Flograppling is getting ready to host one of their biggest Who’s Number One shows yet. On February 9th in Costa Mesa, grappling fans will be treated to an absolute spoiling of incredible matches and athletes. Noticeably absent from the card is the man who has been the main attraction for Flo in recent months and years is Gordon Ryan, Ryan recently announced he would be stepping away from non-ADCC competition to focus on his health. The absence of Ryan could be a bigger problem for Flograppling down the line, but for now the promotion has done a fantastic job of shedding the notion of being dependent on the Danaher disciple, putting on a truly exceptional card to start their year.
The main card of the event will feature 3 WNO title matches as well as three feature bouts. This is a star studded event. Here are each of the matches going down on next weekends main card:
Tainan Dalpra vs Oliver Taza:
Dalpra makes his second appearance on WNO, also marking his second no gi super fight as well. Dalpra will see a sizeable step up in competition when he goes up against Oliver Taza. Taza has too many accolades to list here and is one of the more seasoned no gi competitors Dalpra could face. The New Wave product Taza will surely attempt to used an apparent advantage in the leg lock game to attack Dalpra. Regardless of the outcome this is sure to be an exciting match.
Jacob Couch vs Sebastian Rodriguez:
Here we have a showdown between the 2023 ADCC East Coast trials 88kg champion and a former no gi black belt world champion. “The Hillbilly Hammer” Jacob Couch makes his return to the WNO stage after an all time run at the east coast trials, Couch will try to continue his submission streak against a game competitor in Rodriguez, who fell short of securing his spot at ADCC world championships and looks to punch his ticket with a victory in Costa Mesa.
Mica Galvao vs Kenta Iwamoto:
In a match that was supposed to feature Mica Galvao vs Nicky Ryan, it is Ryan’s B-Team teammate that will step in to challenge for Galvao’s 170lb championship. Mica is at the absolute top of his game, the only thing that could be better is the matchmaking. After winning the belt in a one-night tournament that saw the brazilian phenom take on Jay Rodriguez and PJ Barch, the matchmaking on Galvao’s last two appearances has been underwhelming to say the least. Thankfully Galvao and Iwamoto are competitors known to put on a show, this match is a sure contender for match of the night.
Ffion Davies vs Amanda Alequin:
Amanda Alequin returns to the WNO stage to challenge for Ffion’s 125lb title. Davies last defended the title in dominant fashion in her last outing and looks to repeat that success against Alequin. Davies has been on quite the roll as of late, coming off a superfight win at ADXC and a double gold performance at no gi worlds in December, Ffion will look to further cement her spot as the top woman in the sport with another defense of her title.
Dante Leon vs Diego Pato:
In a match that should probably main event this card, Diego “Pato” Olivera looks to achieve double-champ status by moving up and taking on Dante Leon for his 155lb strap. Though they are one weight class apart, this is a big leap for Pato, not only Leon the Who’s Number One lightweight champion but the number two pound-for-pound grappler in the world. Leon has made a point to be incredibly active competing over a variety of rule sets and weight classes as he marches towards a number one pound-for-pound ranking. If Pato manages to knock off the canadian jiujitsu star this would elevate him into a new stratosphere. With and exciting clash of styles between two grapplers who were considered for “Grappler of the Year'' from Flograppling this may be one of the best exhibitions of jiujitsu we see all year.
Nick Rodriguez vs Victor Hugo:
Rodriguez makes his black belt debut against reigning double gold world champion Victor Hugo. This is a match that will play a huge roll in the future of Flo as a hole. With their current heavyweight champion indefinitely sidelined, the winner of this match will put themselves in prime position to potentially become the new face of the sport. Hugo and Rodriguez have faced each other once before where Hugo was able to come out on top via decision. Both men have improved leaps and bounds since their first meeting and will look to prove why they’re at the top of the food chain.