The highly anticipated Craig Jones Invitational is finally upon us, and the Australian grappling superstar is making headlines for all the wrong reasons. During thestaredown with his opponent, nine-time ADCC champion Gabi Garcia, Jones decided to add a little personal touch to the proceedings by attempting to plant a kiss on Garcia.
The gesture, which was seemingly intended as a playful bit of showmanship, has quickly sparked outrage among the so-called “woke mob,” with many condemning Jones’ actions as disrespectful and inappropriate.
In a video clip of the incident, Jones can be seen leaning in towards Garcia, only to be rebuffed as the Brazilian swats him away. The exchange has since gone viral, with commentators across social media weighing in to criticize Jones’ behavior.
Despite the backlash, Jones remains undeterred, having placed a $100,000 bet on a win via his signature leg lock submission. The CJI event, which features a host of talented grapplers competing over the next two nights, is poised to be a thrilling showcase of the sport’s elite.
Even high-profile mixed martial arts star like Mackenzie Dern couldn’t resist the lure of the CJI, with the UFC contender signing on to compete at the event. With serious money on the line, the competition promises to be fierce, and Jones will be hoping to silence his critics with a dominant performance.
Getting kissed at weigh ins isn’t actually all that surprising – it’s just that it’s treated a bit differently when it’s two men.
While there were initially rumors about the match being cancelled, we’ve confirmed the match is going ahead and Garcia harbors no ill will towards Craig.
