Bold claim: the Granby roll could be the hidden key to cracking the dominant Dagestani grappling game. That’s the central idea Gordon Ryan pushes in a recent discussion, where he explains how this high-risk move might help a fighter string together defenses and escapes against Islam Makhachev or Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Ryan, a longtime proponent of his own grappling toolkit, has kept up a relentless focus on facing Khabib and his successor, Makhachev, since his mentor stepped back from competition in 2020. In a new chat with Mike Perry, Ryan goes into granular detail about how the Granby roll can disrupt the flow of attacks that originate from Khabib’s team and other similarly styled rivals.
What is the Granby roll, and why might it matter here?
- The move involves dropping onto one shoulder, rolling across the upper back, and then returning to a kneeling or standing position to re-engage with the opponent.
- In practice, it aims to create space and threaten with transitions or leg attacks, all while shifting the battle away from the opponent’s favored positions.
Ryan’s argument rests on how opponents who rely on high-pressure control try to pin and elevate your hands. He describes a typical approach from Khabib’s camp: keep hands high behind your arms, transition into rear chest locks, and press your hands down to the mat so you’re burdened by their weight while they stay largely unscathed. The idea is to use a sequence of Granbys to rise or pivot away, then layer in submissions—like a leg lock—off those Granbys.
The article also touches the broader image of the sport evolving around these grappling-heavy bases from the region. Names like Makhachev and Chimaev are cited as examples of the enduring strength of this style, alongside up-and-coming talents who continue to push the envelope.
A few points worth noting:
- The Granby roll is common in grappling but is seen as riskier in high-stakes MMA due to the exposure it creates to strikes and position changes.
- Even with a well-explained plan, executing this technique under UFC-level pressure remains a challenge, as illustrated by a number of undefeated competitors in the Khabib/Makhachev orbit and their peers.
Thought-provoking takeaways:
- Is the Granby roll a universally viable counter to the Dagestani wrestling blueprint, or does its usefulness depend on the fighter’s overall grappling IQ and timing?
- Does the success of these methods hinge more on technique refinement or on broader strategic differences, such as pace control and tactical risk management?
If you’re curious about who leads the conversation on these matchups, many fans debate how Makhachev’s style compares to Khabib’s legendary era, and whether a two-weight champion record changes the evaluation of who’s “better.” And as this discussion evolves, it raises questions about how much legacy matters when new challengers bring fresh approaches to the table.
What’s your take? Do you think the Granby roll offers a credible path to beating elite Dagestani grapplers, or is it more of a high-variance tactic that only pays off in the right hands? Share your thoughts below and tell us which parts of Ryan’s strategy you find most compelling or questionable.
