Diego “Pato” Oliveira successfully defended his WNO lightweight title with a hard-fought decision victory over Keith Krikorian, while Roberto Jimenez made headlines with a lightning-fast 16-second flying armbar, already a top contender for Submission of the Year.
WNO 26 Full Results:
- Diego Pato def. Keith Krikorian via decision
- Roberto Jimenez def. Elder Cruz via flying armbar (0:16)
- Ryan Aitken def. Luccas Lira via decision
- Tainan Dalpra def. Rene Sousa via reverse katagatame (7:00)
- Ronaldo Junior def. Jay Rodriguez via decision
- Rafaela Guedes def. Paige Ivette via decision
- Michael Sainz def. Daniel Sathler via decision
- Zach Kaina def. Isaac Cordova via decision
- Victor Silverio def. Ian Butler via rear naked choke (2:56)
- Sarah Galvao def. Katie Carr via triangle armlock (5:46)
- Rana Willink def. Solange Van Doorn via outside heel hook (0:56)
- Icaro Moreno def. Christopher Sarkissian via rear naked choke (4:27)
Pato Dominates Krikorian, Calls Out Diogo Reis
In front of a passionate crowd in Costa Mesa, CA, Diego Pato secured a unanimous decision over Keith Krikorian to defend his lightweight title. The two-division WNO champion wasted no time, securing mount early in the match. Despite his aggressive pursuit of leg locks, Krikorian defended skillfully, becoming the first opponent to go the distance with Pato since WNO 10 in 2021.
Following his victory, Pato wasted no time calling for a rematch against Diogo Reis, offering to put his featherweight belt on the line against the reigning two-time ADCC champion and former WNO featherweight champ. With this win, Pato moves to 6-1 in WNO, including a 4-1 record in the lightweight division.
Jimenez’s Spectacular Flying Armbar Shocks Elder Cruz
One of the night’s most electrifying moments belonged to Roberto Jimenez, who secured a 16-second flying armbar against Elder Cruz—the second-fastest submission in WNO history. Jimenez also now holds the second-fastest armbar and the second-fastest submission in WNO’s light heavyweight division. Only Achilles Rocha holds faster records in all three categories.
With this standout performance, Jimenez is now a leading contender for a title shot against reigning WNO light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho.
Ryan Aitken Positions Himself for Title Shot
In his WNO debut, Ryan Aitken made a strong statement with a decision victory over Luccas Lira. Despite Lira gaining an early lead, Aitken turned the tide with relentless submission threats, eventually securing dominant top control.
Aitken has a strong claim for a title shot, having submitted Pedro Marinho at ADCC last August.
Tainan Dalpra Stays Unbeaten in WNO
Middleweight standout Tainan Dalpra maintained his flawless WNO record (4-0) with a submission victory over Rene Sousa via reverse katagatame at 7:00. Dalpra repeatedly attacked with the choke throughout the match, ultimately securing the finish on his third attempt.
While he continues to rise in the rankings, a title shot may have to wait, as his AOJ teammate Jonnatas Gracie currently holds the division’s belt.
Ronaldo Junior Edges Jay Rodriguez in His Return
After three years away from the WNO mats, Ronaldo Junior returned with a decision win over Jay Rodriguez. Rodriguez controlled much of the match with counter wrestling but lost momentum in the final minutes when Ronaldo swept to mount, hunting for a katagatame before transitioning to a back attack. Though Rodriguez escaped, Ronaldo’s dominant positioning sealed the win.
Guedes Back in the Win Column
Former WNO champion and reigning ADCC champion Rafaela Guedes returned to form with a decision victory over Paige Ivette. Guedes relentlessly attacked Ivette’s arms, legs, and neck, keeping her opponent on the defensive. Though Ivette displayed strong submission defense, she struggled to create her own offensive opportunities.
Michael Sainz Impresses in WNO Debut
In the opening main card bout, 18-year-old Michael Sainz made an impact in his WNO debut, securing a decision win over Daniel Sathler. Sainz set a grueling pace, using his wrestling and relentless pressure to overcome the seasoned Sathler.
Four Submissions in Five Prelims
The WNO prelims delivered action-packed finishes, with four of the five matches ending in submission:
- Icaro Moreno, competing in the first-ever WNO kids match, showcased high-level technique before securing a rear naked choke victory.
- Rana Willink, daughter of Jocko Willink, wasted no time in her debut, earning a 56-second outside heel hook victory over Solange Van Doorn.
- Sarah Galvao, daughter of Andre and Angelica Galvao, made a strong debut, submitting Katie Carr with a triangle armlock at 5:46.
- Victor Silverio, a longtime black belt, finished Ian Butler with a rear naked choke at 2:56.
- In the lone decision of the prelims, Zach Kaina defeated Isaac Cordova in a nine-minute leg lock shootout.
WNO 27 Announced: Kaynan Duarte vs. Nick Rodriguez
As WNO 26 concluded, FloGrappling announced the main event for WNO 27, set for April 18 in Round Rock, TX. 2024 CJI heavyweight champion Nick Rodriguez will face 2024 ADCC double gold champion Kaynan Duarte in a battle of elite heavyweights.
How To Buy Tickets for WNO 27
Tickets for WNO 27 are available for purchase on FloSports.
What is WNO?
WNO (Who’s Number One) is a premier no-gi grappling promotion known for high-paced, submission-heavy matches featuring world-class athletes and rising stars alike.
How To Live Stream WNO 27
STREAMING: Watch WNO 27 live on FloGrappling.
With thrilling submissions, dominant performances, and title implications, WNO 26 set the stage for an exciting year in grappling. Stay tuned for more updates leading into WNO 27!
