# Nicky Ryan ("Nicky")

> Black Belt | United States

## Overview

**Name:** Nicky Ryan

**Nickname:** Nicky

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** United States

**Gender:** Male

**Weight:** 70 kg


## Bio

Nicky Ryan, born June 27, 2001, in New Jersey, United States, is a highly acclaimed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and a prominent figure in the no-gi grappling scene. Influenced by his older brother, Gordon Ryan, Nicky began his jiu-jitsu journey at age eight. After an initial period of sporadic training, he fully committed to the sport in 2015, quickly emerging as a prodigy under the guidance of coach John Danaher. His early adoption of advanced techniques, including heel hooks, allowed him to dominate adult tournaments at just 13 years old, rapidly building a reputation for his exceptional talent.

Ryan's competitive career saw a significant leap forward when he placed 3rd at the 2016 ADCC East Coast Trials at only 15 years old, a feat he repeated the following year. These performances earned him an invitation to the 2017 ADCC World Championships, where, at 16, he made history as the youngest athlete to ever compete in the prestigious event. He received his purple belt on June 21, 2017, brown belt on October 9, 2019, and was promoted to black belt on November 3, 2020, marking his official entry into the elite ranks of professional grappling.
## Gym Affiliations

- **B Team** (Austin, United States) — Instructor
- **Simple Man Martial Arts** (Austin, United States) — Head Instructor
## Links

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickyryanbjj/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nickyryanbjj/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/nickyryanbjj

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**Last Updated:** April 08, 2026

**Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/nicky-ryan-68ec4abe73b6)