Alright, so WNO 27 just went down in Austin, Texas, on April 19, 2025 — and man, it did not disappoint.
If you’ve been following Who’s Number One for a while, you already know the drill: lots of B-Team and New Wave faces and high-paced no-gi action from start to finish. But this one? This one had some big moments you’ve gotta hear about.
Nicky Rod vs. Kaynan Duarte — The Main Event Delivered
This was the big one. Nick Rodriguez, also known as Nicky Rod, faced off against Kaynan Duarte, a man who has won two gold medals at the ADCC 2024. That’s no joke.
The match started off rough for Nicky — he got taken down, and Kaynan almost took his back in the scramble. But then Nicky flipped the switch.
He stood up, blasted Duarte with a double-leg takedown, passed straight to mount with that nasty body-lock, and just controlled him. That’s how you make a statement. He didn’t get the sub, but he got the decision — and he earned it.
Helena Crevar — Teen Terror Strikes Again
Let’s talk about Helena Crevar for a sec. She’s still a teenager, but already tearing through top-level black belts. She faced Elisabeth Clay — a seasoned vet — and made it look fast.
Clay went for a straight ankle lock early. Helena stayed calm, took the back off the scramble, and boom — rear naked choke. Quick tap. Done. The kid is scary good.
Luke Griffith — Huge Win Over Victor Hugo
This one was a war. Luke Griffith (repping New Wave) took on Victor Hugo, who’s basically considered the #2 heavyweight in the world.
Hugo started strong. Had Griffith’s back. Looked real dangerous. But Luke didn’t fold. He escaped, turned things around, and took Hugo’s back instead. He kept the pressure and won by decision. Massive win for him.
Other Fights Worth Shouting Out:
- Andrew Tackett (BFF) heel hooked Fabyury Khrysthyan (AOJ). Slick stuff.
- Xande Ribeiro is still a legend. He Kimura’d Richie Martinez like it was nothing.
- Owen Jones (B-Team) tapped Julian Espinosa (RGA) with an RNC. Smooth work.
Final Thoughts
WNO 27 had something for everyone — slick submissions, wild scrambles, upsets, and breakout moments.
Nicky Rod’s control, Helena’s speed, and Luke’s comeback were the big standouts. B-Team and New Wave are still dominating the scene, and the future of no-gi grappling looks crazy exciting.
Source: BJJ Heroes – WNO 27 Results
