Craig Jones Invitational – A Complete Guide
Get Ready for an Epic Weekend of Grappling in Las Vegas
Background to the Craig Jones Invitational
Who is Craig Jones?
Craig Jones, a two-time ADCC silver medalist (and the co-founder of B Team Jiu Jitsu), is a prominent figure in the BJJ and submission grappling world. As a member of the B Team Jiu-Jitsu, Jones has consistently demonstrated his skills on the mat, but his dissatisfaction with the compensation at ADCC events led him to create his own tournament. The Craig Jones Invitational promises higher payouts and a more athlete-friendly environment.
Why the Craig Jones Invitational?
The Craig Jones Invitational was born out of a desire to improve athlete compensation in the sport. While ADCC offers a $10,000 prize for the male winner, the Craig Jones Invitational guarantees a minimum payout of $10,001 to each invited athlete, with the winners in each division receiving a whopping $1 million prize. This move is a clear statement of intent to revolutionize the sport and ensure athletes are compensated fairly for their efforts.
Event Details
- Date: August 16-17, 2024
- Location: Thomas & Mack Center, Las Vegas, USA
- Streaming: The event will be streamed live on YouTube for free, making it accessible to grappling fans worldwide.
Athletes to Watch
Men’s Under 80 kg Division
This division features some of the most exciting and dynamic grapplers in the world. Keep an eye on these competitors:
- Andrew Tackett (USA): Known for his aggressive style and technical prowess.
- Nicky Ryan (USA): A rising star in the BJJ world, with a reputation for outsmarting his opponents.
- Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa (Brazil): A powerhouse competitor with a versatile game.
Men’s Over 80 kg Division
The heavyweights will bring power and precision to the mats. Notable athletes include:
- William Tackett (USA): A dominant force in the division with a track record of success.
- Luke Rockhold (USA): The former UFC fighter brings his elite grappling skills to the tournament.
- Nick Rodriguez (USA): Known as “Nicky Rod,” he’s a fan favorite for his explosive style.
Superfights
Adding to the excitement, the event will feature several high-profile superfights:
- Craig Jones vs. Gabi Garcia: An inter-gender clash that promises to be a must-watch event.
- Ffion Davies vs. Mackenzie Dern: A showcase of elite women’s grappling.
History and Conflict with ADCC
Conflict with ADCC
The timing of the Craig Jones Invitational, overlapping with ADCC 2024, is no coincidence. By scheduling his event for the same weekend, Jones is making a bold statement against ADCC’s compensation model. This rivalry adds an extra layer of intrigue to the event, as it directly challenges one of the biggest organizations in the sport.
A New Era in Submission Grappling
The Craig Jones Invitational has the potential to reshape the landscape of competitive grappling. With its emphasis on fair compensation and athlete welfare, this event could set a new standard for how grappling tournaments are run and how athletes are treated.
Tournament Divisions, Format & Matchups
Divisions
Mens Under 80kg
- Andrew Tackett (USA)
- Nicky Ryan (USA)
- Jozef Chen (South Africa/Germany/Taiwan)
- Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa (Brazil)
- Renato Canuto (Brazil)
- Matheus Diniz (Brazil)
- Eoghan O’Flanagan (United Kingdom)
- Tommy Langaker (Norway)
- Levi Jones-Leary (Australia)
- Jason Nolf (USA)
- Andy Varela (USA)
- Kade Ruotolo (USA)
- Tye Ruotolo (USA)
- Roberto Jimenez (Ecuador/USA)
- Magid Hage (Brazil/USA)
- Kenta Iwamoto (Japan)
Mens Over 80kg
- William Tackett (USA)
- Luke Rockhold (USA)
- Nick Rodriguez (USA)
- Lucas Kanard (Australia)
- Joao Gabriel Rocha (Brazil)
- Victor Hugo (Brazil)
- Owen Livesey (United Kingdom)
- Fellipe Andrew (Brazil)
- Max Gimenis (Brazil)
- Adam Bradley (USA)
- Inacio Santos (Brazil)
- Pat Downey (USA)
- Pedro Alex (Brazil)
- Kyle Boehm (USA)
- Mahamed Aly (Brazil)
- Daniel Greg Kerkvliet (USA)
Format
The tournament will follow a single-elimination format, with 16 competitors in each division battling it out for the top spot. In addition to the $1 million prize for the winners, a $50,000 bonus will be awarded for the best submission of the event, adding extra incentive for competitors to showcase their finishing skills.
Superfights
Adding to the excitement, the event will feature several high-profile superfights:
- Craig Jones vs. Gabi Garcia: An inter-gender clash that promises to be a must-watch event.
- Ffion Davies vs. Mackenzie Dern: A showcase of elite women’s grappling.
Where to Watch
Streaming on YouTube
The Craig Jones Invitational will be streamed live and free on YouTube, allowing fans from around the world to tune in and witness the action. This accessibility is a significant draw, ensuring that the event reaches the widest possible audience. [Link not posted yet but will be updated here once available]
Why the Craig Jones Invitational is a Must-Watch Event
With $1 million on the line for each division winner, the Craig Jones Invitational offers unprecedented stakes, making this one of the most thrilling grappling events in history. Fans will witness world-class grapplers, each bringing their unique style and hungry for viictory.
The single-elimination format ensures intense competition, while the addition of high-profile superfights adds an extra layer of excitement. This event has a log of eyes on it due to the ADCC controversy – but all true grappling fans can agree, it will push the sport forward.
