The Best Submissions In WNO History

The WNO Podcast crew votes on the best submissions in WNO History before the WNO Championship!

Sep 13, 2021 by Michael Sears

Who’s Number One (WNO) has emerged in the last 12 months as the premier no-gi superfight event in the world, and the WNO rules result in not only exciting matches but some of the best submission finishes in the sport.

On September 25th-26th, we will be hosting the WNO Championship and the winners will become our first division champions. The WNO Championship will be paying out over $250,000 and features 40 of the most exciting grapplers in the world today.

There have been 55 matches so far on WNO under our current format and rules, with 25 submissions for a 45% submission rate. The WNO Podcast crew of myself, Reid Connell, Corey Stockton and Connor Jaschen all voted on their top subs of all time at WNO, this list is a compilation of our scores.

For a complete ranking of the most exciting matches in WNO history (in my opinion) click here.

“I ranked Gordon vs Vagner first because it doesn’t get any better than calling your sub against an ADCC medalist by giving the commentary crew an envelope containing the sub before the match even begins.” Michael Sears

“If there was any question, this submission proved that Grace Gundrum is a finisher. Grace was down in the judges eyes early in the match, and though she won the judges back by the ten minute mark, it appeared certain that this match would go to decision. But the Silent Assassin turned up the pace in the final moments, and found herself in a certain finishing position with just a few seconds left on the clock. She finished by submission with just 18 seconds to spare, proving her spirit as a finisher.” Corey Stockton

“The only thing that even comes close to this d’arce finish is probably one of Kade’s other finishes. And don’t forget the sickening armbar he latched on to but couldn’t finish early on. Undeniably iconic.” Connor Jaschen

“The fastest submission in Who’s Number One history (Nicky Ryan vs Tony Ramos) deserves to sit in the top spot. A textbook wrestler vs grappler match ended the only way it could have, under thirty seconds.” Reid Connell

Other Submissions Receiving Votes: Kaynan Duarte vs Rodolfo Vieira | Craig Jones vs Ronaldo Junior | William Tackett vs Jason Rau | Gordon Ryan vs Matheus Diniz | Andrew Wiltse vs Gabriel Almeida

5 (tie): Nicky Ryan vs Tony Ramos (October 2nd, 2020)

The fastest submission in WNO history, Nicky Ryan with a quick heel hook against the NCAA champion wrestler.

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5 (tie): Gordon Ryan vs Vagner Rocha (March 25th, 2021)

The infamous match where Gordon gave Hywel an envelope before the match started with a triangle drawn on a piece of paper, and then went out and submitted Vagner with a triangle.