For years, the jiu-jitsu scene in Austin has been divided by an intense rivalry. New Wave Jiu-Jitsu and B-Team, once united under John Danaher’s legendary Danaher Death Squad, split in 2021 after a failed relocation to Puerto Rico (amidst other things). The breakup sent shockwaves through the grappling world, fracturing friendships and creating two powerhouse camps that operated side by side yet were worlds apart. But sometimes, tragedy has a way of dissolving old grudges.

That’s exactly what’s happening now. This Sunday, October 12, both sides will meet under one roof, not to compete, but to help one of their own. The event will take place at Simple Man Martial Arts (formerly B-Team), as both the Danaher-led New Wave and the Nicky Ryan-led Simple Man crew unite to raise money for Ezekiel ‘Eze’ Zurita, a South American jiu-jitsu athlete and longtime training partner in Austin who has fallen gravely ill. His story has touched the entire local community. And leading the charge? Gordon Ryan’s mother, Trish Ryan.

Gordon Ryan’s mother leads John Danaher to join up with B-Team for a charitable cause

John Danaher broke the news on Instagram, writing, “Let’s get together: Ezekiel Eze Zurita @buba_bjj is a jiu jitsu athlete from South America who has lived and trained here in Austin the last five years. He was a real fixture in local Jiu-Jitsu and helped us and other schools a lot as a training partner. Our ADCC camps would not have been the same without him.”

The renowned grappling coach then revealed that Zurita had recently undergone surgery for a brain tumor and faced mounting medical costs. According to Danaher’s post, “He has racked up considerable medical expenses as a result. Ezekiel is friends with Trish Ryan, mother of Gordon and Nicky, and she suggested an open mat to help raise money for Ezekiel. I will go to B Team/ Simple man martial arts @bteamjj on Sunday 12 October at 12:30pm to teach a one hour class with open mat afterwards to help with Ezekiel’s medical cost – all proceeds to his cause. Thank you to Trish and Nicky for facilitating this – looking forward to seeing you on Sunday!”

For the first time since the infamous split, the two camps will share the same mats again. And the symbolism of that moment won’t be lost on anyone in Austin’s BJJ scene. But let’s rewind for a moment. When the Danaher Death Squad disbanded, the split was anything but friendly. What followed was years of subtle digs, competing philosophies, and quiet tension.

Craig Jones took charge of B-Team (now Simple Man Martial Arts), while Danaher rebuilt with New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, where Gordon Ryan dominated the competition scene. The rivalry even extended to promotions like the Craig Jones Invitational or CJI, which briefly brought both teams together under one competitive banner before they parted ways again.

But life has a strange way of cutting through division. When someone like Ezekiel, who trained, rolled, and sweated alongside members of both teams, faces hardship, the politics fade away. What’s even more remarkable is how Gordon Ryan’s family continues to influence the jiu-jitsu world beyond the mats. While the BJJ phenom himself has largely stepped away from competition, his mother’s initiative here echoes the community spirit that often gets lost amid social media feuds and team rivalries. But with the launch of UFC BJJ, many are also wondering, will we see ‘The King’ step onto the mats again?

UFC BJJ director shuts the door on Ryan for one reason

While Gordon Ryan’s mother is bringing two rival teams together for a noble cause, her son’s name is once again stirring debate. With the UFC officially launching UFC BJJ, fans began asking a familiar question: Will ‘The King’ finally make his long-awaited debut on a new kind of mat? The short answer, according to UFC BJJ’s director Claudia Gadelha, is a firm no.

Gadelha, a former UFC title challenger herself, made it clear during an appearance on Connect Cast that Ryan is not in the organization’s plans. She explained, “Yes, [testing] will come in because we want to professionalize the sport, so, it’s the best in the world against the best, right? The best in the world against the best in the clean world. It’s not the most d**ed, no. No longer d**ed. And Gordon will never compete in UFC BJJ.”

Gordon Ryan’s dominance at ADCC 2024, where he beat Felipe Pena and Yuri Simoes, reminded everyone why he’s often called the greatest submission grappler alive. But with UFC BJJ taking a strict anti-d**ng stance, his controversial legacy has officially caught up with him. Yet, Ryan has never shied away from the truth. He’s spoken openly about using PEDs, citing chronic stomach issues and repeated staph infections as part of his reasoning.

According to him, “Even if it were to take 20 years off of my life, I wouldn’t regret doing the things that I’ve done to become the greatest of all time in this sport. Because ultimately, when I die, my legacy is what’s going to be remembered.”

So, from a community open mat in Austin to the global mats of UFC BJJ, Gordon Ryan’s name continues to echo across every corner of the grappling world, even when he’s not competing. His mother’s compassion has brought former rivals together, proving that jiu-jitsu, at its core, is still about people before politics. Meanwhile, ‘The King’s own story stands as a paradox, a legend defined as much by controversy as by greatness.