Nick Rodriguez challenges Gordon Ryan to $100k match, Ryan declines
Nick Rodriguez challenged former teammate Gordon Ryan to a match with $100,000 on the line, which Ryan declined.
Nick Rodriguez is still trying to secure a third match against former Danaher Death Squad teammate Gordon Ryan – and he’s having little success.
On Sunday, at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 5, Rodriguez put on a stellar performance against reigning ADCC absolute champion Yuri Simoes to pick up a victory by points.
After the match, Rodriguez called for a match against Ryan, suggesting that they both put up $50,000.
He said:
“This guy Gordon Ryan is walking out right now. I’ve been trying to get a match with him for quite some time. He’s had his issues in the world of jiu-jitsu, calling me out for my… Accusing me of steroids, I’m sure you guys heard the previous interview. I think it’s time I made him a proposal, a challenge that is hard to refuse, right? So let’s do this: 1 match, same rules as here – 10-minute match, 5-minute OT, but with a catch. I’m willing to put out $50,000 to say I will beat you in this ruleset, $50,000 each, $100,000 on the line. May the best man win.”
After the event, Ryan spoke to the press and addressed the call-out. The multiple-time ADCC champion declined the challenge:
“Nicky Rod and that whole team make their career off soundbites from me so, no comment. Not interested in that at all.”
The beef between Nick Rodriguez and Gordon Ryan
This isn’t the first time Rodriguez has called out Ryan following a victory. Earlier this year, Rodriguez won the absolute tournament at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4. After that victory, he offered to face Ryan under EBI rules but with each athlete subject to drug testing. Ryan declined.
The pair of former training partners have faced each other twice in competition. First, at the 2022 ADCC World Championships, Ryan made quick work of Rodriguez, submitting him with a heel hook in the final of the +99kg division.
Three months later, at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational, Ryan secured a narrow overtime victory over Rodriguez. After that match, Ryan accused Rodriguez of greasing. Rodriguez, in turn, came after Ryan for his use of steroids and PEDs.
In response, Ryan accused Rodriguez – an athlete who has been vocal about not using PEDs – of using steroids. Rodriguez responded to that by taking a random drug test, which he passed.
