After weeks and months of preparation and anticipation of WNO 26 since the 25th edition of the promotion in early December, it's almost time to watch another event of high action featuring the best in the world. 

• Subscribe To FloGrappling To Watch WNO 26
• Diego Pato To Defend 155lb Championship Against Keith Krikorian At WNO 26
• Jay Rodriguez & Ronaldo Junior To Meet In WNO 26 Action

For any fans of submission grappling in the Southern California area, tickets are available now - don't miss your chance to catch another historic WNO with matches sure to deliver fireworks.

The biggest match on the card is the main event between Diego Pato and Keith Krikorian, 

Ahead of the event let's look at the five things to know about Keith Krikorian.

1. Krikorian Is Known For His RNC And Inside Heel Hook

• 23 out of the 39 submission wins that Krikorian owns have come from his rear naked choke and inside heel hook.
• Whenever he pulls those two moves out, results have shown that opponents nearly haven't stood a chance, leading to him having a pretty successful career thus far.
• With the biggest fight of his career to this point, look out for Krikorian to attempt either of these moves to pick up the win and take home the WNO Lightweight Championship.

2. He Made A Name For Himself At The ADCC Trials

• In his early years of competing in the professional circuit, Keith started gaining traction when he earned two second-place finishes during the ADCC EC Trials in 2018 and 2019.
• Due to his great performances, Krikorian was invited to the 2019 ADCC World Championships and eventually earned a black belt rank.
• Three years later, he won first place in the ADCC World Championships Trials, which added another impressive feat to his resumé.

3. Both WNO Appearances Has Gone The Distance

• Throughout his career, Krikorian has only participated in the Who's Number One promotion twice and owns a 1-1 record.
• Both matches went to a referee decision, winning over Gabriel Sousa and losing to Diogo Reis.
• Knowing the type of grapplers Kirhorian and Pato are is another referee's decision.

 4. Expect Krikorian To Come Into This Matches With Something To Prove

• Considering Krikorian embraces being the underdog coming into the matchup against double champion Pato, there should be no doubt that he will approach the match with a must-win mentality.
• In the only head-to-head matchup between the two, Keith would lose after tapping out to Pato's straight ankle lock in the 2022 ADCC World Championship after Krikorian placed first in the trials.
• Both have improved since their last meeting. Krikorian will still consider this as he prepares for the rematch on Feb. 7.

5. Kieth Krikorian Trained Under Richie "Boogeyman" Martinez

• As great a grappler Krikorian is, he didn't do it alone. Black belt and top representative of the 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Richie Martinez, played a major role in his development.
• Martinez has been in jiu-jitsu for over ten years and has earned his reputation as one of the best instructors for young grapplers to reach their full potential.
• Under Martinez, Keith Krikorian earned his purple, brown, and black belts, eventually becoming one of the best at only 27 years old.

WNO 26 Full Card

• WNO Lightweight Championship - Diego Pato vs Keith Krikorian
• Middleweight Bout - Jay Rodriguez vs Ronaldo Junior
• Light Heavyweight Bout - Roberto Jimenez vs Elder Cruz
• Light Heavyweight Bout - Ryan Aitken vs Luccas Lira
• Middleweight Bout - Tainan Dalpra vs Rene Sousa
• Women's Heavyweight Bout - Rafaella Guedes vs Paige Ivette
• Welterweight Bout - Daniel Sathler vs Michael Sainz

Here Are 10 Of The Fastest Submissions In WNO History

WNO 26 Card Grapplers Record At WNO

• Diego Pato: 5-1
• Keith Kirkorian: 1-2
• Jay Rodriguez: 0-4
• Ronaldo Junior: 0 -2
• Roberto Jimenez: 1-4
• Elder Cruz: 1-2
• Ryan Aitken: N/A
• Luccas Lira: 1-0
• Tainan Dalpra: 3-0
• Rene Sousa: 1-1
• Rafaela Guedes: 4-2
• Paige Ivette: N/A
• Daniel Sathler: 1-2
• Michael Sainz: N/A

ADCC Finalist/Champions Competing At WNO 26

• Jay Rodriguez
• Diego Pato
• Rafaela Guedes

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