Pedro Marinho to defend WNO title against ADCC champion Giancarlo Bodoni
Pedro Marinho will defend his Who’s Number One (WNO) light heavyweight title against 2022 ADCC champion Giancarlo Bodoni.
A match-up between two of the world’s best light heavyweight grapplers is set for February 25.
In the co-main event of WNO: Gordon Ryan vs. Felipe Pena, reigning WNO light heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho will put his belt on the line against 2022 ADCC world champion Giancarlo Bodoni. FloGrappling first reported the match.
The two were originally slated to square off at a WNO event in November, but injuries forced the postponement.
In October, shortly before their original match was postponed, Marinho told Grappling Insider that he had requested Bodoni as an opponent immediately after the New Wave Jiu-Jitsu representative captured gold in the 88 kg. division at the 2022 ADCC World Championships.
Watch that full interview below.
A 2021 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds double-gold medalist, Marinho captured the inaugural WNO light heavyweight title in January 2022 with a decision victory over Craig Jones. He continued to compete in both gi and no-gi competitions throughout the remainder of the year, and unsuccessfully challenged Gordon Ryan for the vacant WNO heavyweight title in July.
In September, the Gracie Barra athlete competed alongside Bodoni at the ADCC World Championships where he went 1-2, defeating Jay Rodriguez before losing to Vagner Rocha and, in the absolute division, Tye Ruotolo.
Bodoni was one of last year’s breakout stars. After winning the ADCC East Coast Trials in September 2021, he showed incredible progression and growth, particularly in the area of leg locks.
At the 2022 ADCC World Championships, Bodoni impressed with victories over returning champion Matheus Diniz and, in the final of his weight division, returning bronze medalist Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa. He would lose to his New Wave teammate Nicholas Meregali in the quarterfinals of the absolute division.
Marinho and Bodoni have faced each other twice before in competition, first as purple belts in the gi, and, most recently, as black belts in no-gi. Bodoni won the first match, but Marinho submitted Bodoni in their second encounter.
How to watch: WNO: Gordon Ryan vs. Felipe Pena takes place on Saturday, February 25 and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
