Grappling standout Magid Hage has decided to forgo his invitation to the prestigious ADCC World Championships in favor of competing in the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). This decision comes as the jiu-jitsu community buzzes with anticipation for both events, scheduled to take place on the same weekend.
Hage, who had received an invite for the ADCC -77kg division after an impressive showing at the West Coast trials, announced his decision on Instagram. “Got invited to the party… 1 of 16 grapplers to get chosen for the million dollar bracket!” Hage exclaimed, referencing the CJI’s unprecedented prize pool.
The grappler cited several reasons for his choice, including the allure of the million-dollar prize, a preference for the CJI ruleset, and the potential impact on the sport’s professionalism. “In all seriousness, there’s no doubt this movement will help raise the bar of professionalism in preparation and performances in events…and it’s about time,” Hage stated.
Interestingly, Hage’s participation came with one unique condition – the ability to compete in a plain t-shirt. A text exchange shared on social media shows Hage asking CJI promoter about wearing a t-shirt during competition, promotion ultimately approved the request.
This decision by Hage highlights the growing tension between traditional prestige and financial incentives in professional grappling. The CJI, offering a show money of $10,001 per competitor and a potential million-dollar grand prize, presents a stark contrast to the ADCC’s historical payouts.
As the grappling world watches this developing story, Hage’s choice may signal a shift in how top-tier athletes approach competition opportunities. With his trademark enthusiasm, Hage concluded, “Never been more motivated in my life!”
The jiu-jitsu community now eagerly awaits to see how this bold move will play out for Hage and what implications it may have for the future of professional grappling events.
