Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi…
Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi Garcia and the above-mentioned Jones went to battle in a highly-scrutinized intergender battle of Jiu-Jitsu talents.
Jones, a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star who hosted an invitational event under his own name this weekend over the course of two days in Nevada, had received mass criticizm across social media for putting the high-profile clash in jeopardy.
Weighing in and facing off with Brazilian star, Garcia on Friday, Adelaide native, Jones controversially kissed the former on the lips in a forcible manner – before claiming the bout was likely off, before mocking the Brazilian and her compatriots.
Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia with rear-naked choke
Nevertheless, taking on the mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace in an intergender bout, Jones took Garcia’s back in the goings, before forcing a tap from a rear-naked choke – defeating the massive Porto Alegre submission artist in their controversial matchup in the second round.
BREAKING: Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia via rear naked choke in round 2 to win first-ever inter gender jiu jitsu match at #CJI. #jiujitsupic.twitter.com/3oYyI3E2mq
Reacting to his win, Jones claimed he had received threats from the ADCC community for hosting his own grappling event on the same weekend as their tournament, and how he would like to host another invitational in the future.
“Couldn’t get it, [her] big braids got in the way, but I’d do it again,” Craig Jones told The Mac Life after CGI. “I’d do it again… I’ve had death threats from ADCC from the organizers which is crazy, just ridiculous. I don’t even think that event is worth talking about really, they’re over there fighting for some breadcrumbs.”
Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi…
Sharing the mats this weekend in Las Vegas at the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – grappling aces, Gabi Garcia and the above-mentioned Jones went to battle in a highly-scrutinized intergender battle of Jiu-Jitsu talents.
Jones, a dominant Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star who hosted an invitational event under his own name this weekend over the course of two days in Nevada, had received mass criticizm across social media for putting the high-profile clash in jeopardy.
Weighing in and facing off with Brazilian star, Garcia on Friday, Adelaide native, Jones controversially kissed the former on the lips in a forcible manner – before claiming the bout was likely off, before mocking the Brazilian and her compatriots.
Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia with rear-naked choke
Nevertheless, taking on the mixed martial arts fighter and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu ace in an intergender bout, Jones took Garcia’s back in the goings, before forcing a tap from a rear-naked choke – defeating the massive Porto Alegre submission artist in their controversial matchup in the second round.
BREAKING: Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia via rear naked choke in round 2 to win first-ever inter gender jiu jitsu match at #CJI. #jiujitsupic.twitter.com/3oYyI3E2mq
Reacting to his win, Jones claimed he had received threats from the ADCC community for hosting his own grappling event on the same weekend as their tournament, and how he would like to host another invitational in the future.
“Couldn’t get it, [her] big braids got in the way, but I’d do it again,” Craig Jones told The Mac Life after CGI. “I’d do it again… I’ve had death threats from ADCC from the organizers which is crazy, just ridiculous. I don’t even think that event is worth talking about really, they’re over there fighting for some breadcrumbs.”
The first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night…
The first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night with eight grapplers vying for two million-dollar prizes and a pair of intriguing superfights.
Kicking off Day 2 was the Over 80kg semifinal match between Nicky Rod and Adam Bradley. While the pace was slow, it was clear from the get-go that Rod was in complete control, handily taking the first two rounds via the disclosed scorecards. With roughly three minutes left in the third, Rod climbed into mount. Bradley eventually gave up his back allowing Rod to slap on a body triangle and cinch his arm under the chin, securing his third-straight RNC submission of the tournament.
Joining Rod in the tournament final was Fellipe Andrew who scored a heel hook submission against Inacio Santos in the second round of their entertaining clash.
With the Over 80kg tournament final set, attention turned to the Under 80kg semifinals. First up was Levi Jones-Leary who scored a stunning upset against reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion Tye Ruotolo in the quarterfinal round on Friday.
Jones-Leary landed his third win of the tourney, besting Lucas Barbosa via unanimous decision, putting him one win away from being a millionaire.
But if Jones-Leary hoped to take home the seven-figure prize, he’d have to go through yet another Ruotolo brother.
ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo delivered a solid showing in his exciting back-and-forth scrap with Andrew Tackett, walking away with a decision victory and a ticket to the Under 80kg final.
Ffion Davies and Craig Jones score submission victories in their CJI super fights
Before getting to the tournament finales, the Craig Jones Invitational had not one but two epic superfights pitting some of the best grapplers in the world against one another. First up was two-time IBJJF and 2022 ADCC world champion Ffiona Davies against UFC strawweight fan favorite Mackenzie Dern.
Their opening exchange saw Davies push Dern to the wall before dragging her down to the mat. Davies quickly transitioned to side control and attempted to mount, but ended up in Dern’s half-guard. Davies went back into full guard before once again passing to side control where she would remain for the remainder of the round.
Seconds into the second, Davies put Dern on the canvas with a head and arm throw. Dern did her best to scramble but ended up allowing Davies to slap on a reverse triangle and before long, forced the UFC star to tap out via armbar.
Despite the size discrepancy, Jones was in control for the majority of the matchup and appeared to be playing with his food at times. After winning the opening round with 10-9 scores across the board. With two minutes to go in the second, Jones goes for a heel hook, but Garcia no-sells it works on an ankle lock. Unable to cinch in the maneuver, Jones was able to snatch a rear-naked choke that forced Garcia to tap out with less than 30 seconds to go in the round.
It was an unnecessary, but wholly entertaining matchup between the two BJJ stars.
BREAKING: Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia via rear naked choke in round 2 to win first-ever inter gender jiu jitsu match at #CJI. #jiujitsupic.twitter.com/3oYyI3E2mq
Nicky Rod and Kade Ruotolo take home Million-dollar prize
In the Over 80kg tournament finale, Nicky Rod completed his perfect run at the inaugural CJI, earning a rear-naked choke submission just past the three-minute mark of the third round against Adam Bradley. It was Rod’s fourth-straight finish by way of RNC as he clean sweeps his way to a million-dollar paycheck.
In the Under 80kg tournament final, reigning ONE lightweight submission grappling world champion Kade Ruotolo finished off his run with an entertaining back-and-forth scrap between the man who took out his brother in the quarterfinals.
Unfortunately, Levi Jones-Leary wasn’t able to complete the dream-like run, coming up short on all three scorecards.
Kade Ruotolo's top pressure wins him the $1 million! Crazy match – Levi's guard was insane but Kade put the most pressure and was the most active in the end. Just in time for the UFC 305 main event pic.twitter.com/6GzkYVLrFR
Australian grappler, Craig Jones has confirmed his intergender grappling match against veteran Brazilian submission ace, Gabi Garcia is off…
Australian grappler, Craig Jones has confirmed his intergender grappling match against veteran Brazilian submission ace, Gabi Garcia is off ahead of tomorrow’s invitational event – after the former controversially kissed her during yesterday’s face-off.
Jones, a dominant grappling star, will go head-to-head with the ADCC World Championships tomorrow, as he hosts the Craig Jones Invitational grappling event – with two division winners landing themselves whopping $1,000,000 grand prizes for their respective successes.
Craig Jones kisses Gabi Garcia during CGI face-off
As for Garcia, the 38-year-old Porto Alegre grappling veteran was supposed to face off with Adelaide native, Jones in an intergender grappling super fight at the invitational event across the weekend, however, following a controversial moment at yesterday’s staredown, in which Jones forcibly kissed the Brazilian – the bout was cancelled according to Jones.
Craig Jones kissed Gabi Garcia during their face-off
Reacting to Jones’ controversial stunt, Garcia claimed the Australian grappler had “crossed the line” with his actions – before the outspoken Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu star appeared to reveal how their super fight match was now officially off.
“Fights cancelled,” Craig Jones said of the matchup. “I guess Brazilians can’t take a joke.”
A four-time ADCC world championship gold medal winner, Garcia has also competed in professional mixed martial arts competition – as recently as 2018.
Taking on Barbara Nepomuceno at Rizin 14 in Japan, Garcia turned in an impressive opening round keylock submission win to improve her unbeaten professional record to seven straight fights.
Joe Rogan was once a piece of counterculture, but now, at least according to Craig Jones, Rogan is now…
Joe Rogan was once a piece of counterculture, but now, at least according to Craig Jones, Rogan is now the man.
Joe Rogan
The popular talk show host Rogan hosts the biggest podcast in history with millions of monthly listeners. He began his career as an actor and a comedian. The UFC has worked closely alongside Rogan who has been one of their broadcast professionals for decades, even while MMA was outlawed.
Craig Jones
The Australia-born Jones is one of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu grapplers currently active. He has twice earned silver in ADCC, the premier organization in submission grappling. But recently, he started his own event with tons of impressive talent competing.
Craig Jones Invitational
The CJI and ADCC 2024 will both be hosted on the same weekend and both in Las Vegas. For the CJI, there are a million dollars in prizes to be won. But, Joe Rogan is not happy with this setup. Rogan, who sponsors the ADCC, wasn’t too happy about the clash and mentioned his frustration on the podcast.
The Australian Jones recently talked about his experience on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast, where he faced some pushback from Rogan himself. Jones was there to promote his new grappling tournament which he started to boost athlete pay in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.
Jones, however, thinks the conflict is necessary to push for better pay for athletes. He pointed out that Rogan, who built his career challenging the system, might not see why shaking things up is important. He is looking to set a new standard for athlete compensation.
“That’s the thing with Rogan, right? If you build a career fighting the man, ultimately if you become successful enough you kind of become the man… He didn’t really grasp why we had to do it this way and cause a conflict. There has to be a conflict.”
Mackenzie Dern’s decision to forgo competing at this year’s ADCC tournament in favor of the Craig Jones Invitational came…
Mackenzie Dern’s decision to forgo competing at this year’s ADCC tournament in favor of the Craig Jones Invitational came down to one simple motivator.
The CJI will make its highly anticipated debut this weekend (August 16-17) in Las Vegas featuring some of the biggest names in the BJJ game, including ONE world champions Kade and Tye Ruotolo, Renato Canuto, Tommy Langaker, Nicky Rod, and former UFC middleweight titleholder Luke Rockhold.
Also featuring on the card will be a pair of intriguing superfights. Craig Jones squares off with nine-time world champion Gabi Garcia in a crossover match while former ADCC champion Mackenzie Dern meets defending ADCC gold medalist Ffion Davies.
Originally, Dern was planning to compete at this year’s ADCC tournament, but as the old adage goes, money talks.
“The biggest motivation was the purse and that they were going to pay the women’s fight such a good amount for a super fight,” Dern told the Beasts With Brains podcast. “So, for me, I was going to do ADCC. I already have that title, and then to have my UFC fight scheduled so close, I didn’t think it was fair to pull out of ADCC if anything were to happen.
“I made that clear with Craig: I need to have a backup if I leave. I have a good relationship with ADCC. I’m so supportive. But, it’s at T-Mobile Arena and, like I said, the money is the same as it was 10 years ago. To get this amount of money for a women’s fight, I couldn’t say no” (h/t MMA Mania).
Craig Jones poaches Mackenzie Dern and other ADCC stars with promises of a higher purse
ADCC will also go down this weekend in ‘Sin City,’ but without many of its top stars after the CJI swayed competitors to its tourney with promises of a higher purse. The ADCC only pays its champions $10,000 despite bringing in millions in revenue.
On the other hand, Jones will pay everyone competing at the CJI $10,001 with $1 million going to the winner of each bracket. Because of that, Jones managed to poach numerous ADCC champions and other high-level grapplers to his inaugural event.
The CJI will emanate from T-Mobile Arena while ADCC heads to the Thomas and Mack Arena across town.
BREAKING: Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia via rear naked choke in round 2 to win first-ever inter gender jiu jitsu match at #CJI.
BREAKING: Craig Jones submits Gabi Garcia via rear naked choke in round 2 to win first-ever inter gender jiu jitsu match at 
The first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) returned to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas on Saturday night…
Australian grappler, Craig Jones has confirmed his intergender grappling match against veteran Brazilian submission ace, Gabi Garcia is off…
(@Full_Violence) 
Joe Rogan was once a piece of counterculture, but now, at least according to Craig Jones, Rogan is now…
Mackenzie Dern’s decision to forgo competing at this year’s ADCC tournament in favor of the Craig Jones Invitational came…
