A professional grappler from the Pedigo submission team has voiced strong support for the ADCC while criticizing Craig Jones’ recent actions and statements regarding fighter pay and competition structure.
The grappler, Jon Hansen, who competed in ADCC 2019 and 2022, shared a pointed message addressing the ongoing controversy between ADCC and Craig Jones’ Invitational (CJI). Hansen’s post paints a picture of stability and growth within the grappling community prior to recent events:
“REWIND 3MONTHS: –No one is complaining about ‘fighter pay’ — The ADCC is the gold standard world championship in the sport of grappling. — Mo is the guy that brought this sport to the point where it had the POTENTIAL to be viewed by people who don’t compete in it. — Craig Jones was still known as the guy who made his legacy on his 3 performances at the ADCC.”
Mettle suggests that the landscape changed dramatically when “Some guy has an axe to grind, gets a handout, starts an NPO, and all of a sudden the entire world is different.” However, he argues that this perception is false, stating, “Except it isn’t. It’s the same world. Nothing’s changed, except some guy believes he’s found a better avenue for personal success by lighting a match instead of laying bricks.”
The post seems to imply that Jones’ recent actions, including his efforts to launch a competing invitational event and his advocacy for increased grappler pay, are motivated more by personal gain than concern for the sport’s overall well-being. Which is an interesting take considering Jones is competing for free, and all proceeds from the event go to charity.
Interestingly, Hansen’s stance comes despite his own relatively low profile in the sport. With a tiny social media account, three ADCC appearances haven’t significantly boosted his career or sponsorship opportunities. He’s far from a household name, even in the BJJ communtiy.
Meanwhile, the grappling community has seen tangible changes in response to the ongoing debate. ADCC has recently increased pay for women’s divisions to match men’s, addressing a disparity that saw previous champions like Ffion Davies earning just $6,000 for winning her division. Additionally, ADCC has introduced show money for competitors, a first in its history, with reported amounts ranging from $2,500 to $100,000.
Craig Jones, for his part, has announced securing financing for his CJI event planned for 2025 and continues to gain traction on social media platforms.
Hasnon concludes his post with a pointed message: “If you need help figuring out who the bad guy is, just remember: the same guys who built their brand on their ADCC performances and their online bullying are now trying to burn down the ADCC for personal gain.”
ADCC has certainly invested in grappling for years but Hansen fails to see that the goal isn’t to burn down the ADCC, but to change some of their archaic ideas about compensation and event production through public opinion and competition.
