In a podcast episode, BJJ star Craig Jones has lifted the lid on a little-known loophole he exploited to avoid being locked into a restrictive contract with leading grappling media platform Flograppling.
Jones, known for his entertaining highlight reels and work as a pro grappler at major events like ADCC, recounted how Flograppling had approached him about competing in matches for their platform. The deal offered a lucrative purse, but came with strings attached.
“They wanted me to sign this multi-fight contract, but I wasn’t comfortable with that,” Jones explained. “I told them I needed at least two months’ notice to clear my schedule and get a proper training camp together for any matches.”
However, Flograppling proved resistant to Jones’ request, leaving it until the last minute to send over the bout agreement. This proved to be a crucial mistake on their part.
“One of the Flograppling guys, Ricardo Ammendolia, let slip that the contract actually doesn’t begin until you sign the first bout agreement,” Jones revealed. “So I never ended up signing anything – I just told them I wasn’t ready in time and that was that. No contract!”
Jones chuckled as he described outwitting the media giants. “I guess they didn’t realize they were giving away that little loophole. But hey, I’m not complaining – it allowed me to keep my options open instead of being tied down.”
The Australian grappler’s ability to sidestep Flograppling’s attempts to monopolize his services is a testament to his sharp business acumen. It also highlights the importance of understanding the fine print in any contractual dealings, especially for athletes navigating the often opaque world of professional grappling.
Jones didn’t stop there when he talked about his dealings with ‘Flo’ and suggested pro grapplers stop subscribing to them.
“I was thinking of telling people to cancel their FloGrappling subscriptions, but then I realized that could get me in trouble legally,” Jones admitted. “As much as I have my personal issues with how they operate, I can’t in good conscience tell people to unsubscribe, as that could be seen as interference with their business.”
He concluded: ” I can’t just tell people to stop supporting them, even if I think it would be better for the sport.”
