Written in 2018
The IBJJF has never been short on controversy. A confusing, often inconsistent scoring system and a limited rule set banning many popular submissions have fueled debates over whether this almost antiquated format still serves the sport. Many younger grapplers now boycott IBJJF events altogether—some publicly calling the organization a money-grabbing machine holding back Jiu-Jitsu’s evolution.
After watching hours of matches at this year’s No-Gi Worlds, it’s hard to dismiss those claims. Too many bouts devolved into advantage hunting and stalling until the final buzzer—a strategy more about gaming the system than testing skill. For submission-only fans, it’s a letdown.
But what happens when the ordained king of sub-only grappling enters the IBJJF’s most prestigious event? The answer: the grappling world tunes in.
The Gordon Ryan Show
From the moment Gordon Ryan posted his registration screenshot to Instagram—complete with his trademark, unapologetic swagger—No-Gi Worlds became his stage. And he delivered.
Ryan dismantled the best points players in the sport with precision and dominance reminiscent of Roger Gracie and Marcelo Garcia. Competing in both the ultra-heavyweight division and the absolute, he scored four submissions in eight matches—a rare feat in a format built for stalling.
His most decisive win came in the ultra-heavyweight finals, dominating former champion Yuri Simoes 11–0. Still, Ryan insists only submissions count.
His toughest battle was against an aggressive Patrick Gaudio. Trailing by an advantage in the final minute, Ryan staged a comeback to secure victory—showing championship-level composure under pressure.
Finally, in a highly anticipated showdown with Fight Sports founder and multi-time world champion Cyborg Abreu, Ryan was untouchable. Cyborg disengaged for much of the match before a symbolic slap in the closing seconds earned him a disqualification.
Gordon came. Gordon conquered.
Other Standout Performances
While Ryan stole the spotlight, other black belt champions delivered memorable performances.
- Josh Hinger became only the second American to win No-Gi Worlds three years in a row, defeating Kit Dale, Matheus Diniz, and Marcos Tinoco with a mix of wrestling dominance and his signature front headlock game.
- Gianni Grippo capped a career year with lightweight gold, winning his final by submission in the closing seconds. His 2018 run includes an ADCC East Coast Trials title and a KASAI Pro championship.
- Beatriz Mesquita earned double gold on the women’s side, completing the sport’s version of a “grand slam”—holding ADCC, EBI, and IBJJF world titles simultaneously.
Off-the-Mat Drama
Not all headlines were about the jiu-jitsu. The weekend was overshadowed by an ugly altercation involving Ralph Gracie, who attacked Flavio Almeida—knocking him unconscious and causing multiple injuries—over an alleged gym territory dispute. Even a week later, details were still emerging.
Why Gordon Ryan Matters for the IBJJF
This year’s No-Gi Worlds was the most exciting in years, thanks mainly to Gordon Ryan. His matches drew record viewership, with many fans sticking around to watch other divisions—giving IBJJF champions rare mainstream exposure.
Love him or hate him, Ryan gets people talking, watching, and caring. That attention fuels growth for the sport. The IBJJF would be smart to embrace him while he’s pushing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to heights few imagined.
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