WNO 24 results: Gordon Ryan, Diego Pato, Tainan Dalpra turn in standout performances

View the full results and video highlights from WNO 24, which saw Gordon Ryan submit Josh Saunders in the main event.

On Thursday, June 20, FloGrappling’s Who’s Number One (WNO) returned to action in Austin, Texas with a card packed with top no-gi talent.

In the main event, reigning ADCC absolute and superfight champion Gordon Ryan turned in a clinical performance against two-time ADCC Trials winner Josh Saunders. Competing for the first time in 2024, Ryan showcased his trademark guard passing and positional dominance through the contest’s opening half before transitioning to the saddle position where he secured a match-ending heel hook.

With the submission victory, Ryan retained his WNO heavyweight title and extended his incredible winning streak dating back to 2018.

In the co-main event, Brazilian stars Diego “Pato” Oliveira and Fabricio “Hokage” Andrey engaged in a thrilling, back-and-forth match for Pato’s WNO featherweight crown. Andrey put in solid work from the top position in the match’s early going, largely avoiding Pato’s leg entries while applying steady pressure and even threatening with a kimura. Andrey would continue to find success, briefly securing a top-side crucifix around the five-minute mark.

With about five minutes remaining, though, Pato was able to turn the tide with a sweep and back-take. While Andrey was able to fight off full back control for well over a minute, Pato ultimately captured the positional control and sunk in the rear-naked choke.

Considering his recent no-gi wins over the likes of Dante Leon, Gianni Grippo, Kennedy Maciel, and Diogo “Baby Shark” Reis, Pato is considered by many to be the sport’s top pound-for-pound competitor. In addition to his WNO featherweight title, Pato is also the WNO lightweight champion.

And in the evening’s first title match, Atos representative Jonnatas Gracie used patient pressure and solid guard passing technique against Daisy Fresh’s Jacob “The Hillbilly Hammer” Couch to capture the vacant WNO middleweight title. Gracie stayed defensively sound to avoid trouble in Couch’s vaunted closed guard through the bout’s opening minutes. With less than five minutes remaining, Gracie finally secured a clean guard pass, essentially sealing the decision in his favor.

The rest of the card at WNO 24 saw plenty of intriguing action. Top-five heavyweight standout Victor Hugo shined with attacks from his guard before using a wrestle-up to take the back of IBJJF no-gi world champion Javier Zaruski where he would secure the match-ending rear-naked choke. Also, Tainan Dalpra picked up his biggest no-gi win to date with a hard-fought decision against ADCC veteran Jay Rodriguez. Australia’s Adele Fornarino scored a decision over an overly defensive Anna Rodrigues. Teenage prodigy Jozef Chen displayed excellent wrestling and guard passing on his way to a submission win over ADCC East Coast Trials champion Elijah Dorsey. Finally, in the opening contest of the main card, B-Team’s Ethan Crelinsten showed impeccable guard passing and top control en route to a decision over ADCC West Coast Trials winner Deandre Corbe.

WNO 24 results

Gordon Ryan def. Josh Saunders via submission (heel hook) to retain WNO heavyweight title
Diego Pato def. Fabricio Andrey via submission (rear-naked choke) to retain WNO featherweight title
Jonnatas Gracie def. Jacob Couch via decision to claim vacant WNO middleweight title
Victor Hugo def. Javier Zaruski via submission (rear-naked choke)
Tainan Dalpra def. Jay Rodriguez via decision
Adele Fornarino def. Anna Rodriguez via decision
Jozef Chen def. Elijah Dorsey via submission (rear-naked choke)
Ethan Crelinsten def. Deandre Corbe via decision

Preliminary card

Declan Moody def. Felipe Costa via submission (rear-naked choke)
Taylor Hishaw def. Lauren Sears via decision
Jordan Holy def. Andrew Degraff via decision
Ally Wolski def. Nathalia Santoro via submission (armbar)