BREAKING: Gordon Ryan Steps in To Replace Injured Jake Shields for Kinektic Submission Grappling

Editor’s Note: We’ll update this story as we get news on it.

One of the year’s most intriguing submission grappling cards just got a lot more compelling as Gordon Ryan has confirmed on Instagram that Jake Shields is in fact, out of the tournament and Ryan with be stepping into his slot of the BJJ Fanatics Team on just four days notice. See Ryan’s Instagram post below.

View this post on Instagram

Hey everyone… @jakeshields is unfortunately out of this team event where he was on team @bjj.fanatics with @edwinnajmi @lachlan_giles @nickyrod247 and @craigjonesbjj.. Fortunately, i am replacing him this Friday…. And im gonna fucking maul every single human being on that stage with no questions asked. ????????‍♂️????

A post shared by Gordon King Ryan (@gordonlovesjiujitsu) on Aug 12, 2019 at 5:39pm PDT

Earlier today, rumors began to circulate on twitter from photographer and journalist Amy Kaplan that Shields had suffered an injury and could not compete for team BJJ Fanatics at Friday’s event.

Just got off the phone with Urijah Faber who informed me that Jake Shields is injured and out of the Kinektic
(@kinektic1) grappling this Friday. He was to be a part of Team BJJ Fanatics (captained Craig Jones)

— Amy Kaplan (@PhotoAmy33) August 12, 2019

The collective internet was quick to speculate/fantasize that Ryan, who has a history of competing in major events on short notice, would be called in as a replacement.

Fans will remember that Ryan competed in a similar team grappling event last year, Quintet 3. In that event, he fought and submitted Craig Jones in the finals. In an interesting twist, the two will now be teammates on the BJJ Fanatics team.

Ryan recently won double gold on the IBJJF Nogi Worlds 2018, just the latest title for the man many believe to be the best active nogi grappler in the world. With his addition, Team BJJ Fanatics seems a heavy favorite to win the tournament. Here is a look at the updated teams:

TEAM BJJ FANATICS (Captain Craig Jones)
Gordon Ryan
Nicky Rodriguez
Edwin Najmi
Lachian Giles
Craig Jones

TEAM LIGHTS OUT URBAN ACHIEVERS (Captain Chris Lytle)
Rico Rodriguez
Joe “Diesel” Riggs
Mansher “Munch” Khera
Will Weed
Chris “Lights Out” Lytle

TEAM SUG (Captain Chael Sonnen)
Gabriel “Zangief” Barbosa
Rafael Domingos
Alexandre “Capitao” Almeidia
Ronny Markes Natal
“Vicious” Vinny Magalhaes

TEAM LIONHEART (Captain Anthony Smith)
Brian Sparrow
Joseph “The Baddest Man on the Planet” Warren
Scott Morton
James Brasco
Enrico “Teen Phenom” Cocco