The latest Who’s Number One event was headlined by a match between the greatest no gi grappler on the planet right now, Gordon Ryan, and one of the most brutal grapplers in the sport, Vagner Rocha. The pair were both aggressive on the feet to begin with but Ryan managed to pull guard and sweep to obtain top position. Ryan slowly and methodically passed to half guard, then mount, before managing to take Rocha’s back and secure a bodylock position, working patiently for almost ten minutes from there. Rocha did manage to break free in the end and escape the back, landing in 50/50 against the talented leglocker.
It was Rocha who pulled the trigger first however and he ripped on a heelhook attempt almost immediately. He abandoned it in the end and came up on top for the first time in the fight, before sitting back for another leglock attempt. This one was dealt with much quicker by Ryan who came up into a bodylock-passing position in half guard once more. From here he managed to pass and immediately locked up a Kimura before switching to a Triangle Choke in a similar vein to a recent video he uploaded explaining different options from the Kimura position. Rocha soon tapped to the choke and Ryan was declared the winner.
The event also featured another two members of the Danaher Death Squad coming out on top as both Nicky Rodriguez and Oliver Taza won by decision against Yuri Simoes and Johnny Tama respectively. Mikey Musumeci also emerged victorious in a rare superfight appearance against Marcelo Cohen and although he managed to lock up a Triangle Armbar to finish the fight, the threat of heelhooks was no doubt great preparation for him ahead of his next run at the IBJJF no gi World Championships.
Who’s Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha Full Results
Gordon Ryan defeats Vagner Rocha via Submission – Triangle Choke
Nicky Rodriguez defeats Yuri Simoes via Decision
Mikey Musumeci defeats Marcelo Cohen via Submission – Triangle Armbar
Rafaela Guedes defeats Maggie Grindatti via Submission – Rear-Naked Choke
Oliver Taza defeats Johnny Tama via Decision
Cole Abate defeats Ned Johnson via Submission – Straight Ankle Lock
Andrew Tackett defeats Sean Yadimarco via Decision
The full Who’s Number One: Gordon Ryan v Vagner Rocha event will available for replay on FloGrappling, click here to subscribe and watch.
