How Craig Jones & Gordon Ryan Became Enemies?
The Rise, Fall, and Feud That Shattered Modern Jiu-Jitsu’s Greatest Team
They were brothers once. Now, they are fierce competitors engaged in combat on and off the grappling mats.
Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan weren’t just stars—they were teammates in the world of jiu-jitsu. Forged under the brutal brilliance of John Danaher, these two dominated the no-gi scene as part of the feared Danaher Death Squad. Submission after submission, title after title, they stood side-by-side, tearing through the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu like it was built for them.
But behind the gold medals and social media smiles, cracks were already forming. Resentment. Ego and the pursuit of being number one turn them into enemies.
So what really happened? How did two teammates chasing greatness become bitter enemies trading memes, insults, and accusations?
This is the inside story of the betrayal that shattered a dynasty—and changed the face of Jiu-Jitsu forever.
The Golden Age!
To understand the chaos that followed, you need to see how good things once were.
The Danaher Death Squad wasn’t just a team—it was a revolution. Built in the blue basement of Renzo Gracie’s academy in New York, it was led by John Danaher, a quiet genius with a limp and a brain wired like a computer. His athletes didn’t just roll—they executed with mathematical precision.
Gordon Ryan was the wrecking machine who won ADCC gold like pancakes. Then there is Craig Jones—Australia’s finest, a leg-lock sniper with charm and power to match. Alongside competitors such as Garry Tonon, Nicky Ryan, and Nick Rodriguez, DDS represented the Avengers of Jiu-Jitsu. They weren’t just winning—they were reshaping the sport.
But their move to Puerto Rico in 2020 destroyed all the good things.
Cracks in the Foundation.
Paradise didn’t last long.
Living, training, and working together 24/7 started to wear on everyone. The team's split was caused by the pressure to win, the grind of elite training, differing training ideas, rumors of tension, clashes of personalities, and tensions between brothers.
From the ashes rose two new forces: New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, led by Gordon, Danaher, and Garry Tonon. And B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, led by Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, and Ethan Crelinsten.
And they started to clash with each other on social media. What a shame!
Gordon accused Craig of sabotage. Craig fired back with stories of abuse, overtraining, and deep dysfunction in DDS. The split wasn’t just about training styles—it was personal, ugly, and public.
Two Kings, Two Kingdoms.
Austin became the epicenter of Jiu-Jitsu’s most heated rivalry.
New Wave stuck with Danaher’s systemized style that is methodical, ruthless, and hyper-focused on dominance.
B-Team leaned into creativity and fun. Still elite, but with a lighter vibe—and a heavy social media presence.
Both squads kept winning. Both produced stars. And every match, every face-off, and every tournament bracket became a proxy war in the Craig vs. Gordon saga.
Real Beef or Just Business?
Is the hate real? Depends who you ask.
Craig claims that the issues are primarily just banter, stemming from cultural differences and serving as entertainment for fans. Gordon, on the other hand, sounds like a man who feels betrayed.
Maybe it’s both.
Gordon seems to be experiencing both genuine pain and strategic promotion. In a sport where attention equates to money, this feud maintains both men's prominence, resulting in their instructionals being in high demand.
Legacy of the Feud—Did It Help or Hurt BJJ?
Love it or hate it, the fallout changed everything.
Two elite teams instead of one. More competition. More innovation. However, there has also been an increase in drama, division, and online toxicity.
Still, the attention brought new fans, media coverage, and money to the sport. Craig launched CJI to challenge ADCC. Gordon stayed the king of major tournaments. Their rivalry continues—through students, social posts, and maybe one day… another showdown on the mats.
Conclusion
Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan. Once teammates. Now titans lead rival kingdoms.
The narrative of their journey is still unfolding. However, it's evident that the rise and fall of the Danaher Death Squad established the most captivating rivalry in modern grappling.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fans will keep watching, commenting, and picking sides until these two settle it for real—on the mat or otherwise.
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