In a seismic shift within the elite world of submission grappling, Craig Jones, one of the co-founders of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, has officially left the team. Sources close to the gym have confirmed that B-Team will undergo a complete rebrand, with Nicky Ryan stepping into the role of head coach, while standout competitor Nicky Rodriguez (“Nicky Rod”) will remain as one of the team’s leading athletes.

This marks the end of an era for B-Team, a gym that formed in 2021 after the split of the legendary Danaher Death Squad. With Craig’s departure, B-Team closes a chapter—but a new one is just beginning.

Leadership Overhaul & August Rebrand

As of today, plans are in motion to restructure and rebrand the team with a fresh identity and renewed mission. The rebrand is scheduled for launch in early August 2025, and the new project will focus on:

• High-level instruction across all belts and skill levels
• An elite competition team led by world-class instructors
• A shift away from the influencer-party culture and back to professional excellence

The new leadership under Nicky Ryan, widely regarded as one of the most technically gifted grapplers of his generation, signals a return to serious, system-based coaching.

Gordon Ryan Weighs In: “Call Yourselves Team Bankrupt”

The news ignited a firestorm of commentary from longtime rival and former teammate Gordon Ryan, who issued a scathing statement on Instagram just hours after the shake-up became public.

“Good news, everyone! In less than five years, nearly everyone who left the greatest combat team to form their own team has now left that team,” Ryan wrote. “Even people who didn’t leave have asked to rejoin Kingsway.”

Gordon criticized the internal dysfunction at B-Team, taking direct shots at Craig Jones’ alleged unhealthy lifestyle, lack of leadership, and the team’s questionable hiring decisions.

“Maybe it’s the fact that seeing Bigfoot on camera is a more likely catch than seeing the leader of the gym actually at the gym… or maybe it was their leader romanticizing cocaine and losing constantly,” Ryan continued.

“Or maybe it was hiring Dima Murovani—a complete unknown—to run a gym full of elite athletes. Or throwing both Rod boys under the bus for Instagram points.”

He further alleged that B-Team failed to build any new talent in five years:

“By their own admission, they give zero f***s about building new talent… They haven’t produced a single decent athlete outside the core group.”

What’s Next for Craig Jones?

As of now, Craig Jones has not issued a formal public statement about his departure or future plans. With ongoing speculation about his health and long-term ambitions—including a rumored interest in coaching international teams—many wonder if this signals a larger transition away from competition and gym leadership altogether.

BJJ’s Changing Power Dynamics

The fall of B-Team’s original structure and the rise of Kingsway under Gordon Ryan and John Danaher continue to reshape the competitive landscape in no-gi grappling. With over 50% of the original B-Team athletes gone, and new teams forming or re-aligning, 2025 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in the BJJ world.

Stay tuned for updates as the newly rebranded team announces its name, staff, and curriculum this August.

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