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.

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.

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

Louis Martin

Louie is a full time writer and content management guy. He owns the site highpercentagemartialarts.com, and has written for JiuJitsuTimes, YouJiuJitsu, BJJFAQ, and GrapplingInsider. He also published "The True Believers", a book about cults in martial arts. He trains under Elliot Kelly, but loves to rep his 10th Planet roots.

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