Craig Jones has annunced UFC veteran and BJJ No-Gi Purple Belt World Champion Luke Rockhold will participate in the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). So far, reigning ADCC female champion Ffion Davies has also confirmed her participation, opting for CJI over ADCC. Additionally, ADCC US Trials winners William and Andrew Tackett have joined the lineup. This highly anticipated event will take place in Las Vegas, coinciding with the ADCC weekend.
The CJI features two 16-man brackets, each with a million-dollar prize for the champions. This initiative emerged after Craig Jones announced he would not compete in ADCC 2024, citing inadequate prize money as a primary criticism. Despite being the world’s most prestigious no-gi grappling tournament, ADCC offers just $10,000 for winning a men’s weight class, a figure unchanged for decades.
The Craig Jones Invitational aims to make a bold statement against ADCC, evident in its timing and location. The event will be held at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, the same venue that hosted ADCC 2022. Scheduled for August 16th and 17th, 2024, the final day of CJI coincides with the first day of ADCC. In addition to the million-dollar prizes, Jones announced a guaranteed purse of $10,000 for every competitor, providing a significant incentive for elite grapplers to participate.
With more stars expected to announce their participation in the coming weeks, the grappling community is buzzing with anticipation. The CJI’s impressive roster and substantial financial rewards raise questions about the future of ADCC and its ability to retain its position as the premier no-gi grappling tournament. Who will be the next big name to join CJI, and how will ADCC respond to this new challenger? The grappling world eagerly awaits the answers.
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