WNO 23: Nicholas Meregali vs. Vagner Rocha full card lineup and preview
Check out the full card lineup and preview for WNO 23 Meregali vs Rocha, set for Friday, May 10 in Arlington, Texas.
FloGrappling is back with another edition of Who’s Number One (WNO) this Friday, May 10. BJJ legends Nicholas Meregali and Vagner Rocha will collide for the first time in the evening’s main event. The co-main event features young phenom Andrew Tackett taking on Tommy Langaker. The rest of the card is littered with intriguing bouts from top to bottom.
WNO 23: Meregali vs Rocha Full Card
- Heavyweight Bout – Nicholas Meregali vs Vagner Rocha
- Welterweight Bout – Andrew Tackett vs Tommy Langaker
- Heavyweight Bout – Felipe Pena vs Rafael Lovato, Jr
- Welterweight Bout – JT Torres vs Nicky Ryan
- Bantamweight Bout – Jasmine Rocha vs Emily Ferreira
- Featherweight Bout – Diogo Reis vs Shay Montague
- Undercard Bout – Achilles Rocha vs Camron Couch
- Undercard Bout – Cassia Moura vs Jessie Crane
- Undercard Bout – Luccas Lira vs Husan Alabed
- Undercard Bout – Evan Leve vs Marlon Tanaka
Nicholas Meregali vs. Vagner Rocha
After reaching the pinnacle of gi jiu-jitsu, Nicholas Meregali has set his aim on the top spot in no-gi as well. In a short period of time, he has become one of the top no-gi practitioners in the world. The New Wave product won medals in his weight class and the absolute division at the 2022 ADCC World Championships and has been on an absolute tear since making the transition to no-gi competition. He is on a 15-match win streak, 12 via submission.
Meregali opened his 2024 campaign with a submission victory over ADCC champion Matheus Diniz. Meregali is known for pushing a blistering pace while hunting for submissions.
There are few competitors on the scene with the type of experience Vagner Rocha brings to the mats. Rocha is a multiple-time ADCC world medalist and ADCC Trials champion who recently defeated Meregali’s New Wave teammate, Luke Griffith.
Vagner Rocha often pushes the boundaries of what is legal in a jiu-jitsu match. Any time he steps on the mat he is looking for a fight. Meregali will be happy to oblige. Expect to see a high-paced battle on the feet with a lot of hard collar ties and foot sweep attempts.
Andrew Tackett vs. Tommy Langaker
One of, if not the most exciting athletes in the sport today, Andrew Tackett makes his return to the WNO stage. Fresh off an insane run through ADCC West Coast Trials that saw him rack up four submission victories, Tackett looks to keep the ball rolling in 2024. An offensive dynamo, the Checkmat product pushes a blistering pace while chasing submissions. He is excellent at taking the back and finishing from there.
Across the mat is fellow ADCC trials champion, Tommy Langaker. Langaker, who won the ADCC European trials earlier this year is also a 2023 IBJJF no-gi world champion. The Norweigan grappler is known for aggressive back-takes himself.
Langaker has an extremely advanced guard. It will be fascinating to see how he deals with the relentless guard passing style Tackett deploys.
Felipe Pena vs. Rafael Lovato Jr.
Felipe Pena and Rafael Lovato Jr. have won at the highest levels throughout their careers both in the gi and no-gi. They are set to face off for the second time at WNO 23. Pena defeated Lovato at the 2017 ADCC Championships by decision.
Pena, a multiple time IBJJF world champion and the 2017 ADCC absolute champion is as crafty as they come. He is known for having a tricky open guard with aggressive back attacks. Pena submitted Haisam Rida via rear naked choke at WNO 19.
The legend, Rafael Lovato Jr., has transitioned back to submission grappling full time after a successful run in MMA that saw him become a world champion. He has picked up notable wins over Elder Cruz and Ricardo Evangelista since returning. Lovato is a Gi and no-gi world champion.
2017 was a long time ago so it will be interesting to see how both legends games have evolved since their first meeting.
JT Torres vs. Nicky Ryan
Two of the sport’s most recognizable figures, JT Torres and Nicky Ryan are set to clash in a welterweight bout at WNO 23. This will be the first meeting between the two grappling stars.
JT Torres is a two-time ADCC world champion and one of the best competitors of this generation. Torres is a technical wizard who blends a strong wrestling game with silky-smooth passing. He returns to WNO for the first time since defeating Magid Hodge via decision.
Young phenom Nicky Ryan has really made an effort to round out the rest of his game in recent years. Adding to a dynamic leg lock game, he has become a very proficient passer with excellent back takes.
Excellent wrestling and guard passing highlight what should be an intriguing battle. Fans are in for a treat with this match as it has the potential to steal the show.
A family affair
The Rocha family is invading Arlington, TX on May 10 as brother/sister duo Jasmine and Achilles Rocha join their father on this card.
Fresh off winning the ADCC West Coast Trials Jasmine takes on Emily Ferreira in a bantamweight bout while her brother Achilles takes on Camron Couch on the undercard. Like their father, the Rocha young guns are aggressive finishers.
The rest of the card at WNO 23
Rounding out the main card, Diogo Reis looks to bounce back from losing his WNO Championship by injury as he takes on Scottish grappling star Shay Montague. Montague has the chance to take out one of grappling’s elite talents in his WNO debut.
WNO qualifier winner Evan Leve opens up the undercard as he takes on Marlon Tanaka. Colored belt world champions collide as Cassia Moura takes on Jessie Crane.
How to watch: WNO: Meregali vs. Rocha takes place on Friday, May 10, and will air live on FloGrappling beginning at 8:00 PM ET. The undercard will air on FloGrappling’s YouTube channel for free, and the main card will air exclusively on FloGrappling (subscription required).
