Nick Rodriguez vs. Victor Hugo set to headline WNO 22
A pivotal heavyweight tilt between Nick Rodriguez and Victor Hugo will serve as the main event for WNO 22 on February 9.
The full main card for Who’s Number One (WNO) 22 on February 9 has been released, and the card will feature a headlining match between top heavyweights Nick Rodriguez and Victor Hugo.
Set to go down in Costa Mesa, California, the event will also see three WNO championship matches, the return of ADCC East Coast Trials champion Jacob Couch, and the second no-gi appearance of multiple-time gi world champion Tainan Dalpra.
Nick Rodriguez vs. Victor Hugo
The B-Team’s Rodriguez is a two-time ADCC silver medalist and is widely regarded as one of the top two or three heavyweight grapplers in the sport. With his top-tier wrestling, elite guard passing, and impressive physicality, he has proven to be a difficult puzzle to solve for some of BJJ’s most accomplished competitors.
The New Jersey native comes into the contest riding a wave of momentum. In his most recent outing, he dominated reigning ADCC absolute champion Yuri Simoes at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational.
Hugo, meanwhile, is one of the most decorated active heavyweight grapplers. He is an IBJJF gi and no-gi world champion and will come into the match following a submission victory over “Big” Dan Manasoiu at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational.
The Brazilian will pose an interesting stylistic challenge for Rodriguez. Despite his considerable size, Hugo grapples like a much lighter athlete, employing a flexible and dynamic guard rarely seen at this weight class.
Like all other WNO matchups, this contest will be one, 15-minute, submission-only round with a panel of judges in the event no submission occurs.
Full WNO 22 line-up
- Nick Rodriguez vs. Victor Hugo (heavyweight)
- Mica Galvao vs. Kenta Iwamoto (WNO welterweight title)
- Ffion Davies vs. Amanda Alequin (WNO flyweight title)
- Dante Leon vs. Diego “Pato” Oliveira (WNO lightweight title)
- Jacob Couch vs. Sebastian Rodriguez (middleweight)
- Tainan Dalpra vs. Oliver Taza (middleweight)
How to watch: WNO 22: Nick Rodriguez vs. Victor Hugo takes place on Friday, February 9, and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
