A last-minute change in the main event for last weekend’s Tezos WNO changed the trajectory of the season, especially in the heavyweight division. But Felipe Pena’s narrow victory over Nick Rodriguez in the headline match was just one of several results we wouldn’t have anticipated just a week ago.

The two protagonists of the upcoming ADCC superfight both returned to action after lengthy layoffs. Gordon Ryan appeared in the main event of Tezos WNO against up-and-comer Jacob Couch, while Andre Galvao took a grappling match on ONE Championship against their middleweight champion Reinier de Ridder. We’ll dive into what those matches looked like and examine what it could mean for their encounter later this year.

Leglocks, like all submissions, are an important component of Tezos WNO. They have counted for a large portion of the match ending moves on the WNO mats, and many athletes have relied heavily — or repeatedly fallen victim to — lower body submissions.

The most recent year of WNO produced some of the most exciting jiu-jitsu matches in history. Champions were crowned, stars were made, rivalries were born, and submissions were made popular on the WNO mats. With the 2021 season complete, and the first event of the 2022 season just a few weeks away, now is our chance to look back on the past season and identify which teams, athletes, divisions and techniques stood out most.

The Who’s Number One (WNO) events have always been about shining a light on the most exciting competitors in the game, and the WNO Championship ended up being one of the most action packed events of all time. In the end, five champions were crowned and over $275,000 in prize money was given out to athletes.

The strawweight division quickly became the most exciting weight class in women's jiu-jitsu over the last year, and the matches at the WNO Championship only further cemented this division in that place.

WNO is all about putting on the most exciting matches possible, and the WNO Championship surely didn't disappoint. The lightweight divsion was absolutely bonkers, every match on the front side or the back side was insane and could have been the best match on a normal card.

According to the oddsmakers, Tim Spriggs was the largest underdog to win the WNO Championship heavyweight division. That makes his incredible success in the heavyweight tournament, and in the heavyweight final so incredible.

Grace Gundrum vs Jessa Khan was one of the most anticipated potential matches in the entire WNO Championship. The two young strawweights have been on a collision course since their childhood, and the match had been attracting the excitement of hopeful fans for months.

The finals are now set for the WNO Championship. Day one featured 30 matches, several jaw dropping submissions, a few incredible upsets, and a handful of WNO records.

FloGrappling's WNO Championship has shaped up to be one of the biggest events in grappling history. With forty athletes, five championship belts, and more than $250,000 in total prizes on the line, there will be no shortage of exciting matches and memorable submissions.

The wait is finally over and the official WNO Championship brackets have been locked in!

The heavyweight division at the WNO Championship is loaded with some of the most decorated heavyweights around. Champions from ADCC, IBJJF and other circuits will square off for the belt and the $30,000 grand prize.

Update (Sept 23) — Luiz Panza is out; Giancarlo Bodoni is in.

The men’s 155 lb division at the WNO Championship has shaped up to be one of the most exciting jiu-jitsu grand prixs in history. Any of the eight men in this stacked division could take home the championship belt, and the $30,000 prize that comes with it.