Jiu-Jitsu Legend Gordon Ryan Retires Due to Health Issues

The 30-year-old grappling champion cites ongoing stomach problems and staph infections as reasons for stepping away from competition.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Renowned jiu-jitsu competitor Gordon Ryan has announced his retirement from the sport due to persistent health issues. The 30-year-old, who is considered an elite talent on the mats, has been dealing with debilitating stomach problems and recurring staph infections that have prevented him from training and competing at his full potential. While Ryan plans to step away from competition, he intends to continue growing the sport by passing on his knowledge to the next generation of grapplers at his gym in Austin, Texas.

Why it matters

Ryan's retirement is a significant loss for the jiu-jitsu community, as he has been one of the sport's dominant figures over the past decade. His decision highlights the physical toll that elite-level grappling can take on an athlete's body, and raises questions about the long-term health implications of the sport.

The details

In a statement posted to Instagram, Ryan cited recurring stomach issues and staph infections as the primary reasons for his retirement. He explained that whenever he pushes himself in training, he experiences debilitating dry heaving that has prevented him from competing at his best. Despite his technical skills being better than ever, Ryan said he has not been able to train or lift hard since January 2024 due to these health problems.

  • Ryan announced his retirement on February 17, 2026.
  • He has been dealing with the health issues since January 2024.

The players

Gordon Ryan

A 30-year-old jiu-jitsu legend who has won multiple grappling competitions, including IBJJF and ADCC. He is known for helping train some of the biggest stars in the UFC, like former two-division champion Jon Jones.

Kings Jiu-Jitsu

Ryan's gym in Austin, Texas, where he plans to focus on building the student capacity, opening a global affiliation program, and sharing his knowledge with the next generation of grapplers.

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What they’re saying

“Today marks 10 years at black belt, 10 years on top of the sport, and the probable end to my competitve career. As many of you know, ive had this debilitating and seemingly unfixable stomach issue since recurring staph infections/antibiotics wiped out my good gut biome.”

— Gordon Ryan (Instagram)

What’s next

Ryan plans to spend the next few years building up his gym, Kings Jiu-Jitsu, and helping his athletes achieve their goals before potentially considering a return to competition if his health improves.

The takeaway

Gordon Ryan's retirement highlights the physical toll that elite-level grappling can take on an athlete's body, and the difficult decisions they sometimes have to make to prioritize their long-term health. While a significant loss for the jiu-jitsu community, Ryan's decision to focus on passing on his knowledge to the next generation of grapplers is a testament to his commitment to the sport.