Craig Jones Invitational

Craig Jones Invitational is a planned international submission grappling tournament to be held 16–17 August 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.[1] Craig Jones stated that the event will be streamed on YouTube for free.[2]

Craig Jones Invitational
VenueThomas & Mack Center
LocationLas Vegas, USA
Dates16–17 August 2024
Websitehttps://fightfoundation.com

Background

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Craig Jones 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).

There will be two men's divisions: men -80kg and men 80+kg, and the winner of each bracket will be awarded $1 million. Each participant will receive $10,001 for competing.[3]

During Joe Rogan podcast episode JRE MMA Show #157, Craig Jones brought $1 million in cash to promote the tournament.[4]

ADCC

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At ADCC the prize for the 1st place at men's -66kg/-77kg/-88kg/-99kg/+99kg is $10,000, the 2nd place is $5,000, the 3rd place is $3,000, the 4th place is $1,000; the prizes at women's -60kg/+60kg divisions are $6,000 for the 1st place, $3,000 for the 2nd place, $2,000 for the 3rd place, $1,000 for the 4th place; for absolute weight class (men) the prizes are $40,000 for the 1st place, $10,000 for the 2nd place, $5,000 for the 3rd place, $1,000 for the 4th place; super fight prizes are $40,000 to the winner and $10,000 to the loser; there are additional awards: $1,400 to the best fighter, $1,400 best takedown award, $1,400 for the fastest submission, $1,400 best fight of competition (split); total prize money is $230,600.[5] A best submission bonus $50,000 was announced on June 23th 2024.[6]

In January 2024 Gordon Ryan suggested that ADCC should increased winner payout to $250,000+ per division.[7]

Participants

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There will be two men's divisions: under 80kg and over 80kg. Each men's division will have 16 competitors. Separate from the men's divisions, Craig Jones will face Gabi Garcia in an inter-gender superfight, and Ffion Davies will face Mackenzie Dern in the women's superfight.[8]

Men under 80kg

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Men over 80kg

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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. ^ "Craig Jones announces $2 million tournament on same weekend as ADCC". grapplinginsider. 2024-05-24.
  3. ^ "Legendary Jiu-jitsu Star Craig Jones Waging War On ADCC With Competing Invitational Tournament". deadspin. 2024-06-01.
  4. ^ "Joe Rogan podcast guest flashes $1 million cash during interview to promote Jiu-Jitsu tournament: video". nypost. 2024-06-01.
  5. ^ "ADCC Championship Prize Money Allocation". adcombat. 2024-06-01.
  6. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational Announces $50,000 'Best Submission' Bonus". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-23.
  7. ^ "Gordon Ryan Says That ADCC Should Increase Winner Payouts To $250k+ Per Division". bjjee. 2024-01-13.
  8. ^ "Full Updated Competitor List For The Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  9. ^ "Tackett Brothers Withdraw From ADCC 2024 For CJI, Replaced By Andy Varela And Elder Cruz". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  10. ^ "Nicky Ryan Withdraws From ADCC 2024 To Compete At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  11. ^ "Jozef Chen Announces Appearance At Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)". bjjee. 2024-06-01.
  12. ^ "Lucas 'Hulk' Barbosa Enters Under 80kg Division At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  13. ^ "Matheus Diniz Becomes Latest Champion To Leave ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-09.
  14. ^ "Eoghan O'Flanagan Joins Craig Jones Invitational At Under 80kg". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-11.
  15. ^ "Tommy Langaker Becomes Latest To Leave ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-14.
  16. ^ "Levi Jones-Leary Withdraws From ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-14.
  17. ^ "Three-Time NCAA Champion Jason Nolf Joins Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-14.
  18. ^ "Andy Varela Leaves ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-16.
  19. ^ "Both Ruotolo Brothers Leave ADCC 2024 To Join Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-20.
  20. ^ "Competition for ADCC? Craig Jones Announces $1 Million Prize Tournament". tackettjiujitsu. 2024-06-01.
  21. ^ "Luke Rockhold Set To Compete At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  22. ^ "Nicky Rodriguez Leaves ADCC 2024 To Enter Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  23. ^ "Mason Fowler Leaves ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  24. ^ "Roberto Jimenez Withdraws From ADCC 2024 To Join Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  25. ^ "Joao Gabriel Rocha Announced For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-05.
  26. ^ "Victor Hugo Withdraws From ADCC 2024 To Enter Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-05.
  27. ^ "Top Gi Competitor Fellipe Andrew Joins Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-13.
  28. ^ "Trials Winner Inacio Santos Leaves ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-22.
  29. ^ "Pat Downey Joins Over 80kg Division Of Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-23.
  30. ^ "Ffion Davies Chooses Craig Jones Invitational Over ADCC 2024". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  31. ^ "Mackenzie Dern Booked Against Ffion Davies At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-13.
  32. ^ "Craig Jones Announces Intergender Match Against Gabi Garcia For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
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