Gordon Ryan, Staph, and Austin BJJ — What Every Texas Grappler Needs to Know

REST ROUND · September 8, 2026 · 6 min read

Austin, Texas has one of the most serious BJJ scenes in the world. B-Team, 10th Planet, Atos, Renzo Gracie — elite training is everywhere. And Gordon Ryan, the greatest no-gi grappler alive, is now based here. His story with staph is the most important hygiene lesson in the sport.

Gordon Ryan's Staph Nightmare — The Full Story

Gordon Ryan is widely considered the greatest no-gi grappler of all time. He is also the sport's most prominent example of what happens when staph infections are treated rather than prevented.

Ryan's problems started simply — a staph infection picked up on the mat. He took antibiotics. The staph returned. He took more antibiotics. This cycle repeated until the antibiotics themselves became the problem — destroying his gut microbiome, causing severe nausea, leading to a fungal infection in his small intestine, and ultimately costing him years of competitive activity.

Ryan is now based in Austin, Texas — currently focused on opening his own academy in North Austin. The lesson his career teaches is available to every Austin grappler before they need to learn it the hard way.

Austin's BJJ Scene — And Why Mat Hygiene Matters Here

Austin has one of the highest concentrations of elite BJJ gyms in the United States. B-Team — founded by Craig Jones, Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, Seth Belisle and Ethan Crelinsten — trains some of the best no-gi grapplers in the world out of their South Austin facility. The level of training in this city is extraordinary. So is the infection risk that comes with it.

High-level training means high-volume mat time with high-level training partners. That's exactly the environment where staph spreads fastest — not because gyms are dirty, but because the intensity and frequency of contact is so high. The same conditions that make you a better grappler make you more exposed to mat infections.

Austin BJJ Gyms

The Protocol That Prevents the Cycle

Whether you train at B-Team, 10th Planet, or your local Gracie Barra affiliate — the post-training hygiene protocol is the same. Here's exactly what works.

• Step off the mat and immediately spray HOCl directly onto all exposed skin. Do this before anything else — before grabbing your water bottle, before checking your phone.
• Spray any cuts, abrasions, or mat burns directly. HOCl does not sting and actively supports healing.
• Spray inside your gi collar, gloves, and headgear. Leave to air dry.
• Shower with antifungal body wash as soon as possible after training.
• Wash all training gear after every session — no exceptions.
• Check your skin daily. Staph doesn't show symptoms for 3–5 days. Catch it early before it requires antibiotics and starts the cycle Ryan experienced.

Frequently Asked Questions