Giancarlo Bodoni has just landed a huge opportunity on the next Who’s Number One (WNO) event as he will be challenging the reigning Light-Heavyweight champion Pedro Marinho for his title. This chance to win the belt comes hot on the heels of an incredible breakthrough performance at the 2022 ADCC world championships that saw him win a gold medal in the 88kg division. Bodoni defeated four of the best grapplers on the planet to rise to the top of his division, starting with a convincing points victory over Brazilian veteran Isaque Bahiense.
Bodoni also submitted the reigning champion Matheus Diniz, quickly followed by another submission victory over one of most exciting talents to emerge at the event, Eoghan O’Flanagan. That put him in the final against the former bronze medallist from the 99kg division, Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa, who he also submitted within the regulation time. Bodoni also had a solid performance in the absolute division where he emerged victorious against an athlete significantly bigger than him in the opening round, submitting Haisam Rida with an armbar. His only loss of the tournament came in the quarterfinals against his teammate Nicholas Meregali, who beat him on points.
Marinho was also present at ADCC 2022 where he went out in the second round of the 88kg division and the opening round of the absolute, beating Jacob Rodriguez on points but losing to Vagner Rocha and Tye Ruotolo by decision and submission respectively. Marinho won the WNO Light-Heavyweight title by beating Craig Jones in a close decision before he moved up to the Heavyweight division to challenge Bodoni’s teammate Gordon Ryan for a second belt, only to be submitted by him in the end.
Giancarlo Bodoni v Pedro Marinho might be the headline match for the next WNO event, but FloGrappling have also announced a number of other matches featuring ADCC veterans too. The event will also feature a pair of exciting matches between lighter athletes, Cole Abate v Josh Cisneros and Fabricio Andrey v Ethan Crelinsten. Bruno Matias will be making his WNO debut against B-Team’s Izaak Michell, while New Wave’s Luke Griffith will meet Haisam Rida on the mats. The lone women’s match of the main card will feature ADCC 2022 silver medallist Brianna Ste-Marie coming up against an incredibly tough opponent in Mayssa Bastos.
The full WNO: Giancarlo Bodoni v Pedro Marinho event, including every fight in the above lineup, will be available to watch live on FloGrappling on November 11th, click here to subscribe and watch.
