The discussion around performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) has reached a boiling point, drawing sharp criticisms and comparisons that have captured the attention of the martial arts community. Recently, Kron Gracie, a prominent member of the legendary Gracie family, took issue with reigning BJJ superstar Gordon Ryan’s controversial stance on the use of PEDs, likening the situation to the infamous Lance Armstrong doping scandal in cycling.
In a direct response to Ryan’s assertion that “steroids are legal in jiu-jitsu,” Gracie challenged the normalization of PED use in the sport. He emphasized that while BJJ may have more lenient testing protocols, PEDs are illegal across all sports. Gracie warned that if the BJJ community continues to overlook the issue, it risks spiraling down the same bleak path that led to Armstrong’s fall from grace. “Lance Armstrong lost everything and he’s just riding bikes,” Gracie pointedly remarked, drawing a compelling parallel between the two scenarios.
The heart of the debate centers around the pervasive use of PEDs at high levels of competition, a reality that many in the sport are reluctant to confront. Gordon Ryan, known for his exceptional talent and outspoken nature, admitted to beginning his own use of performance enhancers in 2016. He defended his decision by highlighting the fragmented landscape of drug testing in competitive BJJ. While the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) does implement testing, several notable events do not require it, creating a disparity that Ryan exploits in his argument.
In his defense, Ryan argued that “the only place they’re not legal is in IBJJF where they started testing after I had won the Worlds.” This statement raised eyebrows, particularly given that Ryan has participated in IBJJF events while still managing to secure titles like the No-Gi Worlds and No-Gi Pans, casting doubt on the effectiveness of the existing regulations.
The broader implications of this debate extend beyond individual athletes. As BJJ continues to grow in popularity and as a competitive sport, the conversation around the use of PEDs poses significant questions about fairness, integrity, and the future of the sport itself. Should BJJ adopt stricter regulations akin to other martial arts and professional sports? Or should athletes like Ryan be allowed to make personal choices, free from the traditional boundaries imposed by regulatory bodies?
As this discussion unfolds, it seems clear that the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community must confront its relationship with performance-enhancing drugs. The warnings from figures like Kron Gracie highlight the potential pitfalls of ignoring such issues. If history has taught us anything, it’s that overlooking the problem could lead to consequences that, once set in motion, can be painfully difficult to reverse. Whether BJJ will heed these warnings or continue down the contentious path of PED normalization remains to be seen.
Last month, Gordon Ryan took aim at Kron Gracie’s reliance on traditional Jiu-Jitsu in MMA…Calling the approach outdated and ill-suited for modern competition.
Speaking during a recent UFC press conference, Ryan spoke about the limitations of sticking solely to classical techniques in a sport that demands adaptability:
Traditional old school Jiu-Jitsu just isn’t enough to translate into mixed martial arts.
He compared Gracie’s sticking-to conventional methods with the hybrid grappling techniques utilized by fighters such as Khabib Nurmagomedov:
You need guys like Khamzat, you need guys like Khabib, you need guys like Islam.
While these fighters might not win against elite pure Jiu-Jitsu practitioners in a grappling match, their adapted style makes them more effective in MMA.
It is all about merging the best of both worlds, in Ryan’s eyes:
Khabib did it the same way as Kron’s doing it.But Khabib did a much better job of transcending Jiu-Jitsu and transcending wrestling – and kind of merging them together to become successful.
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: you can be slow and unathletic and still kick butt in Jiu-Jitsu.
