An elite-level no-gi match has been announced for the upcoming Fight to Win 173 in Dallas, TX. Two-time ADCC champion Yuri Simoes will be taking on Devhonte “Bones” Johnson. The event is scheduled for June 4.
Yuri Simoes is one of the best and most accomplished no-gi jiu-jitsu competitors of the past decade. He is a two-time IBJJF no-gi double world champion, a two-time Pans champion, and a two-time ADCC champion. He has struggled lately, losing three straight matches in 2021, albeit against top-flight competition. So far this year Simoes has lost to Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa, Vagner Rocha, and Nick Rodriguez.
Devhonte Johnson is a black belt under Murilo Santana and represents Unity Jiu-Jitsu. He was a no-gi world champion at every colored belt, and was a 2019 European Open no-gi champion as a black belt. Johnson has been active in IBJJF competition this year, winning the Houston Open.
This is an interesting match-up that pits a long-time veteran of the no-gi scene (Simoes) against a newer black belt with tons of potential but less overall experience (Johnson). Look for Simoes to try to impose his wrestling game and put Johnson on his back where he can work his world-class guard passing. Johnson is a talented wrestler in his own right, but he may opt to work from his guard, where his has excellent sweeps and back-takes.
How to watch: Fight to Win 173 takes place on Friday, June 4 and will live on FloGrappling (subscription required).
