A Bold Beginning: Why Craig Jones Started CJI
The landscape of submission grappling has always been shaped by the ADCC World Championship, known as the pinnacle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competition. However, Craig Jones, a prominent grappler and BJJ personality, felt the system was missing a crucial component: proper compensation for athletes. Jones, frustrated with the lack of financial rewards for grapplers, took matters into his own hands, founding the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI).
For years, Jones had voiced his dissatisfaction with the way ADCC, despite its prestige, had not kept pace with the financial demands of a rapidly growing sport. While the event enjoyed massive viewership and high-profile sponsorships, the $10,000 prize for winning the ADCC has remained stagnant for years. For many athletes, the prize was not a reflection of the incredible effort and sacrifice required to compete at that level.
The tipping point came when Jones announced the creation of CJI in 2024. His message was clear: it was time for a change. He wanted to elevate the financial rewards for grapplers and challenge the traditional tournament structure, which, according to Jones, didn’t reward athletes the way it should.
To make his point, Jones set the bar high. The inaugural Craig Jones Invitational offered an unprecedented $1 million prize for both the under 80 kg and over 80 kg weight divisions. It wasn’t just about offering more money, though; it was about creating a platform where athletes would be valued, both for their skills and their personalities.
CJI 1: A Groundbreaking Success
The first Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 1) took place in August 2024 in Las Vegas, at the Thomas & Mack Center, and it was nothing short of a spectacle. The event’s unique appeal drew competitors and fans alike, with some of the top names in grappling participating. For the first time, the sport had a tournament where athletes walked away with a seven-figure prize.
In the under 80 kg division, Kade Ruotolo claimed victory, while Nicky Rodriguez triumphed in the over 80 kg category, each earning $1 million. The matches were fast-paced, exciting, and, most importantly, safe thanks to the introduction of “The Pit”—a new competition format designed to eliminate the chaotic out-of-bounds situations that have plagued other tournaments like ADCC. The Pit was inspired by Karate Combat.
One of the most talked-about moments of the event was the intergender bout between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia. The match, which pitted Jones against the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend, was a high-stakes spectacle that captured the attention of fans worldwide. Despite Garcia’s size advantage, Jones dominated the match, securing a rear-naked choketo win the contest. The intergender fight was a bold statement in itself, showing that CJI was willing to push boundaries and take risks in ways that other events hadn’t.
Not only was the event a major financial success, but it also raised $500,000 for cancer research, further cementing its status as a competition that cared about the grappling community. As a non-profit, CJI didn’t just focus on profit—it also made sure that the proceeds went toward causes that made a difference, such as supporting Tap Cancer Out.
Why CJI 2?
Following the success of CJI 1, Craig Jones wasted no time announcing CJI 2. After spending $3 million on the first event, which left him jokingly lamenting his “gift” to the athletes, Jones revealed that the second installment of the tournament was secured with $17 million in funding, thanks to investors and borrowed capital.
This time, Jones announced the event would take place in Las Vegas again, in August 2025, but with a massive format change that he teased would be revealed closer to the event. He emphasized that the changes would be designed to keep the competition exciting, engaging, and most importantly, innovative. Jones didn’t want to just repeat what had been done in the first event; he aimed to redefine what a submission grappling tournament could be.
Jones didn’t just want to improve the financial aspect of the sport; he also aimed to address the entertainment value of grappling events. Referring to other grappling tournaments as “boring,” Jones is determined to push the sport into a new era, one where grapplers get paid for their hard work and where fans are treated to thrilling, unpredictable matches.
CJI’s Impact on ADCC and the Grappling Community
The rise of CJI and its challenge to ADCC has created a significant shift in the world of grappling. For years, ADCC had been considered the gold standard in submission grappling, but CJI has raised the stakes by offering larger prize pools, more exciting formats, and higher levels of athlete compensation. In fact, several top athletes, frustrated with ADCC’s lack of proper rewards, made the bold move to compete in CJI, signaling a cultural shift in the sport.
ADCC’s Mo Jassim, long regarded as the leader of the competition, has faced increasing pressure to raise the prize money for athletes and make the tournament more financially appealing. In an effort to keep top athletes, ADCC introduced show money for the first time and increased compensation for female competitors. However, these steps were viewed by many as reactive, in response to the growing influence of CJI.
Other events, such as the Spider Invitational and ONE Championship, have also followed suit by offering substantial prizes—creating a trend that places athletes at the center of the equation. This trend highlights the growing importance of compensating grapplers fairly for their efforts and success, an idea that CJI has made a core part of its mission.
What’s Next for CJI?
As anticipation builds for CJI 2 in August 2025, the grappling community is eager to see what new innovations and surprises Craig Jones has in store. With the $17 million funding already secured, and a growing roster of competitors eager to be part of the event, CJI is set to continue its mission of shaking up the grappling world and putting athletes at the forefront of the sport’s future.
Will CJI 2 introduce new weight classes? More crossover matches? Or even higher prize money? Jones’ humor and candor, combined with the financial backing for the event, have set the stage for another groundbreaking installment.
In the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the Craig Jones Invitational is no longer just a competition. It is a movement—one that’s changing the way athletes are compensated, how tournaments are produced, and the future of the sport itself.
Conclusion: A Revolution in Submission Grappling
Craig Jones, through CJI, has set a new standard in submission grappling by focusing on athlete welfare, innovative formats, and generous prize money. As the grappling community eagerly anticipates CJI 2 in August 2025, it’s clear that the landscape of competitive grappling will never be the same.
Will CJI 2 continue to challenge the status quo and redefine the future of submission grappling? All signs point to yes. The revolution has already begun, and there’s no turning back.
