Earlier in the year, Vagner Rocha was hospitalized due to heart failure. Today, the reigning ADCC silver medalist was back on the mats, winning the WNO 29 main event.
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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty ImagesVagner Rocha wins BJJ return just six months after heart failure
In a battle of veteran Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) stars, Vagner Rocha and Kit Dale went back and forth for 15 minutes. Rocha took him down twice and got control early, but Dale also managed to get on top, to pass and end the match strong. It was a close and competitive match up, but judges ended up awarding the match to the hometown star in Rocha for his
early takedowns and longer control.
Dale is coming from good performances at CJI Trials and WNO 28, but it was Rocha’s night in Miami. Apart from the quality win, the 43-year-old UFC veteran was successful in his return to competition just six months after sustaining a heart attack.
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Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLCAdele Fornarino and Roberto Jimenez steal the show at WNO 29
Two other key bouts at WNO 29 could’ve easily been the main event for most BJJ cards, and both delivered with high level grappling.
Adele Fornarino shined at WNO 29. No stranger to submitting bigger opponents, the reigning ADCC double champ countered a leg lock and quickly submitted second generation grappler Jasmine Rocha with a brutal Aoki lock.
Fornarino’s submission popped Rocha’s ankle and had her in pain and limping after.
Oooof! ADCC double champ Adele Fornarino locked up a nasty Aoki lock at WNO 29 that popped Jasmine Rocha’s ankle. pic.twitter.com/WHNgYqsBQY
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) July 26, 2025
In the other key WNO 29 bout, the always entertaining Roberto Jimenez continued his pretty incredible 2025. He took Ryan Aitken’s back twice and had a tight darce attempt until the final bell to take a dominant decision. Jimenez has been very active this year, adding wins from the professional grappling scene over IBJJF world champ Elder Cruz, ADCC champ Giancarlo Bodoni, and now PGF champ Aitken to his resume.
Earlier in the card, Max Hanson came in as a late replacement on just a week’s notice, but he was still able to upset recent UFC BJJ vet Gianni Grippo by decision in a very close match.
In the prelims, JMMA veteran Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante found more success in BJJ, as he continued his combat sports career at 42 years old. The two-time K-1 Hero’s tournament champ countered a leg lock and submitted Jake O’Driscoll by heel hook very early in his match.
Full results for WNO 29 can be found here.
For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here.
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