Video: Get Hyped for Gordon Ryan vs. Vagner Rocha With The Road to Who’s Number One

On March 26, the best pound-for-pound no-gi grappler on the planet will once again put that reputation on the line. In the main event of Who’s Number One, Gordon Ryan will face Vagner Rocha in a thirty-minute submission-only match. In advance of that event, Flo Grappling has released “The Road to Who’s Number One,” which explores the Ryan vs. Rocha match from all angles.

Ryan has never been one to shy away from boisterous trash talk, and this is no different. Despite Ryan’s size advantage over Rocha, the match-up is interesting due to the mental warfare that will no-doubt take place. As both Ryan and his coach John Danaher reference in the video, Rocha is known for his “combative” style of grappling that tends to frustrate and distract his opponents. Will Ryan, who has been unbeaten since 2018 and nothing short of dominant in his recent bouts, fall prey to Rocha’s approach?

The two have met twice before. In their first match in 2016, they fought to a draw in a 20-minute submission-only match. A year later at the Eddie Bravo Invitational, Ryan submitted Rocha with a rear-naked choke.

Although Ryan will certainly be the favorite, Rocha shouldn’t be counted out. The Fight Sports Miami representative has been on a tear lately, defeating Gabriel Almeida, Ronaldo Junior, Jon Blank, and ADCC champion Yuri Simoes. And beyond Rocha’s trademark mental warfare, he is an excellent back taker and finisher from the back with elite skills in all areas.

Who’s Number One takes place on March 26 and will air exclusively on Flo Grappling.

Ben Coate

Ben has been involved with grappling, whether through wrestling or Brazilian jiu-jitsu, essentially his entire life. After wrestling throughout his childhood, Ben found Brazilian jiu-jitsu as a young adult and quickly fell in love. He has been training for over ten years and currently holds the rank of brown belt, and remains involved in both the MMA and BJJ scene. Ben has been writing about combat sports since 2017. He has interviewed and profiled some of MMA's biggest stars, including multiple UFC champions.

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