Felipe Pena has just been forced to withdraw from his match with Luke Griffith at the last minute after suffering an injury training and both men have been removed from the lineup at Who’s Number One (WNO) 28. The promotion has announced that the match has just been postponed, although they have not been able to confirm when it will take place yet. The WNO heavyweight title was supposed to be on the line in this match too, as the reigning champion Gordon Ryan had vacated the belt. It’s unclear whether the title remains vacant at this moment in time, or if it has reverted back to Ryan until further notice.
The match between Pena and Griffith was supposed to be the co-main event for the excellent WNO 28 card, so it’s a big loss for everyone concerned. Obviously every blow like this comes as an opportunity to someone else, and the card has been shuffled around with one more match added to replace this one. Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa will now be facing Dory Aoun instead and although this has been put together at the last minute, it’s a great matchup. Barbosa is one of the best grapplers in the world at light-heavyweight and Aoun is a great competitor who presents a tough challenge for anyone.
Barbosa and Aoun aren’t being brought in as the new co-main event though, and that position is going to two of the biggest legends on the card instead. Hall of Fame competitor Xande Ribeiro will be appearing in his second WNO match to take on one of the most popular Australian grapplers of all time, Kit Dale. There’s only going to be one title on the line at WNO 28 now that Felipe Pena and Luke Griffith are no longer on the card, as Mica Galvao is moving up to middleweight to challenge Jonnatas Gracie in an attempt to become the promotion’s second double champion.
The full WNO 28 live event, no longer including Felipe Pena vs Luke Griffith, is available to watch on June 13th, 2025 on FloGrappling, click here to subscribe and watch.
