While Day 1 of ADCC has produced a lot of beautiful submissions, it’s the ugly brawl involving Gordon Ryan, Dorian Olivarez and Bezkat Kapashov that’s getting the most attention.
After Olivarez got a submission win over Kapashov, a brawl erupted between him the large Kazakh contingent supporting Kapashov. Olivarez’s coach and teammate Gordon Ryan seems to have gotten the worst of it, as the Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) all-time great took punches from multiple attackers in the melee.
Gordon Ryan releases statement on ADCC 2026 brawl
Minutes after getting
backstage, Gordon Ryan immediately released a statement and described his side of the brawl.
“John (Danaher) and Mike (Olivarez, Dorian’s father) are in their 50s, so it’s just the three of them and like 15 Kazakh guys,” Ryan said, explaining that he was cornering a different teammate on the next mat. “This was all happening and I was like ‘for sure, when this match is over there will be a fight. 100%.’ I angle my chair towards them, while I was still coaching. The match ends, and a fight starts.
“15 Kazakh dudes jumped John, Mike and Dorian. [Editor’s note: Danaher was on the side, and didn’t seem to be involved at any point.] So I jump in. I crack the first guy,” Ryan said. “The second guy sees me and yells, ‘Gordon, Gordon, Gordon’ They all turn towards me… immediately tackle me. Five or like six guys started hitting me in the head. One guy started soccer kicking me, a couple of guys punching me.”
Ryan also called it a “fun” scrap that stole the show.
“(After it got broken up) the fight’s done, I just run back, sat down and started coaching Dominic (Mejia),” Ryan said.
“Thanks to the Kazakh guys for the scrap. That was fun. Always remember, I’m fight of the night, every night.”
Dorian Olivarez disqualified, suspended after ADCC 2026 brawl; Owen Jones steps in
While Dorian Olivarez got a nice submission win in the match, ADCC officials have announced that he won’t be continuing in the tournament. Both him and Kapashov have been disqualified and suspended for their involvement in the brawl.
“As per ADCC, Dorian Olivarez and Bekzat Kapashov have been disqualified from the ADCC World Championship for their conduct on and off the mat. Both athletes will receive a one year ban from ADCC,” FloGrappling announced.
After the suspension, Owen Jones will now step into Dorian’s spot in the -66 kg tournament. The former B-Team star lost a close and controversial decision to Ryoma Anraku in the opening round, and will now get a second chance at the tourney.
Olivarez was initially one of the favorites to win the tournament, and has now lost his chance at an ADCC medal.
Check here for full results and highlights from Day 1 of ADCC 2026.
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