hormone use either.
The comments on his recent posts have been wild, but also… pic.twitter.com/uz8TcQcK21
— More Plates More Dates (@Derek_Fitness) June 4, 2023
Sorin expressed surprise at the apparent lack of oversight in BJJ events. Joe Rogan explained that many competitions, including ADCC, are self-governed, which allows them to avoid standard drug testing protocols. Critics, like grappling star Kade Ruotolo, argue this creates an uneven playing field. Ruotolo remarked that widespread testing would likely result in most athletes being disqualified, reinforcing his stance that PEDs are a form of cheating.
“The UFC—they do, yeah. But have you ever seen Gordon? You ever seen him with his shirt off? Oh yeah… that motherf— he ain’t passing no tests. [with a photo of Ryan on screen] When you have that, and then you have a genius-level IQ… and then you have a guy who trains 365 days a year and who also works on technique constantly—that’s how you have the greatest of all time.”
“But, by the way, all those guys there, like Galvao—the guy who was on the bottom there? He’s on the juice too. It’s a level playing field. They’re all juiced up.”
Gordon Ryan Demonstrates Some Great Options From Mount Position. pic.twitter.com/ZHapa6yPYb
— Lock-In Jiu-Jitsu (@lockinjiujitsu) August 26, 2024
The ongoing exchange between Ryan and Musumeci has divided fans and athletes. While Ryan argues that PEDs are part of competing at the highest level, Musumeci remains firm in his commitment to clean sport.
As the debate continues, Rogan’s candid insights have shone a light on an issue that goes beyond BJJ. The lack of clear regulation leaves many wondering whether PEDs will ever be addressed consistently in grappling competitions. For now, the controversy remains unresolved, fueling discussions across the combat sports world.
