Who’s Number One has added two big matches to their upcoming card, which will feature Gordon Ryan vs. Vagner Rocha as the main event.
The promotion has announced that Kade Ruotolo will face Ethan Crelinsten in a WNO rematch, and Johnny Tama and Oliver Taza will go head-to-head in a match that is surprisingly high-caliber for a prelim bout.
Crelinsten, who earned his black belt alongside Nicky Ryan in November, has gone up against both of the Ruotolo brothers. Though he defeated Tye with a toe hold back in 2018 at the ADCC East Coast Trials, Kade got the better of him when they faced off at WNO in June of last year. This will be an exciting rematch between the two, as both athletes have developed significantly since their last meeting. Crelinsten, for example, earned an impressive victory over PJ Barch at SUG 17, and Ruotolo won the lightweight title at CJJ Worlds with a jaw-dropping buggy choke, also over Barch. Their last match went to a decision, but there’s no doubt that both competitors will be aiming for a quicker finish this time around.
Prior to the main card, Johnny Tama and Oliver Taza will be facing off in a preliminary match that will be streamed for free. This will mark the promotional debut for both athletes in what will be a follow-up from the Dallas Open, where Tama took home a silver medal and Taza made history as one of the first competitors to win an IBJJF match via heel hook. The achievements added to the competitors’ extensive records, which include a win at the BJJ Fanatics Grand Prix for Taza and a historic win at No-Gi Worlds last year for Tama.
Who’s Number One: Gordon Ryan vs. Vagner Rocha will take place on Friday, March 26 and can be streamed live on FloGrappling.
