As it did with MMA, the UFC is attempting to take over the world of professional grappling, but it will have to do so without one of the sport’s biggest stars.
UFC BJJ is an offshoot of TKO set on bringing UFC structure and production to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The promotion has already two events and plans on moving forward into the grappling space, led by former UFC fighter Claudia Gadelha. The face of UFC BJJ, right now, is Mikey Musumeci, who has stated part of his interest in UFC BJJ is the promotion’s commitment to cleaning up the sport, which has a long history with performance enhancing drugs. And Gadelha recently confirmed as such when talking to Connect Cast (h/t Jits Magazine).
“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.”
Considered by some to be the greatest grappler of all time, Ryan is a seven-time ADCC gold medalist, and a five-time IBJJF gold medalist, along with numerous other grappling accolades. Ryan has not lost a grappling match since a points decision to Vinny Magalhaes in 2018, with a record of 157-9-3 in competition. Ryan has been open about PED usage in his career, saying PEDs are a benefit to advancing the sport of grappling. And while Ryan previously competed on UFC Fight Pass Invitational in 2022, it appears he won’t be welcome at UFC BJJ unless he changes his tune.
“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.”
That might not make much difference to Ryan anywhere, who has not competed since last August, and has dealt with numerous health issues over the past few years.
UFC BJJ 3 is set to take place on Oct. 2 at the UFC APEX in Las Vegas.
TOP STORIES
Results. Five contracts awarded for four first-round finishes on Week 3 of Contender Series.
Reaction. ‘What a f*cked up situation’: Matt Brown reacts to Raja Jackson assaulting defenseless pro wrestler.
Release. ‘You can’t look past the weight cut’: Bryan Battle reacts to ‘humbling’ UFC release.
Bet. Diego Lopes responds to Jean Silva’s takedown bet ahead of Noche UFC 3.
Khamzat Chimaev. ‘I just don’t see anyone beating Khamzat’: Sean O’Malley reacts to UFC 319 main event.
Grappling. Chael Sonnen claims he’s facing Craig Jones in CJI 2 main event.
VIDEO STEW
Bryan Battle interview.
Mark Henry opines on the Raja Jackson situation.
Sure. Why not. GSP vs. Nick Diaz.
Belal Muhammad putting some dudes through the paces.
FLAVOR IN YOUR EAR
MMA Fighting Rankings Show.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Dustin Poirier and his retirement hobby.
Damn. Louis Smolka with real talk.
Aljamain Sterling defending Brian Ortega.
Dan Ige doing a daily topic and it’s been pretty solid.
Gotta know who your bosses are.
Let this man have one. He deserves it after that win.
That’ll be fun.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Matheus Camilo (9-3) vs. Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady (15-4); UFC 321, Oct. 25.
Tracy Cortez (12-2) vs. Erin Blanchfield (13-2); UFC 322, Nov. 15.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I sincerely need someone to tell me why PEDs are bad in BJJ. I don’t buy the argument in MMA either, but at least the “someone could die from Superman punching them” argument evokes an emotional reaction. Drugs that help you recover faster and compete better are just a natural advancement in modern medicine, the same as an ACL repair or LASIK. Drug testing is invasive, expensive, and unnecessary (also it doesn’t really work). Don’t bring that charade to BJJ competition.
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