BJJ Fans Should Watch WNO 27: Who's The Next Heavyweight Contender?
BJJ Fans Should Watch WNO 27: Who's The Next Heavyweight Contender?
Watch WNO 27 live April 18, featuring two massive heavyweight showdowns including Kaynan Duarte vs. Nick Rodriguez. Here's why you shouldn't miss it.
WNO 27, taking place on April 18, at the Kalahari Resorts Convention Center, promises to deliver a night full of world-class submission grappling.
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- WNO 27 Full Card. Here's The Lineup For Who's Number One
With a main event many are calling "the biggest match in WNO history," Kaynan Duarte vs. Nick Rodriguez headlines an unforgettable night.
These two grapplers were the champions of last year’s biggest tournaments—the ADCC World Championships and the Craig Jones Invitational—and now, they’re set to face off.
As FloGrappling expert Joe Gilpin notes, “All the best guys went to one of those two tournaments, and these are the two who came out on top.”
But the co-main events are about more than just bragging rights.
These matches could help determine the next top contender for the heavyweight belt.
How To Watch WNO 27
WNO 27 will be streamed on FloGrappling and the FloSports app.
Match replays, highlights and breaking news will be on both platforms.
Kaynan Duarte Vs. Nick Rodriguez: Heavyweight Hierarchy Shift
This will be the third encounter between Kaynan Duarte and Nick Rodriguez, and there’s no shortage of drama. Their first two meetings came in the 2019 ADCC World Finals, where Duarte submitted Rodriguez twice, a testament to his dominant style at the time.
However, Nick Rodriguez has undergone a dramatic transformation since then. The UFC Fight Pass Invitational headliner’s improvement is undeniable, making this rematch a fresh, high-stakes bout.
According to Gilpin, “Nick needs this win to maintain the momentum he built by winning CJI last year.”
The fight holds particular weight, as Duarte’s first-place finish at ADCC and Rodriguez’s rise through the ranks have set the stage for a matchup with serious title implications.
“This is being called the biggest main event, the biggest fight, the biggest match in WNO history — and for good reason.”
Luke Griffith Vs. Victor Hugo: Ascendant Heavyweights
The co-main event features two young, exciting heavyweights, Luke Griffith and Victor Hugo, who both have recent submission victories over the main event competitors.
"It’s between two very exciting, young, up-and-coming heavyweights: Luke Griffith and Victor Hugo... both of these guys have recent submission wins over the main-eventers—Luke submitted Kaynan, and Victor submitted Nicky," says Gilpin.
However, both have faced setbacks. Hugo is still recovering from health issues after a tough performance at the CJI, while Griffith, after an impressive ADCC silver medal, has shed weight to improve his speed and conditioning.
These two heavyweights are in prime position to become the next top contender for the title.
“If either Victor or Luke comes out and submits the other, they’ll be in an amazing spot to challenge for that belt by year’s end.”
Elisabeth Clay Vs. Helena Crevar: Leg Lock Title Fight
The lone title fight of the night sees reigning WNO Women's Featherweight Champion, Elisabeth Clay, face rising star Helena Crevar.
Crevar, an exciting 18-year-old grappler, is making her WNO title debut and brings a fresh, technical approach to the match.
But standing in her way is Lis Clay, who claimed the IBJJF No-Gi World title just months after welcoming her first child.
Both women are renowned for their leg lock game, and their encounter is being billed as “the greatest women’s leg lock battle ever.”
"We’ve never seen two women at this level of leg lock proficiency meet like this."
With history between them—Clay previously submitted Crevar at the ADCC Trials—this match promises high-paced, submission-hunting warfare.
Andrew Tackett Vs. Fabyury Khrysthyan: Chaotic Good
Midway through the main card, two of the sport’s most relentless grapplers square off as Andrew Tackett takes on Fabyury Khrysthyan.
Tackett, fresh off a hard-fought battle with Kade Ruotolo at the Craig Jones Invitational, is now ranked number three in the world, while Khrysthyan has had his own remarkable run, taking gold at the No-Gi European Championships.
“These two were in my favorite fights of 2024,” says Gilpin. “Both of these guys fight to excite.”
These two don’t play it safe. Their fights are all flash, fury, and finish—the kind of chaos BJJ fans live for.
“They’d rather lose in a wild war than win in a boring match. That’s their mentality.”
Owen Jones Vs. Julian Espinosa: Fire & Brimstone
Owen Jones, the 2024 Breakthrough Grappler of the Year, faces Julian Espinosa in a matchup that could steal the show.
Jones, known for his wild, brash style and strong personality, impressed fans with a surprise Final Four run at ADCC Worlds.
Espinosa, who came up just short in both the IBJJF No-Gi Pan and World Finals last year, is looking to prove himself as a rising star in the lightweight division.
“This one has Fight of the Night written all over it,” says Gilpin, "I believe it’s opening the main card, and it’s going to be fire."
Xande Ribeiro Vs. Richie Martinez: Old School, New School
The legendary Xande Ribeiro makes his WNO debut against the unorthodox Richie Martinez in a battle of styles.
Ribeiro, one of the greatest jiu-jitsu athletes of all time, is known for his traditional, disciplined approach. Martinez, on the other hand, is a 10th Planet black belt who thrives on flexibility, creativity, and counterculture techniques.
“Xande comes from that shogun-sensei mindset… Richie’s the exact opposite.”
Gilpin highlights, "Old school vs. new school, though both have been in the game forever. I think it’s brilliant matchmaking."
The mastery of Ribeiro faces the creative ingenuity of Martinez in a battle that captures the kind of stylistic range you’ll only find at WNO.
WNO 27 Full Card
Here’s the complete lineup for WNO 27:
Main Card
- Heavyweight Bout - Kaynan Duarte vs. Nick Rodriguez
- Heavyweight Bout - Luke Griffith vs. Victor Hugo
- Women's Featherweight Championship - Elisabeth Clay vs. Helena Crevar
- Welterweight Bout - Andrew Tackett vs. Fabyury Khrysthyan
- Lightweight Bout - Owen Jones vs. Julian Espinosa
- Light-Heavyweight Bout - Xande Ribeiro vs. Richie Martinez
Undercard
- Chris Wojcik vs. Michael Esquivel II
- Alan Magendzo vs. Colin Carr
- Taylor Hishaw vs. Trinity Pun
- Ben Eddy vs. Josh Wyland
WNO 27 Tickets Available Now
For those in the Austin area, tickets for WNO 27 are available now.
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