UFC icon and combat sports analyst Chael Sonnen has delivered an assessment of Gordon Ryan’s current position in the grappling world. In a recent YouTube video, Sonnen said that the longtime champion’s reign of supremacy may be coming to an end following Mason Fowler’s victory at UFC BJJ 2.
“I’m calling Gordon Ryan’s supremacy into question,” Sonnen declared, though he was quick to acknowledge Ryan’s exceptional credentials. “Gordon does not deserve that. He deserves to be recognized as one of the great athletes, period, and the best in the sport of grappling. But I’m forced to. I have no choice.”
The catalyst for Sonnen’s bold statement is Mason Fowler’s recent capture of the UFC BJJ championship. Fowler previously held the Submission Underground title through various contested formats including one-night tournaments and superfights.
Drawing parallels to boxing history, Sonnen compared the current situation to Floyd Mayweather’s career challenges. He explained how Mayweather faced similar questions about his supremacy when he appeared to avoid certain matchups, particularly with southpaw speedster Zab Judah. “There’s certain matchups that are just a problem. They just are,” Sonnen observed, referencing how some fighters simply present unique stylistic challenges.
The comparison extends beyond boxing, with Sonnen citing examples from MMA, including how Charles Oliveira’s rise created retrospective questions about Khabib Nurmagomedov’s legacy after his retirement. “You have to be a champion of something. You have to. Otherwise, you’re retired,” Sonnen emphasized.
Importantly, Sonnen defended Ryan against accusations of deliberately avoiding Fowler. He revealed that Ryan was actually willing to face Fowler in Submission Underground, and both competitors entered Abu Dhabi on the same bracket side, with their potential matchup scheduled for the following morning. However, “Mason in a big upset didn’t come through,” preventing the anticipated clash.
Despite maintaining that he would still rank Gordon number one if forced to create a list today, Sonnen stressed the importance of active championship status. “If Gordon was not the active champion of something, he automatically would go to a different list known as the all-time greats,” he explained, comparing this to how retired legends like Georges St-Pierre and Khabib are categorized.
Sonnen then went on to say: “I want Gordon to want the match. I want Gordon to tell me to shut up. I want him to tell the UFC that’s my belt. Every championship is mine. I want Gordon versus Mason Fowler and I want it now.” The crux of his argument centers on the unresolved nature of the Ryan-Fowler matchup and what he perceives as a lack of urgency from both athletes to make it happen.
