The Craig Jones Invitational: A Shakeup in Grappling
The grappling world got a shakeup with the announcement of the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), the brainchild of the renowned submission grappler Craig Jones. This isn’t just another competition; it’s a direct challenge to the established king of submission grappling, the ADCC World Championship.
Jones’ Long-Simmering Discontent:
Jones’ decision to create the Craig Jones Invitational didn’t come out of the blue. He seems to believe the sport requires a shakeup to reach the next level of legitimacy. FloGrappling and the ADCC are some of the biggest organizations in the grappling world. Jones has gone on record to criticize the business practices of Flo. He has talked about their dependence on the stardom of a single athlete “Gordon Ryan” to drive their sales, “They basically cannot make profit off a professional grappling event unless Gordon’s involved.” He points out that they have not used his stardom to try to promote other athletes. On top of this, Jones points out that they do not treat their athletes well. This is highlighted in an anecdote he tells about his teammate Nicky Ryan‘s Experience with Flo. Jones: This is a situation that just happened: “Hey Nicky Ryan, how would you like to come all the way to Houston, on your own dime… Stay overnight, and do a free meet and greet with the fans?”[Nicky Ryan’s response] “Oh that sounds great, I’d love to do that for the fans. Can I at least get a hotel room?”
FloGrappling: “No you can’t get a f**king hotel room.” That’s what doing business with FloGrappling is like.
He, along with other top grapplers, have been vocal critics of ADCC’s treatment of athletes and the relatively meager prize money offered compared to the immense popularity of the sport. In a Youtube video titled, “Will Craig Jones Return for ADCC,” Craig Jones stated that despite the growth of the sport, ADCC has not increased prize money in many years, and does not offer “show money” for anyone outside of the top four finishers. With that in mind, he questions if it would be sensible to compete at ADCC himself. The CJI is a clear statement: grapplers deserve better. It appears that Jones has managed to raise a staggering 3 million dollar prize pool.
Craig Jones Invitational’s Million Dollar Prize:
The CJI throws down a serious gauntlet with its staggering prize pool. By offering a cool $1 million to the winner of each weight division (one under 80kg and one over 80kg), the CJI dwarfs the $10,000 awarded to the ADCC champion. This unprecedented sum has sent shockwaves through the grappling community, with some top competitors like the Tackett brothers already making the difficult decision to forgo ADCC in favor of the CJI’s life-changing payday.
A Collision Course for Fans and Athletes:
The drama surrounding the Craig Jones Invitational goes beyond the prize money. Jones has chosen a bold strategy by scheduling the CJI for the same weekend and city as ADCC 2024 (August 17 – 18, 2024). This creates a major headache for both fans and athletes. Fans will have to choose between witnessing history potentially unfold at the CJI or sticking with the established prestige of ADCC. For athletes, the decision is even more complex. Competing in both events is nearly impossible due to the physically demanding nature of grappling. Choosing one tournament over the other could mean missing out on a life-altering opportunity or jeopardizing their performance at either event due to fatigue. At the moment, 2 notable athletes have announced their plans to pull out of the ADCC tournament to compete in the CJI. The first competitor to announce the switch was William Tackett, followed by ADCC Champ Ffion Eira Davies
Unforeseen Consequences: Will the Craig Jones Invitational Endure?
The long-term impact of the CJI remains to be seen. Can it establish itself as a legitimate rival to the well-oiled machine of ADCC, or will it be a flash in the pan? There are several possible outcomes:
- A Thriving Ecosystem: The CJI could force ADCC to increase prize money and improve athlete treatment, leading to a more prosperous environment for all grapplers.
- A Divided Landscape: The grappling scene could become fractured, with fans and athletes split between the two major promotions. This could limit the overall growth of the sport.
- A Catalyst for Change: The CJI might inspire other promotions to emerge, offering more options and opportunities for grapplers, ultimately pushing the entire sport forward.
One thing’s for sure: the CJI has injected a much-needed dose of excitement and competition into the grappling scene. It’s a gamble by Craig Jones, but one that could have a profound impact on the future of professional grappling. The upcoming months will be a fascinating time for grapplers and fans alike as the consequences of this audacious challenge unfold.
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