WNO: Gordon Ryan vs. Jacob Couch full card line-up and preview
Who’s Number One (WNO) returns to action on Friday, March 25 with a card headlined by the reigning ADCC absolute champion Gordon Ryan taking on Daisy Fresh’s homegrown product, Jacob Couch. And lower on the card, 18-year old phenom Mica Galvao takes on Dante Leon, Nicholas Meregali makes his much-anticipated no-gi debut, and Gabriel Sousa and Keith Krikorian will square off in a match that is likely to produce fireworks.
View the current WNO full card line-up below.
Main card
- Gordon Ryan vs. Jacob Couch
- Dante Leon vs. Mica Galvao
- Nicolas Meregali vs. Arnaldo Maidana
- Haisam Rida vs. Elder Cruz
- Gabriel Sousa vs. Keith Krikorian
Preliminary card
- Jessica Crane vs. Sophia Cassella
- Joe Dierkhising vs. Luke Griffith
- Benji Silva vs. David Garmo
In the main event, Ryan is heavily favored over Couch, and for good reason. On paper, Ryan is the much more experienced and accomplished grappler; he is a multiple-time ADCC champion that has not lost in competition since 2018. This will be Ryan’s first appearance in competition since an October exhibition match against UFC welterweight Philip Rowe.
Couch is a brown belt under Heath Pedigo and an experience WNO competitor. A leg lock specialist, Couch has played the part of spoiler before when he defeated Roberto Jimenez and William Tackett to win third at the WNO championships. He’s facing the stiffest test of his career in Ryan, who is equally if not more versed in leg locks and will hold a significant size advantage over Couch.
The co-main event pits the white-hot Mica Galvao against 2019 ADCC fouth-place finisher Dante Leon. Galvao is a counter-oriented grappler that will take advantage of the smallest of openings to finish the match. He comes into this match after winning the ADCC South American trials where he submitted each of his opponents.
Leon is an established elite black belt competitor. He is an excellent takedown artist and has one of the most dangerous guillotines in all of jiu-jitsu. Look to Leon to try to push the pace on Galvao, all while staying safe from Galvao’s counter-submissions.
In what is perhaps the most intriguing match of the night, two-time IBJJF gi world champion Nicholas Meregali will make his no-gi debut when he takes on 2017 no-gi world champion Arnaldo Maidana. Meregali was one of the very best gi players on the planet, and he has been diligently working under the tutelage of John Danaher to modify his game to no-gi competition.
Haisam Rida will face Elder Cruz in a match-up of talented takedown artists. Rida is a judo stylist that defeated Orlando Sanchez and Giancarlo Bodoni to win third at the WNO Championships. Cruz, on the other hand, prefers wrestling-style takedowns. In his most recent performance, Cruz picked up a close decision win over ADCC silver medalist Nick Rodriguez.
Opening up the main card is a match-up between exciting lightweights. Known for his relentless pace and guard passing, Gabriel Sousa defeated Mikey Musumeci and Cole Abate on his way to a second place finish at the WNO championships. His opponent, Keith Krikorian, will be making his WNO debut. Krikorian is a 10th Planet black belt, a submission hunter, and one of the sport’s most active competitors.
How to watch: WNO: Gordon Ryan vs. Jacob Couch takes place on Friday, March 25 and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required). The preliminary card will air for free on the FloGrappling Facebook and YouTube channels.
