Craig Jones: The Polarizing & Elite Australian Grappler

Craig Jones, a name synonymous with BJJ and BJJ’s meme culture, is a grappler who has established himself as a household name in more ways than one. Hailing from Australia, Jones has become one of the most talked-about figures in the BJJ community. He is known for his technical prowess, unique approach to the sport, and outlandish personality, often leaving people speechless. His journey from a relatively average competitor to now one of the best grapplers in the sport is something to behold. Today, let’s talk about Craig Jones and his contributions to the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Early Life And Introduction To BJJ

Craig Jones was born on July 17, 1991, in Adelaide, South Australia. His introduction to BJJ started in 2006, with Craig training at his cousin’s academy. His tall stature and creative mind are excellent ingredients for a strong grappler; soon enough, his skills began to show. After reaching the purple belt, Craig Jones started training under the tutelage of Lachlan Giles, a highly respected coach in the Australian grappling scene and a future legend himself. Under Giles’s guidance, Craig’s overall game blossomed and was a critical step in his development as a competitor. Even today, it is safe to say that Lachlan Giles and Craig Jones are Australia’s most significant contributors and ambassadors of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Several years after getting his black belt from Giles, Craig Jones moved to the United States. He trained under John Danaher, another innovator of the art, and is arguably the greatest Jiu-Jitsu coach in the world. This is another crucial step in his development as he trained alongside the likes of Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, and other elite No-Gi competitors.

He has since left Danaher and is now part owner of the infamous B-Team based out of Austin, Texas. Along with him are former Danaher students and top-level grapplers Nicky Rodriguez, Nicky Ryan, and Ethan Crelinsten.

Rise To Distinction

Jones’s rise in the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was not quick, but it was marked by significant milestones that showcased his potential. One of his early breakthroughs came at the 2017 Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Championship, often considered the world’s most prestigious No-Gi grappling tournament. As a relatively unknown competitor, Jones stunned the BJJ community by defeating several high-profile opponents, including the legendary Leandro Lo.

This performance catapulted Jones into the limelight and established him as an immediate force in the grappling world. His technical proficiency, particularly in leg locks, became his trademark. From there, he continued his momentum and won many important events, including championships in Polaris, Submission Underground, and ADCC silver medals.

The Technical Innovator

Craig Jones is widely regarded as a technical innovator in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, particularly in the realm of leg locks. His approach to this aspect of BJJ has set him apart from many of his contemporaries. Jones’s leg lock game is characterized by his use of the Z half-guard as an entry point, allowing him to control and submit opponents with a high degree of efficiency. His success in applying these techniques against elite competition has garnered him numerous victories and contributed to a broader shift in the BJJ community’s acceptance and integration of leg locks into the competitive landscape.

In addition to his technical skills, Jones is known for his cerebral approach to the sport. He frequently analyzes matches and competitors, looking for patterns and weaknesses that he can exploit. This analytical mindset has made him a well-rounded grappler, capable of adapting to different styles and strategies.

Controversies And Polarizing Persona

While Craig Jones is celebrated for his skills on the mat, he is also a polarizing figure within the BJJ community. His outspoken nature and willingness to express his opinions have sometimes rubbed people the wrong way. Jones is known for his candid assessments of opponents and the state of the sport, which has led to both admiration and criticism.

His sense of humor is unique, to say the least, and it certainly makes an impression on most people. While his jokes can sometimes be on the verge of being offensive, we can’t deny that there are truths to them in most cases. Craig’s honesty and wit are qualities that made him the superstar that he is today.

The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI)

Let’s discuss Craig’s newest contribution to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu —  the CJI. The CJI or Craig Jones Invitational was a non-profit grappling event presented by the Fair Fight Foundation and it was an international submission grappling tournament held on August 16–17, 2024 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada in the United States. It is a high-profile submission grappling tournament composed of super fights and it consisted of 2 divisions — men’s under 80 kg and men’s over 80 kg. All the invited athletes received a minimum payout of $10,001, with the individual bracket winners getting $1 million each.

The tournament followed a Single-Elimination format with 32 participants, divided into two brackets of 16 competitors each. Victorious fighters advanced through the stages, progressing from the opening round to the Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, and ultimately, the Finals.

In the over 80 kg bracket finals, Nick Rodriguez secured a dominant win in the first round, submitting Fellipe Andrew with a rear-naked choke. Meanwhile, in the under 80 kg bracket finals, Kade Ruotolo won unanimously over Levi Jones-Leary after a hard-fought three-round battle.

The event also showcased two thrilling superfights. In the first, Ffion Davies squared off against Mackenzie Dern, where Davies claimed victory with a second-round armbar submission. The superfights concluded with a highly anticipated showdown between Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia, with Jones sealing the win via a rear-naked choke in the second round.

Essentially, the idea of creating the CJI came from the belief that athletes should be paid more, especially those at the very top of the sport. While a fast-growing martial art, becoming a competitor in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is still not as financially viable for most people. Training like a professional athlete is undoubtedly expensive, and unfortunately, becoming a BJJ competitor simply does not pay well, even in high-stakes tournaments like the IBJJF Worlds or ADCC. The Craig Jones Invitational seeks to fix this issue by allowing deserving athletes to compete for $1 million.

What’s Next For Craig Jones?

It is hard to predict what’s next when discussing guys like Craig Jones. But one thing is for sure: his antics are sure to capture the attention of the grappling community. And with the rate at which things are going, it looks like things are just beginning to heat up.

Whether loved or hated, Craig Jones is undeniably one of the most intriguing figures in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As he continues to push the boundaries of what is possible in the sport, he leaves an indelible mark on the martial arts community.

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