Melqui Galvao, coach of top grappling phenoms Mica Galvao and Diogo Reis, has revealed that despite receiving an invitation from Craig Jones to compete for $1 million at his new Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) event, Mica will not be participating.
In a translated statement, Melqui explained “We really received the invitation for Mica [Craig Jones], from [the CJI event]. As I was talking there, I think his idea is fantastic. Give a million dollars for -80kg category and give a million dollars for the over 80 category. It will make the competition better, it will make the sport grow.”
However, Melqui went on to say “I just don’t agree that it should be the same date as the ADCC. I think if he booked it a week later, it would be perfect.”
The timing conflict appears to be the key issue preventing the 20-year-old Mica, who Melqui believes “will compete at least until 35” with “a career of at least 15 years”, from entering the inaugural CJI event.
Melqui firmly stated “This year, Mica will win the ADCC”, indicating the focus is on Mica winning his first ADCC title rather than chasing the CJI’s $1 million prize. For the Galvao camp, capping his Grand Slam in gi with a gold at ADCC appears to take precedence over the massive one-off CJI payout.
The decision is a potential blow to Craig Jones and his ambitious CJI event, as losing a transcendent talent like Mica Galvao diminishes the depth of competition.
Galvao seemed to not even question that Reis will be competing in the ADCC as the reigning champion. It’s worth noting that as the -66kg ADCC champion Reis might’ve been at a bigger disadvantage had he gotten a CJI invite than Mica who competes at -77kg.
Jones has been outspoken about increasing transparency around compensating athletes, contrasting his approach against the alleged behind-the-scenes “show money” payouts that he criticized.
But for now, the grappling world will have to wait to see Mica Galvao potentially compete for a $1 million payout, as the phenom focuses his efforts on defending his ADCC crown in 2024 per his father’s stated plans.
