JRE MMA Show #109 with Gordon Ryan

1-May-21

JRE MMA Show #109 with Gordon Ryan – Topic Breakdown

This podcast dives deep into the world of Jiu-Jitsu with Gordon Ryan, widely considered the best pound-for-pound grappler in the world. The conversation delves into Ryan’s training philosophy, his relationship with coach John Danaher, and his plans for the future in both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. Provocative topics include the viral “Donnerher Death Squad” training style, the controversial lack of rest days for Ryan and his teammates, and Ryan’s unique approach to trash talking. Underlying themes explore the importance of innovation and dedication to martial arts, the power of a cohesive team environment, and the challenges of finding worthy opponents at the top of a sport.

JRE MMA Show #109 with Gordon Ryan – Topics Breakdown

1. Gordon Ryan’s Rise to Jiu-Jitsu Dominance:

Joe Rogan acknowledges Ryan’s undeniable status as the best pound-for-pound Jiu-Jitsu player on earth.
Ryan credits his success to John Danaher’s coaching, emphasizing that Danaher’s unique methods have propelled him to a level he might not have reached on his own.
Ryan highlights the specific details of their training, focusing on technical nuances and innovative approaches that set them apart from other top grapplers.
Ryan’s relentless pursuit of submissions and his training program that prioritizes control leading to finishes sets him apart from many competitors who prioritize positional control and stalling tactics.

2. The Controversial “Donnerher Death Squad” Training Regime:

John Danaher’s unorthodox approach to training includes a seven days a week, 365 days a year commitment with no designated rest days.
Ryan defends this regime, arguing that staying actively engaged and constantly working towards goals is crucial for maintaining interest and avoiding plateaus.
Danaher’s philosophy stands in stark contrast to traditional training methods that emphasize rest and recovery, and the conversation explores the potential benefits and drawbacks of this intense approach.
The podcast explores the mental and physical demands of this training regimen, highlighting Ryan’s dedication and the unique environment fostered by Danaher.

3. John Danaher’s Coaching Style and Obsession with Martial Arts:

Ryan describes Danaher as a literal genius and a mastermind in Jiu-Jitsu, emphasizing his depth of knowledge and his dedication to the sport.
The conversation highlights Danaher’s unique coaching style, characterized by his seriousness, stoicism, and unconventional methods, like addressing his students by their full names.
Danaher’s obsession with martial arts extends beyond Jiu-Jitsu, encompassing MMA, wrestling, and judo, which Ryan emphasizes as a testament to his vast knowledge and expertise.
The podcast explores the impact of Danaher’s relentless pursuit of knowledge on his coaching style, emphasizing the way he dissects various martial arts to extract and teach valuable techniques to his students.

4. The “Donnerher Death Squad” Team Culture and Collaboration:

Ryan emphasizes the strong team culture fostered by John Danaher, highlighting the dedication, loyalty, and mutual motivation among his students.
He contrasts this team dynamic with traditional martial arts teams that primarily recruit established athletes, emphasizing the way the “Donnerher Death Squad” builds athletes from the ground up.
The conversation explores the collaborative nature of their training, emphasizing how the team members push each other to improve and learn from each other’s strengths and weaknesses.
Ryan’s decision to postpone his MMA career until his teammates achieve comparable levels of success highlights his commitment to the team’s collective success.

5. Gordon Ryan’s Provocative and Controversial Approach to Trash Talking:

Ryan’s outspoken and often aggressive online presence challenges the traditional image of martial artists as stoic and respectful warriors.
Ryan explains his approach as a strategic tool for marketing himself and generating interest in his fights, emphasizing the importance of being entertaining and engaging to build a fanbase.
He defends his actions, arguing that he only attacks those who have started something with him or his team, and that his trash talking is often based on facts and statistics, rather than personal attacks.
The conversation explores the fine line between effective promotion and offensive behavior, particularly in the context of social media, highlighting the challenges of navigating online discourse as a public figure.

6. Gordon Ryan’s Challenges in Finding Worthy Opponents:

Ryan’s dominant status has created a unique situation where finding opponents willing to face him has become difficult, as many fear the potential for embarrassment and a loss to the best grappler in the world.
He discusses the financial aspect of competition, highlighting the disparity between the potential rewards of fighting a high-profile, dangerous opponent like Mike Tyson and the relatively low pay for facing Ryan.
Ryan’s approach to competition, which involves a focus on submissions rather than striking, is discussed as a possible factor contributing to the lack of willing opponents, as many grapplers may not feel as comfortable facing him in a purely grappling setting.
The podcast explores the challenges of promoting and attracting audiences to grappling competitions compared to more traditional combat sports like boxing or MMA, emphasizing the need for more exciting personalities and higher stakes to draw viewers.

7. Gordon Ryan’s Relationship with John Danaher and Their Training Philosophy:

Ryan’s close relationship with John Danaher is a central focus, emphasizing the profound influence Danaher has had on his career and training.
Ryan explains how Danaher’s coaching style has evolved over time, from a focus on developing specific leg lock skills to a more strategic approach that emphasizes winning under specific rulesets.
Ryan describes Danaher’s relentless study of martial arts and his ability to learn and apply new techniques from various sources, showcasing his dedication to constant innovation and improvement.
The podcast highlights the synergy between Danaher’s coaching and Ryan’s dedication, emphasizing how their shared obsession with martial arts has created a unique and successful team dynamic.

8. The Future of Jiu-Jitsu and Gordon Ryan’s Plans for MMA:

Ryan expresses his ambition to become the greatest Jiu-Jitsu competitor of all time, setting a lofty goal for his career and emphasizing his dedication to exceeding the achievements of previous legends.
He discusses his future in MMA, expressing his desire to eventually transition to the sport, but emphasizing his commitment to helping his teammates achieve success in Jiu-Jitsu before leaving the sport.
Ryan explains his decision to prioritize the team’s success, even at the cost of potentially delaying his own MMA career, highlighting the importance of the team culture and the shared goals within the “Donnerher Death Squad.”
The podcast explores the potential for growth in both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, considering the increasing popularity of grappling and the challenges of finding worthy opponents for Ryan at the top of each sport.

9. Gordon Ryan’s Recovery Methods and the Importance of Sleep:

Ryan discusses his recovery methods, emphasizing the importance of stretching and sleep, while acknowledging his lack of discipline in other areas like ice baths or sauna use.
He highlights the challenges of maintaining his physical condition with a demanding training regimen and his gastroparesis condition, emphasizing the importance of finding a balance between recovery and training.
The conversation explores the potential benefits of various recovery methods, like ice baths and sauna, and the impact these could have on his performance and overall health.
Ryan’s focus on sleep as a crucial component of recovery highlights the importance of finding a routine that supports his demanding lifestyle and maximizes his performance in both training and competition.

10. Gordon Ryan’s Gastroparesis Condition and its Impact on Training and Diet:

Ryan reveals his gastroparesis diagnosis, explaining how it affects his ability to eat and maintain a proper diet, impacting his weight and training.
He discusses the limitations imposed by the condition, like the need to eat small meals frequently and avoid certain foods like red meat, fried foods, and spicy foods.
Ryan shares his frustration with the condition, emphasizing the impact it has on his ability to reach his full athletic potential, and his determination to find ways to manage it effectively.
The podcast explores the challenges of dealing with chronic health issues while pursuing a demanding athletic career, highlighting Ryan’s resilience and his commitment to finding solutions to maintain his performance despite the obstacles.

11. Gordon Ryan’s Unique Approach to Competition and His Desire to Punish Opponents:

Ryan discusses his penchant for calling out specific submissions before matches, drawing attention to his confidence and his ability to execute his plans.
He explains his desire to “punish” opponents he considers to be disrespectful or aggressive in their approach, highlighting the importance of building rivalries and generating excitement for matches.
Ryan’s willingness to control opponents for extended periods before finishing them, as seen in his match with Vaguer, showcases his strategic approach to dominating opponents.
The conversation explores the psychological aspects of competition, highlighting the impact of trash-talking and the desire to punish those who disrespect you in a competitive environment.

12. The “Donnerher Death Squad” and the Lack of Clones:

Ryan explains the phenomenon of younger competitors adopting elements of his training style, showcasing the impact of the team’s success and the influence of their methods on the Jiu-Jitsu world.
He discusses the resistance he faces from older, established competitors who are reluctant to adapt and learn from newer techniques, highlighting the generational divide and the challenges of challenging traditional approaches in martial arts.
The conversation explores the importance of innovation and the need for constant improvement in martial arts, emphasizing how those who fail to adapt to new techniques risk falling behind.
Ryan’s success and the influence of the “Donnerher Death Squad” training style highlight the ongoing evolution of Jiu-Jitsu, as new techniques and approaches emerge to challenge the established norms.

13. The Future of Jiu-Jitsu as a Professional Sport and the Role of Entertainment:

Ryan and Rogan discuss the potential for Jiu-Jitsu to become a more mainstream and commercially viable sport, highlighting the increasing popularity of grappling and the growing demand for high-level competitions.
They agree that the sport needs more exciting personalities and engaging competition to attract a wider audience, emphasizing the importance of promoting the sport to those who may not be familiar with its nuances.
Ryan’s own controversial online persona and his willingness to call out opponents before matches are discussed as potential strategies for generating excitement and attracting a broader fanbase.
The conversation explores the challenges of promoting a participant-based sport like Jiu-Jitsu, contrasting it with spectator-driven sports like MMA or football, and emphasizing the need for strategies to appeal to a broader audience.

14. The Impact of John Danaher’s Philosophy on Gordon Ryan’s Career:

Ryan emphasizes the importance of Danaher’s advice to be exciting both on and off the mat, highlighting the need to be entertaining and engaging to build a following and achieve success in the sport.
He explains how he adopted this philosophy by creating the “King Ryan” persona, embracing his trash-talking and online presence to build a strong fanbase and attract attention to his fights.
The conversation explores the relationship between skill and personality, emphasizing how those who can back up their words with action are more likely to become successful and draw a large audience.
Ryan’s success highlights the importance of a well-rounded approach to martial arts, emphasizing the need to not only excel technically, but also to be engaging and entertaining to connect with fans and build a career in the sport.

15. John Danaher’s Unconventional Coaching Style and His Impact on the “Donnerher Death Squad”:

Ryan describes Danaher as a walking encyclopedia of knowledge, highlighting his extensive understanding of various martial arts and his ability to apply this knowledge to the coaching of his students.
The conversation explores Danaher’s unique coaching style, characterized by his intense focus, his dedication to constant learning and innovation, and his unconventional methods that have helped to shape the “Donnerher Death Squad” training philosophy.
Danaher’s dedication to his students, despite his own injuries and limitations, is highlighted, emphasizing his selfless approach to coaching and his commitment to helping his athletes achieve their full potential.
Ryan’s extraordinary success under Danaher’s tutelage highlights the transformative power of a dedicated and passionate coach, emphasizing the impact a mentor can have on an athlete’s career and development.

16. The “Donnerher Death Squad” Training Location in Puerto Rico:

Ryan discusses the decision to relocate the “Donnerher Death Squad” to Puerto Rico, highlighting the island’s relaxed COVID restrictions and the opportunity to create a new training center with a more permanent presence.
The conversation explores the challenges of finding a suitable training environment in Puerto Rico, emphasizing the limitations of the current gym space and the need to open a larger facility to accommodate the growing team.
Ryan contrasts the slower pace and relaxed atmosphere of Puerto Rico with the hustle and bustle of New York City, highlighting the unique advantages and drawbacks of each location for training.
The podcast explores the challenges of adapting to a new location and the importance of finding a training environment that supports the team’s goals and fosters a positive training atmosphere.

17. The Future of the “Donnerher Death Squad” and the Impact of Their Training Philosophy:

Ryan discusses the challenges of finding competition for himself and his teammates in both Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, emphasizing the need to attract more skilled and willing opponents to create compelling matches.
The conversation explores the potential for ONE Championship to expand its Jiu-Jitsu offerings and create a more competitive grappling scene, potentially providing a platform for Ryan and his teammates to showcase their skills.
Ryan highlights the influence of the “Donnerher Death Squad” training philosophy on the Jiu-Jitsu world, acknowledging the increasing adoption of their leg lock and back attack techniques by younger competitors.
The podcast explores the ongoing evolution of Jiu-Jitsu and the impact of innovative training methods on the sport’s future, emphasizing the importance of continued development and adaptation to maintain a dynamic and exciting competitive landscape.

18. The Role of Drug Testing in Jiu-Jitsu and the Prevalence of Steroid Use:

Ryan and Rogan discuss the lack of rigorous drug testing in many Jiu-Jitsu competitions, raising concerns about the prevalence of steroid use and its impact on the sport’s integrity.
They highlight the contrast between the testing policies in Jiu-Jitsu and those implemented in other sports like MMA or the Olympics, emphasizing the need for more comprehensive and robust drug testing procedures.
The conversation explores the role of steroids in athletic performance, discussing the potential benefits and drawbacks of using these substances, and the challenges of detecting and deterring their use in combat sports.
Ryan’s perspective on the prevalence of steroid use in Jiu-Jitsu highlights the complexities of navigating a sport where performance enhancement substances are often seen as a competitive advantage.

19. Gordon Ryan’s Personal and Professional Goals:

Ryan shares his ambition to continue competing until he is 35-40 years old, showcasing his dedication to pushing his physical and technical limits for an extended period.
He discusses the potential for opening a Jiu-Jitsu school after his competitive career, emphasizing his love for the sport and his desire to teach and mentor the next generation of grapplers.
Ryan’s plans for retirement include a “bucket list” item of traveling the country in a truck with a rooftop tent, showcasing his love for adventure and his desire to explore new areas of the US.
The podcast explores Ryan’s multifaceted approach to life, highlighting his dedication to both athletic pursuits and personal aspirations, and his ambition to make a lasting impact on both the martial arts world and his own personal life.

20. The Importance of Hard Work and Dedication in Achieving Excellence:

Ryan’s unwavering dedication to training, his willingness to push his body to its limits, and his commitment to continuous improvement serve as a testament to the importance of hard work in achieving success.
His story inspires listeners to pursue their passions with the same intensity and determination, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Ryan’s journey from a young athlete to a world-renowned competitor emphasizes the transformative power of dedication and the importance of believing in yourself and your abilities.
The podcast offers valuable insights into the mindset of a champion, highlighting the key qualities that drive individuals to achieve excellence in their chosen fields.

Memorable Quotes

“Gordon is undeniably the best pound-for-pound Jiu-Jitsu player on earth. Not just the best, but pretty good statement to say that you’re the best ever. You’re only 25. Yeah. That’s crazy.”
“I’ve been training 10 years, I’ve been competing professionally for five years, and I think that a big part of the reason why I am where I am is because of John’s coaching.”
“We’re not a team that recruits people, we’re a team that builds athletes from almost the ground up.”
“The only thing he’s asking for is that you show up. So you have basically a series of cheat codes in front of you. And they’re there all year round every single day.”
“I just want to finish my career and I want people to think that, okay, there’s just absolutely no chance that anyone could ever touch what you’ve done in your career.”