Arm wrestling legend Devon Larratt recently spent time teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu superstar Gordon Ryan the intricacies of his sport. The unlikely pairing came together for what Ryan described as a “weekend of shenanigans” that revealed surprising connections between their respective disciplines.
Ryan, who has dominated the grappling world with multiple ADCC gold medals and is widely considered one of the greatest no-gi competitors of all time, discovered that arm wrestling offered more than he initially expected.
Taking to social media, he shared his newfound appreciation for Larratt’s sport, noting that “arm wrestling is way more technical than you’d think” and simply that “arm wrestling is fun.”
On the other hand, Larratt has previously shown interest in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, having participated in exhibition matches.
Ryan’s current health struggles have impacted his competitive career. The 30-year-old grappling phenom has been dealing with persistent stomach issues that have affected his ability to train and compete at the highest level. His recent comments about these ongoing problems reveal the toll they’ve taken on his performance and recovery.
“I always have a belly ache, so um you’re just trying to get that back to normal,” Ryan explained during a recent press conference, detailing how these health concerns have become a major obstacle in his competitive pursuits.
However, Ryan’s enthusiasm for arm wrestling suggests he may have found an activity that his body can better tolerate. His social media post included a telling observation: “My belly can handle arm wrestling.”
Recent reports from his former teammate Craig Jones suggest that Ryan may be stepping away from competitive grappling permanently. “He will not compete. I don’t believe he’ll ever compete again. I think this time it’s real. This time it’s a real retirement because of his health,” Jones revealed on The Ariel Helwani Show.
Jones further indicated that Ryan’s future plans extend beyond athletics entirely, claiming that the grappling star is considering a political career. “I think he’s going into politics actually. I’ve heard. I think he’s going to run for Congress,” Jones stated.
Ryan himself has expressed uncertainty about future ADCC participation, particularly with the 2026 championships on the horizon. His decision-making process centers on two key factors: his health status and the direction of the tournament under new leadership. “The next one we’ll see, we’ll see how it plays out. Number one, the main thing is my health, you know, just getting my stomach to a point where I can actually, you know, grapple well,” he explained.
