Who's #1 Primer: Gordon Ryan vs. Kyle Boehm
Photo by Dan Rod from IPTC Photo Metadata
UFC 250 isn’t the only combat sports card this week as the grappling promotion, Who’s Number One, is set to host a monster of a card, headlined by none other than Gordon Ryan. Joining him are a number of ADCC veterans and some of the brightest prospects in the sport today for what should be a great night of grappling.
Main Event: Gordon Ryan v. Kyle Boehm (No-Time Limit Sub)
Gordon Ryan is the undisputed, pound for pound #1 no-gi grappler in the world today. Undefeated since 2018, Ryan has racked up numerous accolades including, but not limited, to ADCC gold at 88kgs, 99kgs, and in the absolute division. Starting as someone seen as purely a leg locking threat, Gordon has evolved rapidly, most notably adding floating passing and back attacks to his arsenal.
Gordon Ryan’s main passing strategy involves using floating passes. When Gordon enters the open guard of his opponent he typically has one leg inside his opponent’s guard and one leg out. Once he enters the guard, Gordon places both his hands near his opponent’s head for balance as he likes to pummel using his legs to pass his opponent’s guard. In this sequence because his opponent is trying to elevate him, Gordon changes the positioning of his left hand to pin his opponent’s right leg to the mat, preventing his opponent from being able to flip his hips in an attempt to re-guard. This allows Gordon to pass to his right side and establish back control.
Gordon’s back control system is the deadliest in sport jiu jitsu. Using a body triangle to secure position against fellow great Craig Jones, Gordon’s first priority is to keep his head in between Jones’s and the mat, so that Jones cannot get his shoulders to the mat, escaping the back. Once this is accomplished, Gordon controls the hand of Jones which is closest to the mat and pushes it away before attempting the rear naked choke. When this is accomplished, Ryan forsakes the underhook he has on Jones’ other arm to properly apply the finish of the RNC.
Opposing Ryan is 10th Planet black belt, Kyle Boehm, most known for his victories at the BJJ Fanatics invitationals. Boehm, is known primarily for his heel hooks, which have led to four of his six submission wins at black belt, as well as his skill in winning in EBI styled overtime.
Starting in the 411 position, Boehm attempts to control his opponent’s free leg for two reasons. One, if you have a grip on the free leg from the 411 position, your opponent can no longer turn out and away to escape, and two, Boehm’s opponent has his feet triangled, preventing him from attacking the heel. Boehm separates this connection by going for an ankle lock grip, before switching his control to create more space, as well as inserting his left knee in between both of his opponent’s legs. Once he creates enough separation, Boehm attacks his opponent’s foot, forcing his opponent to roll. As this happens, Boehm maintains his bite on his opponent’s leg and stays well above his opponent’s knee line until he is able to finish the inside heel hook.
While Boehm has been touted by some as someone who can beat Gordon Ryan, Ryan should be able to dominate this match. Ryan has experience in the no time limit, submission only ruleset with a prior victory over Keenan Cornelius. On the other hand, nearly all of Boehm’s notable victories have come via EBI Overtime, and his main weapon, the outside heel hook, should be easily nullified by Ryan. Look for Gordon to pass and sink in the RNC.
The Pick: Gordon Ryan by RNC
Co-Main Event: Nicky Ryan v. Tye Ruotolo
For my money, this is the most intriguing matchup on the card. Both athletes competed at ADCC last year at 66kg but are primed to move up to the 77kg division. Ryan, the younger brother of Gordon Ryan, has a prior victory over Tye’s twin, Kade, at the 2019 ADCC West Coast Trials. Nicky, has an adept leg locking game which has seemed to be the main weakness, if you can call it that, of both Ruotolo brothers.
On the other hand, Tye Ruotolo was one of the breakout stars of ADCC, putting on back and forth classics with the likes of Paulo Miyao and Kennedy Maciel. Employing tactics such as the leg stomp pass and darce, Ruotolo has proved to be an adept passer and submission threat against the top black belts in the world. Look for Ryan to play guard while Ruotolo attempts to pass, as Ryan’s win over Kade Ruotolo occured once Ryan entered the 50/50 position. While I don’t believe either will be finished, I favor Ruotolo to get the decision due to the growth he has shown since his last lost to a DDS member, and his ability to move around his opponent’s guard. .
The Pick: Tye Ruotolo by Decision
Kade Ruotolo vs Ethan Crenlinsten
Another matchup between the Danaher Death Squad and ATOS pits the Kade Ruotolo against Ethan Crenlinsten. While we haven’t seen Kade nearly as much as Tye, Ruotolo brings much of what his brother brings to the table. Yet, this seems like a match made for Crenlinsten, especially under sub-only rules. Coming off an extremely close match with Johnny Tama, the reigning IBJJF No-Gi World Champion, Crenlinsten’s game is tailor made for this ruleset as he heavily emphasizes leg entanglements and back takes.
In addition, Crenlinsten also holds a victory over Tye Ruotolo via toe hold. While Kade has no doubt improved since the last time we saw him, I haven’t seen enough from him to indicate whether or not he can prevent leg exchanges with someone who is superior in leg entanglement situations, especially in sub only rules.
The Pick: Ethan Crenlinsten by Inside Heel Hook
Alec Baulding v. Kody Steele
Rounding out the black belt portion of the card, ADCC East Coast Trial winner Alec Baulding is set to face off with Combat Jiu Jitsu champion Kody Steele. Baulding, an Alliance black belt, is primarily known as a gi player, yet acquitted himself quite well during the ADCC East Coast Trials. Kody Steele on the other hand is one of the top prospects in the jiu jitsu world who is known for his physically imposing wrestling game and passing ability.
Neither is particularly known for their guard game in no-gi, while Kody is probably the better wrestler of the two. Throw in the fact Baulding only finished one of his opponents under ADCC rules, and it makes it hard to pick him over Steele under sub-only rules in what should be a fun matchup.
The Pick: Kody Steele by Decision.