Nicky Ryan: Age, Weight Class and Team

Nicky Ryan is one of the most technically refined young grapplers in submission grappling. He is the younger brother of Gordon Ryan, a black belt under John Danaher, and a long-time member of the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team. Here are the quick facts plus the longer story.

Nicky Ryan at a glance

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Nicholas Ryan
Born	December 2001, Monroe, New York
Age	24
Height	5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
Weight Class	70 to 77 kg (155 to 170 lb)
Nationality	American
Team	New Wave Jiu-Jitsu
Coach	John Danaher
Belt	Black belt
Signature game	Leg locks, back attacks, guard retention
Notable events	ADCC, EBI, Polaris, WNO

Early life and introduction to BJJ

Nicky Ryan was born in Monroe, New York and started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a child. His older brother Gordon was already on the same path, and Nicky followed him into the Renzo Gracie pipeline that eventually became the Danaher Death Squad.

His exposure to Danaher's systems at such a young age gave him a head start most grapplers never get. By his early teens he was already competing in adult brackets and holding his own against opponents with decades more experience.

Transition into professional competition

Nicky's transition into the professional grappling circuit was seamless. At just 16 years old he was already a fixture at the Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI), where his control, calm head and submission entries marked him out as a prodigy.

He has since competed at Polaris, ADCC, and Who's Number One (WNO) against some of the deepest fields in the sport. His standout traits are his composure under pressure and his ability to chain leg-lock entries with back attacks, which is the Danaher house style refined for a smaller, faster body type.

Key matches and notable achievements

• ADCC 2019 quarterfinals: At 17, Nicky reached the quarterfinals of the ADCC World Championships, one of the youngest competitors in the bracket and a clear signal of where his career was heading.
• Polaris 10 vs Urijah Faber: A composed decision win over the experienced grappler and former UFC title challenger, with Nicky controlling tempo and dominant position throughout.
• EBI and submission-only wins: Multiple sub-only event wins on the back of his leg-lock game.
• Notable matches against Mikey Musumeci, Geo Martinez and other elite lightweights have shaped his standing in the 70 kg division.

Nicky has battled health issues over the years that have interrupted his run, but he has consistently come back to the competition circuit. The depth of his system, more than any single highlight, is what marks him as a future name in the sport.

Training and the Danaher system

Training under John Danaher has shaped every layer of Nicky's game. The Danaher system emphasises position before submission, leg-lock entries that flow from any guard, and a strategic, conceptual approach to control. Nicky's style reads like a textbook version of that system: efficient, patient, and surgical when the finish appears.

The training environment around New Wave (and previously the DDS) adds the second piece: full-time training partners at the same level, with Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon and Giancarlo Bodoni all available to roll with on any given day. That kind of room is rare in the sport and is a big part of why the Danaher athletes consistently outperform their peers.

Where Nicky Ryan trains now

Nicky is part of the wider New Wave Jiu-Jitsu family in Austin, Texas. He had a brief stint away from the team during the 2022 to 2023 period but has continued to operate within the Danaher ecosystem. He is not on B-Team, which is the rival Austin team led by Craig Jones, Ethan Crelinsten and Nick Rodriguez.

Frequently asked questions

How old is Nicky Ryan? Nicky Ryan was born in December 2001, making him 24 years old as of 2026.

How tall is Nicky Ryan? He is 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) tall.

What weight class does Nicky Ryan compete at? Nicky competes in the lightweight bracket, typically between 70 and 77 kg (155 to 170 lb) depending on the event.

Is Nicky Ryan Gordon Ryan's brother? Yes. Nicky is Gordon Ryan's younger brother and they have trained together for most of their careers under John Danaher.

What team does Nicky Ryan compete for? Nicky competes for New Wave Jiu-Jitsu under John Danaher, based in Austin, Texas.

What belt is Nicky Ryan? Nicky is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, promoted by John Danaher.

What is Nicky Ryan's signature move? He is best known for his leg-lock game, particularly heel hooks from ashi garami and inside sankaku, in line with the Danaher leg-lock system.

The bottom line

Nicky Ryan is one of the most technically refined lightweight grapplers in the world and is still in the early chapters of his career. Bred in the deepest competition gym in the sport and coached by John Danaher, he has the system, the partners and the time to build an ADCC-level resume. He is well worth tracking on the elite grappling circuit.

For more on his team and the wider Danaher system, see the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu team page and the anatomy of a modern grappling dynasty.