Wrestling standout and newly promoted Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt Pat Downey has confirmed his invitation to the CJI 2, set to take place in August 2025. Downey is eager to redeem himself and prove his mettle after a controversial outcome in his previous appearance.
“It’s not just opinionated, you know, but regardless, I’ve gotten so much better from that. It was a great learning experience,” Downey said in an interview. “They’ve already told me I’m in it, so I’m ready to go CJI 2 in August. I’m definitely going to run that back and, you know, redeem myself and get that million. That’ll feel good.”
Downey’s unique position as an independent competitor allows him the flexibility to pursue opportunities across various promotions.
“I’ve intentionally not signed any exclusive deals. I have an exclusive deal with Theis, but that’s only in London, so I compete only for players in the United Kingdom. Other than that, I’m a free agent. I’m my own entity. I’ll go wrestle, I’ll go grapple with Fury, and then I’ll go to Spokane Submission in Washington,” he explained.
“If UFC Fight Pass wants me on, if FLo Grappling wants me on, if ONE Championship wants me on, I’m not in an exclusive deal, so CJI is definitely happening again.”
Broader Aspirations and UFC Grappling League
When asked about his potential involvement with the UFC’s evolving grappling initiatives, Downey shared his perspective. “I don’t know exactly what their plans are,” he admitted. “I keep hearing different things about it. I mean, I just watched Nicki Rod and Pixley on that Fight Pass card, so I know they’re putting on professional matches. I heard something about a reality TV show.”
The possibility of blending his grappling expertise with broader MMA platforms remains an intriguing prospect for Downey, who continues to forge a path as one of the most dynamic and versatile competitors in the grappling world.
Downey Reflects on Past CJI Experience
Reflecting on his earlier experience at the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Invitational, Downey emphasized the importance of clearer judging criteria. “I really hope they have a more clearly defined rule set for the judges and the fans and the scoring,” he said. “Maybe they add some points to make it a public scoring so we know who’s winning and losing. It’s not just opinionated.”
Despite his critiques, Downey has taken valuable lessons from his previous CJI appearance, using it as a stepping stone to refine his skills. “I’ve gotten so much better from that. It was a great learning experience,” he noted. This determination underscores his readiness to make a strong comeback at CJI 2 in August.
Pat Downey’s Vision Beyond CJI
Downey’s ambitions extend well beyond his upcoming CJI appearance. In addition to his active grappling schedule, Downey is also focused on competing monthly and pursuing rapid advancement through the belt ranks in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. “I’m really refining myself as an athlete,” Downey stated in an earlier interview. “My vision is to become the fastest black belt ever.”
