Multiple-time IBJJF gi world champion Nicholas Meregali is set to compete in his second-ever no-gi match. On Thursday, July 14 at Who’s Number One (WNO), Meregali will fill in for his injured teammate Luke Griffith and will face Breylor Grout in a 15-minute submission-only match.
Meregali announced the match-up on Instagram.
Widely considered one of the best pound-for-pound gi competitors in the world, Nicholas Meregali recently began training in no-gi at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu alongside Gordon Ryan and under the tutelage of John Danaher. In March, Meregali competed in his first-ever no-gi match when he defeated Arnaldo Maidana by armbar at Who’s Number One.
Meregali won the IBJJF Worlds as a black belt in 2017, 2019, and 2022. At the 2021 Worlds, he was disqualified from competing in both his weight division and absolute final after he made an obscene gesture during a semifinal match against Victor Hugo.
Despite his lack of experience in no-gi competition, Meregali was granted an invite to the 2022 ADCC World Championships.
For Breylor Grout, this is a massive step-up in competition and an opportunity to defeat one of the best in the world. Training out of Legion American Jiu-Jitsu, Grout is a brown belt no-gi Pans champion and was a contestant on “Who’s Next,” where he lost to Meregali’s New Wave teammate Dan Manasoiu.
How to watch: Who’s Number One takes place on Thursday, July 14 at 7 PM CT and will air live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
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