Holy cow, WNO 27 is shaping up to be an epic event. It will showcase Nicky Rod against Kaynan Duarte, the 2024 ADCC Open-Weight World Champion.
Some are saying that this may be the biggest Who’s Number One in its history, seeing these two powerhouses go at it. Currently, the odds have Duarte as a solid favorite, but you can’t sleep on Nicky Rod, who’s been a bit of a “black belt slayer.”
The co-main event for the April 18th promotion is shaping up to be an incredible match in itself.
The stage is set for two of the world’s top heavyweight grapplers prepare to go head-to-head in a pivotal co-main event. Six Blades standout Victor Hugo will clash with New Wave’s rising star Luke Griffith in a matchup that could reshape the division. The stakes couldn’t be higher, with both competitors undefeated in the WNO competition.
Hugo vs. Griffith is more than just a supporting act. It’s a battle between two of the sport’s most dangerous heavyweights, each with something to prove after an eventful but challenging 2024 campaign.
Victor Hugo started the year on fire, taking home statement wins over Nick Rodriguez and Javier Zaruski. But his momentum hit a wall when he suffered a shocking first-round exit at CJI, a loss that left him eager for redemption. On the other side, Luke Griffith had an incredible year, submitting Kaynan Duarte and making a heck of march to the ADCC finals. He came painfully close to taking gold but was ultimately submitted—leaving him hungry to bounce back and cement his status as a top contender.
believe it or not, Hugo and Griffith have never faced off. Their clash has been brewing for some time, nearly happening at a previous WNO event. Now, with both men looking to prove themselves on the big stage, the timing couldn’t be better.
Some wonder if this fight could reshape the heavyweight division since Gordon Ryan’s status seems to be uncertain (but one can never tell).
Whatever happens on April 18th, one thing is clear: this may be one of the best WNOs ever.
