Who’s Number One 28, held this friday (June 13) at The Hangar in Costa Mesa, California, delivered on every promise: intense matches, technical mastery, and moments that reshaped the international grappling scene.
The event made one thing clear: competitive Jiu-Jitsu is more dynamic and unpredictable than ever. The crowning of Mica Galvão as a two-division champion, the return of legendary names, and the rise of promising new talents all reinforced WNO’s position as the premier stage for elite-level grappling.
Mica Galvão Becomes Two-Division Champion at WNO 28 After Dominating Jonnatas Gracie
In the main event of the night, Mica Galvão cemented his status as one of the sport’s most dominant forces. Facing Jonnatas Gracie, the defending welterweight champion, Mica put on a clinical performance.
With relentless pressure, guard passes, positional dominance, and a near finish via D’arce choke in the final minutes, Mica earned a unanimous decision win. The victory crowned him as the new WNO middleweight (185 lb) champion, adding to his existing welterweight title (170 lb) and making him a two-division king.
Immediately after the match, Mica called out Pedro Marinho, eyeing the 205 lb title and the possibility of becoming WNO’s first-ever three-division champion.
Kit Dale Shocks the World, Defeats Xande Ribeiro
In the co-main event, Australian veteran Kit Dale delivered one of the biggest upsets of the year, defeating Xande Ribeiro by decision. With a smart tactical approach, Dale controlled the pace and neutralized the legendary Brazilian’s offense.
Xande, a multiple-time IBJJF and ADCC world champion, struggled to impose his rhythm against Dale’s measured defense — proving once again that no result is guaranteed in modern grappling.The highlights were his takedowns, guard passing and control from the top.
The defeat doesn’t erase the legacy of Xande, a multiple world and ADCC champion, but it does mark an unexpected turning point in the current competitive grappling scene.
Finishes, Heel Hooks, and Pressure Battles Across the Main Card
The rest of the main card didn’t disappoint:
- Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa beat Dory Aoun by decision. It was a remarkable victory for the Brazilian, who returned after a time out due to a shoulder injury.
- Paige Ivette submitted Kauane Ramos with a slick inside heel hook, one of the top submissions of the night.
- Declan Moody needed less than a minute to finish Fellipe Andrew, also with a heel hook, in a lightning-fast exchange..
- Kyle Chambers closed out the main card with a decision win over Victor Silverio in a strategic, high-paced battle.
Young Talents Shine: Ícaro Moreno and Pablo Rosales Deliver
The undercard was a showcase of rising stars, and two names stood out.
At just 13 years old, Ícaro Moreno continues to impress. The top-ranked youth competitor in the IBJJF submitted Makenzen Wong with a clean and technical D’arce choke, earning recognition from both coaches and fans for his maturity on the mat..
Pablo Rosales also made a strong impression by submitting Victor Rodrigues with a sharp D’arce choke — the same technique used by Ícaro Moreno earlier in the night. His control and timing stood out, putting him on the radar for future WNO main cards.
