Craig Jones hosted one of the most viral grappling tournaments this past weekend. His tournament, CJI (Craig Jones Invitational), aimed to improve pay for BJJ athletes and directly compete with the ADCC. Jones and Gordon Ryan have not been on good terms with each other for years. Now, the Aussie BJJ athlete makes a serious accusation about Ryan and UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones.
CJI Submissions Grappling at Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas propelled Jiu-Jitsu and intergender sports to new heights. The ADCC Tournament took shape a day after (August 18th, 2024. Gordon Ryan edged out Yuri Simoes en route to a 21-0 victory on points. Given that the two tournaments would clash, Jones accused the ADCC of paying the UFC champion money to watch the tournament over CJI.
The cu*t literally got paid 50 racks to show up and watch you mate, you don’t have any fu*king friends. ADCC that’s pathetic that you’d pay Jon Jones to watch you compete, oof.
Craig Jones in a ssince-deleted reel via Instagram (@craigjonesbjj)
CJI had many notables competing, including Kade Ruotolo, Luke Rockhold, and Mackenzie Dern. Flyweight G.O.A.T. candidate Demetrious Johnson was seen front row dapping up Rockhold. Nate Diaz had a funny staredown on the first day. Merab Dvalishvili also went viral during the first day of the event.
For the purpose of a one-up, perhaps, Ryan posted a photo of him and UFC champion Jon Jones. The decorated BJJ athlete captioned it as all his friends were in attendance to watch him make history. In a since-deleted reel, the other Jones fired back, saying he was paid to.
If true, the implications are subsequently not that dire. It is very common in MMA cultures but highlights the margins of their enmity. After the success of the CJI Day 1 Superfight, Craig Jones admitted that he would do it again despite alleged death threats from ADCC organizers. As such, there is just no end to this rivalry yet.
Craig Jones leaks Gordon Ryan DMs after ADCC vs CJI weekend
CJI went head-to-head with Gordon Ryan and the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) this Saturday and Sunday. The Jones/Ryan rivalry has been one of the big topics in the jiu-jitsu community for the past few years. Without the nature of physicality that ends even prime kinds of beef in MMA, the submissions grappling legends only have their online barbs to fall back on.
Gordon Ryan and Craig Jones scuffle online (Source: jitsmagazine.com/boxemag.com)Craig Jones left the ADCC tournament after expressing dissatisfaction with the anemic pay scale. Moreover, his effort to dole out a pair of million-dollar paydays in the submission grappling bracket of all things, not UFC or boxing, has earned praise.
CJI also streamed live on YouTube, generating 3.18 million views. Jones defeated four-time ADCC gold medalist and six-time IBJJF world champion Gabi Garcia this weekend. In the fallout, the South Australian native barbed with Gordon online. The messages may have even touched a sensitive subject.
ADCC is biennial, and Jones might plan another CJI tournament when ADCC returns in 2026. Maybe Jon Jones might make another appearance as well. Additionally, the Jones rivalry may soon be put to bed as Ryan continues to flirt with retirement due to health issues. Till then, though, they are no-hold bars swinging at each other online or not.
