Rene Sousa returns to the WNO stage for the second time in 2023 as the former "Who's Next" competitor prepares to take on Nicky Ryan, who is 3-1 in WNO action. Sousa faces Ryan at Tezos WNO 19: Meregali vs. Duarte on Aug. 10 in Austin, Texas at the Palmer Center. 

Sousa used a knee bar during his match against Kieran Kichuk to earn his first WNO win at Tezo WNO 17: Pena vs. Rodriguez. 

Now a black belt, Sousa is a former college wrestler from New Jersey.

Subscribe To FloGrappling To Watch Tezos WNO: Meregali vs. Durarte

Tezos WNO 19: Meregali vs Duarte Betting Lines: See Who's Favored

Meet Carlos Henrique: The Dream Art Star Ready To Shine At WNO 19

The match is part of the main card that also features several big names, include Felipe Pena among others. The undercard is also intriguing as it features exciting young athletes like Helena Crevar.

 The co-main events include 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 18 event in May, but now faces Duarte, the 2022 ADCC World Champion in the -99kg division. Duarte won gold in the super-heavyweight division at the 2023 IBJJF European Championships.

Here's what to know about Rene Sousa as he faces Nicky Ryan. 

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

Rene Sousa Was FloGrappling's Show 'Who's Next'

Rene Sousa is one of two athletes on the card who was featured on FloGrappling's reality show 'Who's Next." 

He and Andrew Tackett were on the show and the two met in the "Who's Next Finale." Tacket used a rear-naked choke to win by submission. 

His opponent, Nicky Ryan, was one of the assistant coaches on team Craig Jones, the team for which Rene Sousa competed.

Rene Sousa Trains At 10th Planet

Sousa represents 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, which has several competitors on the WNO 19 card. Sousa's training home is 10th Planet Bethlehem, Pa. 

When Was Rene Sousa Promoted To BJJ Black Belt?

Sousa earned his Black Belt shortly after his win over Kichuk at WNO 18. After he submitted Kichuk, his head coach, Zach Maslany, promoted him to Black Belt. 

He posted on his Instagram: 

"Thank you for everyone that has been a part of my journey, I look forward to representing myself and you all to a new level on and off the mats."

Watch Rene Sousa vs. Kieran Kichuk at WNO 18

Here's the match that led to Rene Sousa's Black Belt promotion: 

Unlock this video, live events, and more with a subscription!

Sign Up

Already a subscriber? Log In

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. Durate will stream on FloGrappling and the FloSports app. 

Replays of the matches will be available on both platforms.