by Joe Gilpin
ADCC World Champion Giancarlo Bodoni will reignite his rivalry with Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa at Tezos WNO 21, replacing teammate Gordon Ryan on late notice after an injury forced him out. Now the two will face off in a heavyweight bout on the main card of the event, which will also see the prior co-main event of Pedro Marinho vs Rafael Lovato Jr. for the WNO Light Heavyweight Championship elevated to main event.
Bodoni agrees to step in to face Hulk on less than one week’s notice. The #2 ranked 205lb grappler in the world has most recently been active in organizations like Polaris and Blue Collar FC, and has won an impressive 23 of his last 26 matches. He will face a man that he is very familiar with, as they add another chapter in one of modern grappling’s fiercest rivalries.
Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa and Bodoni have fought 6 times already, with Lucas winning four of their matches. However, the most recent time was the ADCC World Finals, where Bodoni won by submission. They have faced off for major championships in IBJJF & ADCC, now they will compete under WNO rules.
There is one additional change that is coming to the undercard. Caleb Tackett has had to withdraw from his prelim match against Estevan Martinez, but New Wave has also agreed to a late replacement with Reese Lefever. Lefever is an exciting up-and-comer who recently tallied a submission win over ADCC veteran Jeremy Skinner.
