Troy Russell is back at Tezos WNO and looking to build off an impressive win at WNO 18. 

Russell and 20-year-old Andrew Tackett will kickoff the main card at Tezos WNO: Meregali vs Duarte at the Palmer Center in Austin, Texas. 

"Winning on a stage like Who's Number One can change your entire career. It’s given validation to what I do," Russell told FloGrappling in a recent Q&A. "It's caused people to be more interested in what I'm doing and what I'm teaching. It's opened a lot of doors, specifically, for the next match, which is–again–the biggest opportunity of my career. A win on a stage of this magnitude is, I think, every grappler's dream, you know, it's something that shouldn't be taken lightly and that I definitely have not taken lightly." 

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Andrew Tackett & Troy Russell To Kick Off Main Card At Tezos WNO 19

Russell enters WNO 19 looking for more success as he competes against Tackett, one of the rising stars in the sports. 

Their match is part of a loaded main card that features several big names like Felpe Pena and Nicky Ryan. 

The co-main events feature Nicholas Meregali and Kaynan Duarte in a heavyweight bout as well as WNO champion Ffion Davies in a title bout with Jasmine Rocha.  

Meregali made quick work of Pedro Marinho in the last WNO event in May, but now faces Duarte, the 2022 ADCC World Champion in the light heavyweight division. Duarte won gold in the super-heavyweight division at the 2023 IBJJF European Championships.

Here's what to know about Troy Russell. 

Troy Russell Trains With Rafael Lovato Jr. 

Russell trains with Rafael Lovato Jr, who gave him his black belt. 

"I was able to see Rafael’s schedule, his discipline, the way that he carried himself," Russell told FloSports. "We got to speak a little bit, and I was invited to come try the training room there."

Lovato gave Russell his Black Belt in October of 2022. 

Tickets are on sale now to watch Tezos WNO 19: Meregali vs Duarte presented live by Fat Tire!

Troy Russell Won At WNO 18 Using Heel Hook Submission

Russell's breakout moment came when he put Austin Orandy in a heel hook submission at WNO 18. 

Take a look: 

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Troy Russell vs. William Tackett

Russell has faced Andrew Tackett's brother William in a bout before. In 2020, the two met at Right to Win 141.

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The match was for the brown belt middleweight title. William Tackett won the match. 

WNO: Meregali vs. Duarte Full Card

• Main Event: Nicholas Meregali vs Kaynan Duarte | Heavyweight bout
• Co-Main Event: Ffion Davies (c) vs Jasmine Rocha | Flyweight title bout

Main Card:

• Dante Leon vs Ethan Crelinsten | Lightweight title bout
• Felipe Pena vs Haisam Rida | Heavyweight bout
• Nicky Ryan vs Rene Sousa | Welterweight bout
• Andrew Tackett vs Troy Russell | Welterweight Bout

Undercard:

• Sebastian Rodriguez vs  Oliver Taza | Middleweight bout
• Ben Eddy vs Carlos Henrique | Featherweight bout
• Helena Crevar vs Healy Dayan | Featherweight bout
• Achilles Rocha vs JB Bechtloff | Middleweight bout

How To Watch WNO: Nicholas Meregali vs. Kanyan Durate On FloGrappling

The next Tezos WNO event is Aug. 10 in Austin, Texas at the Palmer Events Center. 

The co-main event of Nicholas Meregali vs. Kanan Durate is a no-gi match. The card also includes Felipe Pena, Nicky Ryan and more. Tezos WNO: Meregali vs. Duarte will stream on FloGrappling and the FloSports app. 

Replays of the matches will be available on both platforms.