picture of Mike Rakshan

Mike Rakshan is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitor and one of the 16 contestants on FloGrappling’s reality TV show, Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos. Born on August 2, 1987 and training out of Clifton, NJ, Rakshan is a purple belt under Garry Tonon and represents Renzo Gracie Academy. The founder and owner of Immortals Jiu-Jitsu, Rakshan is known as “the Sultan of Strangles.”

  1. By The Numbers: 50% Submission Rate At Tezos WNO In 2022

    By The Numbers: 50% Submission Rate At Tezos WNO In 2022

    Dec 30, 2022

    The 2022 season of Tezos WNO featured 40 matches of up and coming grapplers and established world champions. Out of 40 matches, 20 resulted in submissions, including a couple firsts in Tezos WNO history: a Z-lock by Jozef Chen and a camel crusher by “The Sultan of Strangles,” Mike Rakshan.
  2. Pros & Cons: What We Learned From The ADCC-Bound Athletes At The WNX Finale

    Pros & Cons: What We Learned From The ADCC-Bound Athletes At The WNX Finale

    Jul 20, 2022

    Among the roster of athletes who competed at Tezos WNO: Who’s Next Finale, there were four ADCC Trials Winners, two ADCC 2022 invitees, and one returning ADCC Champion.
  3. Gordon Ryan Wins WNO Belt And Izaak Michell Becomes Who's Next Champion

    Gordon Ryan Wins WNO Belt And Izaak Michell Becomes Who's Next Champion

    Jul 15, 2022

    The first ever season of Who's Next came to a culmination on Thursday night, and after a wild series of events Izaak Michell walked away with the $10,000 plus an additional 10,000 TEZ and the title of Who's Next Season One champion. Izaak and opponent Kyle Chambers went at it for over two hours, on two different mats, before Izaak was eventually able to secure an armbar finish after controlling the majority of the match.
  4. Live Updates & Results | Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale Presented By Fat Tire

    Live Updates & Results | Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale Presented By Fat Tire

    Jul 14, 2022

    The vacant Tezos WNO Heavyweight Title is up for grabs, and tonight, either Gordon Ryan or Pedro Marinho will take the belt home. 5-0 on WNO, Gordon Ryan hasn’t lost a match in nearly 50 bouts, and has become increasingly dominant at each turn on the mat. But his opponent, WNO Light Heavyweight Champion Pedro Marinho is looking to avenge a three-year old loss, and prove that he belongs in the conversation among the best in the world.
  5. Betting Lines Released | Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale Presented By Fat Tire

    Betting Lines Released | Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale Presented By Fat Tire

    Jul 8, 2022

    Online betting sites have released money lines for Tezos WNO: Who’s Next Finale presented by Fat Tire. The July 14 card is scheduled to feature five main card bouts as well as three undercard matchups. There are money lines for each, including straight up bets and juicy props. Check out the favorites, underdogs, over/unders, and more below.
  6. Full Card Released For The Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale

    Full Card Released For The Tezos WNO: Who's Next Finale

    Jun 27, 2022

    The season one final for Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos has been decided, and on Thursday, July 14, the two finalists will square off in the main event of Tezos WNO: Who’s Next Finale presented by Fat Tire.
  7. Kyle Chambers Is A Master Of Precision | Who's Next Ep. 4 Recap

    Kyle Chambers Is A Master Of Precision | Who's Next Ep. 4 Recap

    Jun 9, 2022

    The fourth episode of Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos started with chaos, but ended in a game of precision. That’s a skill Kyle Chambers has in bushels.
  8. Cowboy Andrew Tackett Takes Out Red Team's Giant | Who's Next Ep. 3 Recap

    Cowboy Andrew Tackett Takes Out Red Team's Giant | Who's Next Ep. 3 Recap

    May 26, 2022

    Andrew Tackett is fearless.
  9. Big Dan's Scheme Puts Izaak vs Adam First | Who's Next Ep. 2 Recap

    Big Dan's Scheme Puts Izaak vs Adam First | Who's Next Ep. 2 Recap

    May 25, 2022

    The second episode of Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos begins with a test of grip strength and strategy as the two teams square off in a king of the hill style arm wrestling tournament.
  10. Who's Moving On, Who's Going Home? | Who's Next Ep. 1 Recap

    Who's Moving On, Who's Going Home? | Who's Next Ep. 1 Recap

    May 19, 2022

    The premise is simple: 16 athletes have come to Austin, TX, for a grappling tournament. FloGrappling’s Who’s Next: Submission Fighter Challenge presented by Tezos has brought up-and-coming submission grapplers from across the world to compete for $10,000 and a three-fight contract on WNO.