Mackenzie Dern recently explained her decision to leave ADCC 2024 to compete at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) instead.

The move surprised many in the grappling community, as Dern had just announced her return to professional grappling for the under 55kg division at ADCC 2024.
Instead, she opted to compete at CJI in a superfight with Ffion Davies.

In discussing the rivalry between CJI and ADCC, Dern said:

I think rivalry, rivalries in general and competition, is always good you know?
Because I think it kinda pushes each other, like the organizations, to kind of just keep building.

Explaining her decision, Dern highlighted the financial aspect:

Craig Jones (Invitational) it’s money…
Since I already have the ADCC title, since I have my UFC career, that’s a priority.

The Craig Jones (Invitational), how they offered like a big purse just for one superfight…

The ruleset and everything, it’s been like 7/8 years since I fought grappling so for me to have my comeback now the Craig Jones (Invitational) actually ended up being a style matchup very similar to MMA.

Dern also considered the impact on other competitors:

For me to pull out with two weeks left… to try and take someone’s dream of winning the ADCC title, it didn’t feel right you know

For the Craig Jones (Invitational) I have like a backup fight alternative fighter who is kinda like on hold if anything happens, and it’s just one fight.

She hopes the rivalry will improve the sport:

I hope they compete with each other honestly, with organizations, you know?

Fighters out of the way but the organizations, I hope they keep trying to beat each other and just getting better and better for the athletes.