The rivalry between Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones isn’t letting up. This time over technical disagreements about Jones’s Octopus Guard 2.0 instructional series.
Ryan recently shared a Reddit thread on Instagram that questioned the effectiveness of a darce grip escape technique featured in volume three of Jones’s Octopus Guard 2.0 instructional. The move quickly became a hot topic for debate within the BJJ community.
“I kept telling myself that the problem was mine.”
The original poster explained they questioned their own judgment rather than critiquing Jones.
Ryan followed up by posting his own technical breakdown, accompanied by a lengthy caption dismantling the mechanics of the escape. His analysis centered on several key points, the unrealistic positioning required, the directional errors in weight distribution and the lack of real-world application at high levels.
“An out stretched post leg would give you LESS base of support under your body, not more, which is exactly where you need MORE base of support.”
Ryan argued that the positioning taught would actually decrease defensive effectiveness rather than enhance it. Ryan also questioned the practical application of reaching across to create the escape angle while maintaining proper structure.
“To flare your elbow out, far arm pit would never happen, and even it could get there, the peak would be impossible to hit anyway.”
In a video demonstration, Ryan walked through the position with a training partner, repeatedly showing how closing the elbows negates the escape attempt.
“From here, as I try to go in and peek out, if you take just closing his elbows down, you literally can’t do it.”
Jones responded to Ryan’s extensive critique with characteristic brevity, reposting Ryan’s analysis with the comment:
“Buddy wrote a thesis and he cant even count to 3.”
The quip referenced Ryan’s caption, which jumped from point two directly to point four.
“This move has never been used by the person teaching against anyone high level or any world champions.”
Ryan concluded his analysis with advice for practitioners:
“Learn from the best and the best only.”
He later posted another jab at Jones, writing:
“Learn from the guy making an instructional on a move that even during his peak, couldn’t counter the most basic defense to.”
Jones was quick to reply:
“Will somebody give the man a hug? Octopus Guard 2.0 has broken him beyond belief. I almost feel bad. The uke there is f—ing upset. He’s not going to be there. He’s breathing heavy. My man. Just say no. Get out of there. Please. This is so good. That’s the best grappler ever. Upset about the mechanics of the DVD.”
