Craig Jones has been making waves in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community with his bold move to organize the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) on the same weekend as the prestigious ADCC World Championships.
This decision has sparked controversy and debate within the grappling world, prompting Jones to shed light on his motivations behind this strategic scheduling.
At the heart of Jones’ decision lies a profound desire to address what he perceives as a systemic issue in the sport: inadequate athlete compensation. “Ultimately, what I want and what I wanted from day one was just athletes across everything in Jiu-Jitsu to be compensated just a little bit more,” Jones explained in his JRE interview.
The CJI, backed by $3 million in funding and hosted by the Fair Fight Foundation, offers a groundbreaking show money of $10,001 per competitor. This figure dwarfs the traditional payouts seen in most BJJ tournaments, including the ADCC, which has historically offered $10,000 to division winners with no show money for participants.
Jones’ vision extends beyond simply hosting a lucrative event. He aims to prove that it’s possible to run a successful tournament while prioritizing athlete compensation. “My point will be to try and prove that you can do it and you can compensate the athletes,” he stated. By scheduling the CJI on the same weekend as the ADCC, Jones forces athletes to make a choice between prestige and financial gain, believing that “it’s money” that holds more value.
The timing of the events has indeed created a dilemma for many high-profile grapplers. While some, like Mica Galvao, have chosen to compete at the ADCC despite the potential million-dollar prize at stake in the CJI, others have been swayed by the prospect of significant earnings.
This competition for talent has reportedly led the ADCC to increase its own compensation, with Jones claiming that they are now offering show money ranging from $2,500 to $100,000, along with non-disclosure agreements.
Jones emphasized that his intentions are not rooted in malice towards the ADCC. Instead, he views the CJI as a catalyst for change, potentially leading to the establishment of a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting athletes’ interests.
He envisions keeping the event affordable and accessible, drawing from his own experiences as a young grappler who struggled to support himself being a professional in the sport.
The Australian black belt also highlights the growth of BJJ and the untapped financial potential within the sport. “The sport is growing. So there is some money in it,” he previously told Chris Williamson, pointing to revenue streams such as instructionals, seminars, and social media engagement. He argues that while the audience and money exist, they often don’t find their way back to the competitors in meaningful amounts.
Critics, like Mica Galvao’s father Melqui, have voiced concerns about the scheduling conflict. However, Jones remains steadfast in his belief that this bold move was necessary to ignite a conversation about fair compensation in BJJ.
As the grappling community watches closely, the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational, set for August 16th and 17th at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, stands as a testament to Jones’ commitment to disrupting the status quo. The tickets reportedly go on sale Monday.
