Who’s Number One makes its 2023 debut tonight live from The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, with an unexpected rematch headlining the card.
Originally set to be a highly-anticipated rematch between Gordon Ryan and Felipe Pena, the main event will now be a rematch of the 2022 ADCC semifinal bout between Pena and Nicky Rod after illness forced Ryan out of the contest. Rodriguez won their previous match, but those around Pena are claiming that he has reached a newfound level of fitness, which could be a factor in the rematch. Originally set to be a heavyweight title match with no time limit, the bout will now have a 30-minute time limit with the belt not on the line.
In the co-main event, Pedro Marinho defends his light heavyweight belt against 2022 ADCC 88kg world champion Giancarlo Bodoni. The 2021 IBJJF World Champion Marinho won the belt last January in the main event against Craig Jones, while Bodoni made a successful promotional debut against Jay Rodriguez at the Who’s Next Finale.
The featured fight will feature 2017 and 2019 ADCC 77kg champion JT Torres facing the fast-rising fan favorite Magid Hage, while the ever-active Canadian standout Oliver Taza will battle the Atos BJJ-trained Jonnatas Gracie. The lone women’s bout on the card will see the daughter of legendary grappler and UFC veteran Vagner Rocha, Jasmine Rocha, go against another Atos BJJ black belt in Amanda Bruse. Finally, the main card will be kicked off by recent Who’s Next competitor Rene Sousa returning to the mat against Combat Jiu-Jitsu Worlds veteran Kieran Kichuk.
MMA Sucka has fight fans covered with WNO: Felipe Pena vs Nicky Rod results, with the preliminary card starting at 9pm ET/6pm PT on FloGrappling’s YouTube page, followed by the main card at 10pm ET/7pm PT on FloGrappling.
WNO: Felipe Pena vs Nicky Rod Results
Main Card
Felipe Pena def. Nicky Rod via Decision
Pedro Marinho def. Giancarlo Bodoni via Decision, defends WNO Light Heavyweight Championship
JT Torres def. Magid Hage via Decision
Jonnatas Gracie def. Oliver Taza via Decision
Jasmine Rocha def. Amanda Bruse via Submission (Smother Choke) at 14:31
Rene Sousa def. Kieran Kichuk via Submission (Kneebar) at 12:02
Preliminary Card
Stephen Martinez def. Calon Sabino via Decision
Dominic Mejia def. Thien Luu via Decision
