Here’s What You Need To Know About The Danaher Death Squad

It would be borderline impossible to name a group of martial artists generating more excitement in the modern martial arts scene than the association of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners known as the Danaher Death Squad. Named after their legendary coach John Danaher, this group of grapplers has proven through repetitive competition victories that their style of submission grappling is effective in both gi and no-gi grappling, as well as MMA. If you have any interest in becoming proficient in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu than it is imperative that you study the techniques these athletes have used to rise to the highest echelons of the sport.

Fortunately for you, John Danaher, Garry Tonon, Gordon Ryan and Nicky Ryan will be putting on the Danaher Death Squad 2019 Super Camp filled with a week of seminars and training sessions at Evolve MMA in Singapore from 13-18 May. Before you train with the Danaher Death Squad, however, make sure you read the backstory on each member of the Danaher Death Squad so that you can understand how each of these gentlemen rose to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu prominence and what you can learn from them.

The Danaher Death Squad 2019 World Super Camp will be SOLD OUT due to limited available slots, so make sure to CLICK HERE in order to get yours, now!

 

John Danaher



It is difficult to name an individual that has had more of an effect on the modern grappling scene than John Danaher. Though he has been a well-established figure in the martial arts world for quite some time, it wasn’t until his group of pupils known as the Danaher Death Squad started dominating the no-gi grappling scene that he became the celebrity he is today.

John Danaher has been coaching BJJ and MMA athletes in the infamous blue-basement of Renzo Gracie’s academy in New York City for quite some time, yet Mr. Danaher’s BJJ story is quite fascinating as it differs from the one we typically hear from practitioners of his stature. Having not discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu until later in his life, Danaher chose to pursue the coaching side of the sport, recognizing that it would be difficult to excel as a competitor. While it would be awesome to look back on footage of him competing back in the day, it is hard to argue that he didn’t make the correct choice. Under the tutelage of John Danaher, the “Danaher Death Squad” has become perhaps the most successful group of martial artists to ever be assembled.

 

Garry Tonon



While the Danaher Death Squad consists of multiple successful grapplers, it is without a doubt Garry Tonon who first brought the eyes of the BJJ community to the squad. Mr. Tonon earned his popularity by competing in, and largely dominating nearly every notable no-gi submission only tournament. Prior to Tonon’s rise to notoriety, the submission only format was rather rare and obscure, considered more of a sideshow to the larger point based competitions. By competing in events such as Metamoris, the Eddie Bravo Invitational, and a plethora of sub-only super fights, Garry Tonon rightfully earned his reputation as one of the most lethal submission artists on the planet while simultaneously creating the popularity of submission only that we know today.

As the majority of Garry Tonon’s victories in these competitions came by way of leg lock, particularly the heel hook, many espoused the idea that he was a one trick pony. We have since seen that nothing could be further from the truth. Determined to disprove this misconception, Tonon has shown that he posses the ability to attack all sorts of different arm, neck, and leg based submissions in his career as a submission grappler and mixed martial artist. Since moving from BJJ to MMA, Tonon has won all of his bouts in ONE Championship and looks to keep his streak alive as he squares off against Anthony Engelen at ONE: A New Era on March 31st.

 

Gordon Ryan



Hot on the heels of Garry Tonon’s rise to BJJ stardom is his former protege turned to peer Gordon Ryan. While Gordon Ryan first started making waves as “Garry Tonon’s student,” he has long since exceeded that monicker as he has acquired one of the most impressive lists of grappling accomplishments currently known. The first indication that the senior Ryan brother was an immensely skilled practitioner fated for success was when he submitted Keenan Cornelius in a no-time-limit submission only match back in 2016. Since that victory, Gordon Ryan’s skill set and list of victories have skyrocketed.

While the list of grapplers Gordon Ryan has bested in super fights is quite impressive, his most notable accomplishment is his outstanding performance at the 2017 ADCC World Championship. Not only did he win the -88kg division, but he took 2nd place in the absolute division, only losing in the finals to the legendary Felipe Pena. For a 22-year-old to achieve such a result at ADCC against the most skilled grapplers on the planet is an accomplishment of such stature that it is difficult to manifest into words. While he is still in the process of tearing up the Submission Grappling scene, Gordon Ryan has started discussing his intentions to move towards MMA. Seeing the John Danaher method of combat applied in the higher weight classes is something fight fans are eager to see, and Gordon Ryan appears to be the one who is going to provide it for them.

 

Nicky Ryan



Hot on the heels of his older brother, the Danaher Death Squad’s youngest member Nicky Ryan has seemingly usurped the “prodigy” monicker from all other martial artists. At a mere 17 years old Nicky’s Jiu-Jitsu skills have developed at a seemingly breakneck speed. With submission victories over Marvin Castelle, Ricky Lule, and a plethora of other competent grapplers, the younger Ryan quickly made it clear that he was certainly not just riding the coattails of his brother’s name.

His most recent accomplishment is his tear through ADCC trials, submitting all of his opponents en route to a gold medal and the 2019 ADCC Championship. As for whether or not he will be able to reproduce the success his brother had in the previous championship, only time will tell.

 

Now that you know the details behind each of the Danaher Death Squad’s rise to BJJ stardom, make sure you register for the Danaher Death Squad 2019 World Super Camp before space fills up! While the Danaher Death Squad has put out a plethora of digital content that is available to the larger public, getting to train with all of the members simultaneously at Evolve MMA in Singapore is a once in a lifetime opportunity that should not be missed.

If you haven’t signed up, go ahead and do so ­– the Danaher Death Squad 2019 World Super Camp is guaranteed to be sold out due to limited available spots! Grab your spot now!

So what will you get once you sign up for the Danaher Death Squad 2019 World Super Camp?
  • Exclusive access to daily training sessions taught by Legendary BJJ Coach John Danaher, the founder of the Danaher Death Squad, the most dominant team on the No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu scene today, and his superstar pupils BJJ World Champion Garry Tonon, BJJ World Champion Gordon Ryan, and BJJ Phenom Nicky Ryan. Training will be 2x daily from 9-11 am and 2-4 pm Monday through Friday, followed by an intensive 3-hour seminar on Saturday.
  • Unlimited access to martial arts classes at Asia’s top martial arts training organization, EVOLVE Vacation.
  • A complimentary CAT 3 ticket to the ONE Championship event in Singapore on 17 May 2019.
  • Special rates from our accommodation partners.
  • Complimentary rash guard.
  • Photo opportunities with the Danaher Death Squad, EVOLVE’s World Champions, and the EVOLVE Fight Team.
  • A group trip to the iconic Marina Bay Sands Skypark.

 SIGN UP FOR THE DANAHER DEATH SQUAD 2019 WORLD SUPER CAMP NOW!DDS

More in BJJ

Also On Evolve

Targeting The Body In MMA

Targeting The Body In MMA

Long a point of derision for MMA coaches and analysts out there, mixed martial artists just do not pay enough attention to bodywork. In an age where the spectacular is sought after by headhunters and…