Craig Jones just dropped a bombshell on his Instagram – he claims he’ll be coaching opposite Gordon Ryan on the first season of The Ultimate Grappler!
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Years ago, the two were not just training partners – they were teammates, even relocating together to Puerto Rico during the height of the Danaher Death Squad era.
They’ve logged an incredible amount of time on the mats with one another.
But since the team split, things have soured publicly and dramatically.
Putting them in opposing coaching roles sets the stage for what could be one of the most exciting seasons of reality-based martial arts television.
A project like this, funded by the UFC, has been in the works for over a year according to reports.
And with UFC President Dana White floating the idea of a grappling-focused reality show, expectations have been high.
The Ultimate Fighter once helped launch MMA into the mainstream – so this could be grappling’s equivalent moment.
Originally, it looked like Gordon Ryan would be matched up with Mikey Musumeci as a rival coach, which would have made for a fun dynamic in its own right.
But pitting him against Jones takes the concept to another level.
The personal history, the tension, the online jabs… It’s a goldmine for engagement.
A showdown between them, should it happen at the end of the season, would be one of the biggest spectacles in Jiu-Jitsu.
Of course, Jones has a long track record of trolling. So, until there’s official confirmation, some skepticism remains.
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