Tezos Who’s Number One (WNO) is set to return Thursday, May 18th in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where WNO 18 will present a gi contest for the first time in over three years.
The main event will feature the multi-time IBJJF World Champion Nicholas Merigali facing the WNO Light Heavyweight No-gi Champion, Pedro Marinoin a 15-minute match under WNO rules.
Fight fans and grappling fans can watch WNO 18 broadcast live Flo Grappling Starts at 7:45 PM ET / 4:45 PM PT.
Main Event – Meregali vs. Marinho
The 6-foot-6 Meregali is a two-time VG black belt world champion and is considered one of the best wrestlers in the world, particularly in the heavyweight division. Alemao, 30, has a black belt underneath Mario Reese. He is a three-time world champion in jigging, and his latest foray into the absolute division. He also placed third at ADCC 2022 in the men’s 99 kg.
Nicholas Merigalli (4-0) will welcome Jiu back to the WNO in his heavyweight bout against reigning Tezos WNO no-gi champion Pedro Marinho (2-1).https://t.co/nBdF9gW7Ce
– FloGrappling (FloGrappling) April 26, 2023
Marinho is a two-time world black belt champion and is the current WNO Light Heavyweight Champion. He has a 2-1 record in WNO competition, all of which have come in no-gi. He recently won the 2021 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, taking gold medals in the heavyweight and openweight categories. The 26-year-old earned his black belt under Ulpiano Malachias in 2021.
The match, which should be a fun clash of styles, will be contested under the WNO’s set of rules. There will be a 15-minute time limit and heel hooks are prohibited. The winner will be determined by the submission or decision of the judges.
The rest of the card
Former Bellator Middleweight Champion and Wrestling Phenomenon Raphael Lovato Jr will work against Sheikh Cruz in what will serve as the co-main event. Lovato, a multi-time ADCC veteran and 2022 bronze medalist, should have the support of the partisan crowd in his native Oklahoma City, looking to show he can still hang one of his little guns at 39.
Elsewhere on the Thursday card, Fat Alken He was appointed to take over Alex Enriquez At the No-Gi Worlds women’s flyweight rematch in December 2022. Jacob Koch He will also take over Isaac Michel At average weight, and Dante Lyon will face Rowan Alvarenga In a clash of styles, particularly in terms of how to hunt for first place and catch their order. Young cocky William Tackett WNO 18 main card will open against Francis Low In a battle between the top 10 players of La G.I.
There will also be a round of preliminary matches broadcast live and free on the FloGrappling YouTube channel prior to tonight’s event. Austin Orandi will take over Troy RussellAnd Davis Asari They will face Nick Heflin In a pair of no-gi matches for 15 minutes.
Tezos WNO 18 results
key card
Nicholas Merigali vs. Pedro Marino
Rafael Lovato Jr vs. Grand Cross
Tubby Alequin vs. Alex Enriquez
Jacob Koch vs. Isaac Michel
Dante Leon vs. Rowan Alvarenga
William Tackett vs. Francisco Low
The initial card
Austin Orandi vs Troy Russell
Davis Asari vs. Nick Heflin