Gordon Ryan talks catapult-like impact of UFC partnership on the grappling and jiu-jitsu scene

Multiple-time ADCC world champion Gordon Ryan recently appeared in front of the media ahead of his much anticipated superfight at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3.

The event takes place on December 15th, and will see the best professional grapplers in the world take on one another in a submission-grappling event.

While previewing the event, Ryan spoke about the effect that hosting BJJ matches on UFC Fight Pass will have on "the gentle art." 'The King' said the following:

"I think this is a big jump for the sport as a whole. First it was a crossover between wrestling and jiu-jitsu [fans]... But now you're having the crossover between mixed martial arts and jiu-jitsu. I think ADCC was the first step, having 13 000 people watching a live event.. I think the UFC partnership with grapplers is gonna catapult the sport into a new realm."

Watch the interview below from 5:05:

The ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship takes place every 2 years and was held in Las Vegas this year. With over 13 000 people attending the event over 2 days, it was the biggest ADCC event in the competition's history.

The surge in popularity of the no-gi submission grappling tournaments has helped grow BJJ even further. But with the UFC's audience now being exposed to submission grappling events, Gordon Ryan feels like jiu-jitsu could get far bigger.

'The King' is the current face of BJJ, and has been labeled by both John Danaher and Joe Rogan as the greatest no-gi grappler of all time. Ryan has been undefeated since 2018, and has accumulated the longest winning streak that no-gi grappling has ever seen.

His superfight at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 3 will be against former UFC fighter Vinny Magalhaes, who happens to be the last man to beat Gordon Ryan in BJJ.

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Gordon Ryan says that a BJJ match against the Ruotolo brothers is 'free money'

Kade and Tye Ruotolo have taken the jiu-jitsu world by storm over recent years due to their level of skill and domination whilst still being teenagers.

Both brothers began competing in jiu-jitsu at the age of 3, and Kade Ruotolo, the younger brother, recently won gold at ADCC in the 77 kg division at 19 years old. The Ruotolo brothers have both recently called out the current P4P #1 no-gi grappler Gordon Ryan, who has welcomed a match against either Tye or Kade.

Ryan spoke to the media recently at the UFC 282 press conference and said this about a possible match against the Ruotolo brothers:

"Tye actuall just called me out... he's getting very confident. With me it's false confidence... Tye can hang with the best guys, and compete against anyone in the world. But I'm different... Free money is good money."

Watch the interview below: