Rivalry · 1 recorded meeting
Gordon Ryan vs Josh Saunders
Head-to-head record
1
Gordon
0
Josh
Did you know?
- The two have met only once on record, at WNO 24 in 2024, with Gordon Ryan taking the win.
- Ryan finished the meeting by inside heel hook, though his most frequent finish overall is the rear naked choke with 22 wins.
- Saunders came to the sport late, starting BJJ in 2020 and earning his black belt in under four years.
- Across recorded matches Ryan sits at 92 wins and 4 losses for a 93% win rate, while Saunders holds 4 wins and 3 losses for a 57% win rate.
- Both men have faced Felipe Pena, with Ryan even at 2-2 against him and Saunders at 0-2.
The rivalry
This is a single-meeting matchup rather than a long rivalry. Gordon Ryan and Josh Saunders have met once on record, at WNO 24 in 2024, where Ryan won by Inside Heel Hook. Saunders had earned the shot by challenging Ryan for the heavyweight title, and the match ended by submission.
The gap in bodies of work is wide. Ryan carries 99 recorded matches with 92 wins and a 93% win rate, finishing 77% of his wins by submission and leaning most on the rear naked choke, which accounts for 22 of them. Saunders has 7 recorded matches with 4 wins at a 57% win rate, and began training in 2020 before earning his black belt in under four years.
They share one common opponent in Felipe Pena. Ryan sits at 2-2 against Pena on record, while Saunders is 0-2. That contrast lines up with the level difference the single meeting suggested.
Career stats
| Stat | Gordon | Josh |
|---|---|---|
| Recorded matches | 105 | 7 |
| Record (W-L-D) | 97-5-3 | 4-3-0 |
| Win rate | 92% | 57% |
| Submission rate (of wins) | 76% | 75% |
| Favorite finish | Rear Naked Choke (12) | Heel Hook (1) |
Their matches
Gordon Ryan def Josh Saunders
by Inside Heel Hook · WNO 24 · Jun 2024
