Wikipedia

Craig Jones Invitational

Craig Jones Invitational was an international submission grappling tournament held August 16–17, 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States.[1][2]

Craig Jones Invitational
VenueThomas & Mack Center
LocationLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
DatesAugust 16–17, 2024
Websitehttps://fightfoundation.com

The winner in each weight division received $1 million prize money. The event was streamed live on YouTube for free,[3] and over 100,000 concurrent viewers watched on both days of competition.[4] The event also raised $500,000 for charity in the process.[5]

Background

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Craig Jones from B Team Jiu Jitsu is a two-time ADCC silver medalist. Disappointed with athlete pay at ADCC, he decided to host a tournament in which all invited athletes receive a higher minimum payout ($10,001) than the male winner of ADCC ($10,000).[6]

The two men's divisions scheduled for the tournament were under 80kg and over 80kg, and the winner of each bracket was to be awarded $1 million. Each men's division bracket had 16 competitors. Each participant received $10,001 for competing.[7]

On JRE MMA Show No. 157, an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Jones brought $1 million in cash to promote the tournament.[8]

A best submission bonus of $50,000 will be awarded.[9]

The dates and location were selected to overlap with ADCC 2024, which was held August 17–18, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Separate from the men's divisions, Craig Jones was scheduled to face Gabi Garcia in an intergender superfight, and Ffion Davies was scheduled to fight Mackenzie Dern in the women's superfight.[10] A superfight with Mikey Musumeci was also announced,[11] but ultimately did not occur due to a lack of a contractual agreement with Musumeci's planned opponent.[12] Mason Fowler was scheduled to fight in the over 80kg bracket but later withdrew from the competition due to injury.[13][14]

Results

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Over 80kg

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[15]

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final Winner
  Nick Rodriguez   Nick Rodriguez   Nick Rodriguez   Nick Rodriguez   Nick Rodriguez
  Max Gimenis
  Owen Livesey   Owen Livesey
  Mahamed Aly
  Adam Bradley   Adam Bradley   Adam Bradley
  Kyle Boehm
  Luke Rockhold   Pat Downey
  Pat Downey
  Victor Hugo   Lucas Kanard   Inacio Santos   Fellipe Andrew
  Lucas Kanard
  Inacio Santos   Inacio Santos
  Pedro Alex
  Daniel Greg Kerkvliet   Fellipe Andrew   Fellipe Andrew
  Fellipe Andrew
  Joao Gabriel Rocha   Joao Gabriel Rocha
  William Tackett

Under 80kg

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[16]

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final Winner
  Tye Ruotolo   Tye Ruotolo   Levi Jones-Leary   Levi Jones-Leary   Kade Ruotolo
  Jason Nolf
  Roberto Jimenez   Levi Jones-Leary
  Levi Jones-Leary
  Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa   Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa   Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa
  Kenta Iwamoto
  Jozef Chen   Jozef Chen
  Andy Varela
  Kade Ruotolo   Kade Ruotolo   Kade Ruotolo   Kade Ruotolo
  Matheus Diniz
  Renato Canuto   Tommy Langaker
  Tommy Langaker
  Magid Hage   Eoghan O’Flanagan   Andrew Tackett
  Eoghan O’Flanagan
  Andrew Tackett   Andrew Tackett
  Nicky Ryan

Superfights

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References

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  1. ^ "Dates And Location Announced For Inaugural Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  2. ^ BJJ stars leave ADCC 2024 for $1M CJI prize MMA Uncensored, Anton Tabuena, May 30, 2024
  3. ^ "Craig Jones announces $2 million tournament on same weekend as ADCC". grapplinginsider. 2024-05-24.
  4. ^ Williams, Jackson. "Viewership Figures For Inaugural Craig Jones Invitational Announced". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ de Souza, Diogo. "CJI Announces Over $500,000 Raised For Tap Cancer Out". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  6. ^ Jiu Jitsu Fighters Are Grappling With Exploitation Jacobin, Jack Bedrosian, June 2024
  7. ^ "Legendary Jiu-jitsu Star Craig Jones Waging War On ADCC With Competing Invitational Tournament". deadspin. 2024-06-01.
  8. ^ "Joe Rogan podcast guest flashes $1 million cash during interview to promote Jiu-Jitsu tournament: video". nypost. 2024-06-01.
  9. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational Announces $50,000 'Best Submission' Bonus". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-23.
  10. ^ UFC star Mackenzie Dern ‘couldn’t say no’ to Craig Jones Invitational paycheck MMA Mania, Alexander Behunin, August 11, 2024
  11. ^ "Full Updated Competitor List For The Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  12. ^ Jones, Phil. "Mikey Musumeci Is Out Of CJI Superfight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Mason Fowler Leaves ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  14. ^ "Mason Fowler Withdraws From Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-07-27.
  15. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Ffion Davies Chooses Craig Jones Invitational Over ADCC 2024". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  18. ^ "Mackenzie Dern Booked Against Ffion Davies At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-13.
  19. ^ "Craig Jones Announces Intergender Match Against Gabi Garcia For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
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