Since 2017, 27-year-old Gordon Ryan has asserted his dominance on the mat. The outspoken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete has also earned accolades to back up his loft claims. However, the multiple-time ADCC World Champion posted a distressing health update on May 30 for the fitness community. After a massively successful 2022 season, Ryan looked forward to the 2023 season, but in March, a bacterial infection derailed all his plans.

“Everyone posts their best. Be confident enough to post your worst,” wrote the champion grappler in his Instagram caption. Instead of his ripped physique, Ryan showed people the drastic deterioration of his physique leaving many mortified. He explained the issues he is dealing with, but most people who already suspected him of being on steroids slammed the BJJ star in the comments.

Gordon Ryan’s distressing yet hopeful update

The no-gi BJJ specialist posted a shirtless image of himself where his physique looks massively downsized. Instead of his rippling ab muscles, Ryan’s stomach looked flat after battling a severe Strep throat infection. The jiu-jitsu champion’s arms looked downsized too. “The last time I was this size,(201 lbs,20+ lbs this week) I was 21 years old,” wrote Ryan. The 27-year-old explained the infection got so bad he thought his “head would explode,” anytime he elevated his heart rate.

Gordon Ryan said his current physique is the result of three months of no activity and five months of no jiu-jitsu training. According to the champion grappler, “40 days of antibiotics,” also ravaged his gut, which made the issue even worse. However, Ryan revealed the infection was gone, and the doctor said he could start lifting. Gordon Ryan was also self-aware while writing the caption.

While he acknowledged it would take him a long time to return to competition, he asked for no sympathy from the fitness and martial arts community. Aware that doubters would have a field day after he made the post, Ryan wrote that he would prefer people “lose faith,” so he could prove them wrong. The ADCC champ was right in his assumption.

The fitness community had mixed reactions to Gordon Ryan

People immediately jumped to conclusions after Ryan posted the image. “Stop taking/cycling roids then… Your body is screaming for help bruh,” wrote one user. “My friend, you have to stop taking steroids, they are destroying you, just simple as that,” wrote a second user. “Yeah that’s what happens when you abuse steroids,” commented a third individual.

Despite his detailed explanation, many people said PEDs caused Ryan’s health issues. However, not everyone slammed the champion grappler when he was down. “Gut health is king …antibiotics will destroy your gut. I’ve been on this all natural Japanese probiotic…changed my life. Blessings…speedy recovery kid!” wrote UFC fighter, Philip Rowe. Olympic wrestling and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo also commented. “Get well soon Champ,” he wrote.

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Whether Gordon Ryan took PEDs is not known, but he has had gut issues since 2018, and the strep infection did not help. Only time will tell if the BJJ champion can regain his previous dominant form.