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Craig Jones Invitational

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Craig Jones Invitational
VenueThomas & Mack Center
LocationLas Vegas, Nevada, United States
DatesAugust 16–17, 2024
Websitehttps://fightfoundation.com

Craig Jones Invitational was an international submission grappling tournament held August 16–17, 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States.[1][2]

The winner in each weight division received $1 million prize money. The event was streamed live on YouTube for free,[3] and over 100,000 concurrent viewers watched on both days of competition.[4] The event also raised $500,000 for charity in the process.[5]

Background

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Craig Jones from B Team Jiu Jitsu is a two-time ADCC silver medalist. Disappointed with athlete pay at ADCC, he decided to host a tournament in which all invited athletes receive a higher minimum payout ($10,001) than the male winner of ADCC ($10,000).[6]

The two men's divisions scheduled for the tournament were under 80kg and over 80kg, and the winner of each bracket was to be awarded $1 million. Each men's division bracket had 16 competitors. Each participant received $10,001 for competing.[7]

On JRE MMA Show No. 157, an episode of Joe Rogan's podcast, Jones brought $1 million in cash to promote the tournament.[8]

A best submission bonus of $50,000 will be awarded.[9]

The dates and location were selected to overlap with ADCC 2024, which was held August 17–18, 2024 in Las Vegas.

Separate from the men's divisions, Craig Jones was scheduled to face Gabi Garcia in an intergender superfight, and Ffion Davies was scheduled to fight Mackenzie Dern in the women's superfight.[10] A superfight with Mikey Musumeci was also announced,[11] but ultimately did not occur due to a lack of a contractual agreement with Musumeci's planned opponent.[12] Mason Fowler was scheduled to fight in the over 80kg bracket but later withdrew from the competition due to injury.[13][14]

Results

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Over 80kg

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[15]

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final Winner
United States Nick Rodriguez United States Nick Rodriguez United States Nick Rodriguez United States Nick Rodriguez United States Nick Rodriguez
Brazil Max Gimenis
United Kingdom Owen Livesey United Kingdom Owen Livesey
Brazil Mahamed Aly
United States Adam Bradley United States Adam Bradley United States Adam Bradley
United States Kyle Boehm
United States Luke Rockhold United States Pat Downey
United States Pat Downey
Brazil Victor Hugo Australia Lucas Kanard Brazil Inacio Santos Brazil Fellipe Andrew
Australia Lucas Kanard
Brazil Inacio Santos Brazil Inacio Santos
Brazil Pedro Alex
United States Daniel Greg Kerkvliet Brazil Fellipe Andrew Brazil Fellipe Andrew
Brazil Fellipe Andrew
Brazil Joao Gabriel Rocha Brazil Joao Gabriel Rocha
United States William Tackett

Under 80kg

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[16]

First Round Quarterfinals Semifinals Final Winner
United States Tye Ruotolo United States Tye Ruotolo Australia Levi Jones-Leary Australia Levi Jones-Leary United States Kade Ruotolo
United States Jason Nolf
Ecuador Roberto Jimenez Australia Levi Jones-Leary
Australia Levi Jones-Leary
Brazil Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa Brazil Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa Brazil Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa
Japan Kenta Iwamoto
South Africa Jozef Chen South Africa Jozef Chen
United States Andy Varela
United States Kade Ruotolo United States Kade Ruotolo United States Kade Ruotolo United States Kade Ruotolo
Brazil Matheus Diniz
Brazil Renato Canuto Norway Tommy Langaker
Norway Tommy Langaker
Brazil Magid Hage United Kingdom Eoghan O’Flanagan United States Andrew Tackett
United Kingdom Eoghan O’Flanagan
United States Andrew Tackett United States Andrew Tackett
United States Nicky Ryan

Superfights

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References

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  1. ^ "Dates And Location Announced For Inaugural Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  2. ^ BJJ stars leave ADCC 2024 for $1M CJI prize MMA Uncensored, Anton Tabuena, May 30, 2024
  3. ^ "Craig Jones announces $2 million tournament on same weekend as ADCC". grapplinginsider. 2024-05-24.
  4. ^ Williams, Jackson. "Viewership Figures For Inaugural Craig Jones Invitational Announced". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  5. ^ de Souza, Diogo. "CJI Announces Over $500,000 Raised For Tap Cancer Out". Jits Magazine. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  6. ^ Jiu Jitsu Fighters Are Grappling With Exploitation Jacobin, Jack Bedrosian, June 2024
  7. ^ "Legendary Jiu-jitsu Star Craig Jones Waging War On ADCC With Competing Invitational Tournament". deadspin. 2024-06-01.
  8. ^ "Joe Rogan podcast guest flashes $1 million cash during interview to promote Jiu-Jitsu tournament: video". nypost. 2024-06-01.
  9. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational Announces $50,000 'Best Submission' Bonus". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-23.
  10. ^ UFC star Mackenzie Dern ‘couldn’t say no’ to Craig Jones Invitational paycheck MMA Mania, Alexander Behunin, August 11, 2024
  11. ^ "Full Updated Competitor List For The Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  12. ^ Jones, Phil. "Mikey Musumeci Is Out Of CJI Superfight". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 20 July 2024.
  13. ^ "Mason Fowler Leaves ADCC 2024 For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  14. ^ "Mason Fowler Withdraws From Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-07-27.
  15. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  16. ^ "Craig Jones Invitational 2024 Live Results, Play-by-play, Analysis, Highlights, More". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 17 August 2024.
  17. ^ "Ffion Davies Chooses Craig Jones Invitational Over ADCC 2024". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
  18. ^ "Mackenzie Dern Booked Against Ffion Davies At Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-13.
  19. ^ "Craig Jones Announces Intergender Match Against Gabi Garcia For Craig Jones Invitational". jitsmagazine. 2024-06-01.
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