Andrew Tackett replaces Mica Galvao, will face Tommy Langaker at WNO 23
ADCC Trials winner Andrew Tackett will replace Mica Galvao to take on Tommy Langaker at WNO 23 on May 10 in Arlington, Texas.
The next Who’s Number One (WNO) card has seen a shake-up.
Current WNO welterweight champion Mica Galvao has withdrawn from his scheduled title defense against Tommy Langaker at WNO 23 and has been replaced by recent ADCC West Coast Trials winner Andrew Tackett.
The event is slated to go down in Arlington, Texas on Friday, May 10.
Just a little over a year into his black belt career, Tackett is one of the sport’s most entertaining athletes and fastest-rising stars.
The 20-year-old will come into this contest following his gold medal run at the ADCC West Coast Trials that saw him take out top names like Kyle Chambers, Andy Varela, and, in the final, ADCC veteran Oliver Taza.
Notably, Tackett was previously set to take on Galvao in the final of the WNO welterweight grand prix last year at WNO 20: Night of Champions after defeating PJ Barch in the tournament’s semifinal. However, Tackett was forced to withdraw due to injury.
A 2023 IBJJF no-gi world champion, Langaker is one of the best welterweight competitors on the planet.
After a successful career in the gi that saw him claim an IBJJF European title, the Norwegian switched to no-gi in 2022 and found immediate success, winning gold at the ADCC European Trials. Despite a first-round exit from the 2022 ADCC World Championships, he has picked up a number of notable wins, including victories over the likes of IBJJF no-gi world champion Renato Canuto and ADCC veterans Oliver Taza and Mateusz Szczinski.
The matchup between Tackett and Langaker will present an intriguing clash of styles. Tackett is a buzzsaw of activity, constantly pushing the pace and attacking from all positions. He tends to do his best work from the top position where he is an excellent guard passer and even better back-taker.
For his part, Langaker is an open guard specialist with some of the sport’s best berimbolos and k-guard entries. Like Tackett, the vast majority of Langaker’s attacks are aimed at taking the back, where he is an elite finisher.
Check out the rest of the card below.
WNO 23 main card lineup
- Nicholas Meregali vs. Vagner Rocha
- Andrew Tackett vs. Tommy Langaker
- Felipe Pena vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
- JT Torres vs. Nicky Ryan
- Jasmine Rocha vs. Emily Ferreira
- Diogo Reis vs. Shay Montague
