Lucas Kanard has been announced as the replacement for Mason Fowler in the over 80kg division of the upcoming Combat Jiu-Jitsu Invitational (CJI). Kanard, known for his impressive credentials including an ADCC Trials Asia and Oceania gold medal and an AJP World Pro bronze medal, brings a formidable skillset to the competition.
Kanard, who was originally set to make his ADCC debut in the 88kg division, expressed mixed emotions about the opportunity. In a statement, he said, “As gutted as I am to miss the drummers on my walkout, it’ll be nice to afford my daughter’s braces when she finally gets some teeth. Good or bad, this is going to be spectacular.”
The mention of drummers in Kanard’s statement highlights a point of contention within the grappling community. ADCC has been known to invest heavily in production spectacles, such as elaborate walkouts, while athletes compete for relatively modest prize purses of $10,000.
Kanard’s entry into the CJI over 80kg division comes after an impressive performance at the ADCC Asian trials, where he secured his spot at ADCC worlds with dominant victories. Known for his well-rounded game and finishing ability, Kanard’s participation adds an exciting element to the CJI lineup.
The replacement of Fowler had been the subject of speculation in recent days. Initially, there were rumors that UFC heavyweight Curtis Blaydes might step in. However, following Blaydes’ recent knockout loss to Tom Aspinall, it appears that negotiations with CJI did not materialize.
Another name floated as a potential replacement was Sloan Clymer. However, Clymer seems to be focusing on his mixed martial arts career, having recently made a successful professional debut.
Kanard expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating, “I’d like to say a huge thank you to Craig and everyone who made this happen. Anyone who provides an opportunity like this will always find a friend in me.”
As the grappling community eagerly anticipates this event, all eyes will be on Kanard to see how he performs in this high-stakes competition against some of the world’s top practitioners in the over 80kg division.
