“Guys if you sign a contract with a 50% show 50% submission bonus. You’re being bent over and you deserve to be.”
The post further mocked promoters who try to entice athletes with promises of “exposure” rather than fair compensation:
“Hey I know the money isn’t good but we’re going to pay you in exposure.”
Jones’ comments highlight growing concerns among professional grapplers about payment structures that may leave athletes financially vulnerable if matches don’t end in definitive fashion.
This criticism comes at an interesting time as the UFC Invitational (FPI) has implemented a different payment model designed specifically to incentivize action and submissions.
Former UFC competitor and current FPI matchmaker Claudia Gadelha recently provided insight into their contract structure following UFC FPI 10:
“For us in the business side, we pay them almost the same amount of money to finish, than we pay for them to show,” Gadelha explained. “There’s only show money and finish money, there’s no win money. So you go out there, and you got to get a finish. So they kept fighting for their finish bonus.”
This payment approach appears deliberately designed to enhance entertainment value in professional grappling competitions. By incentivizing submissions over points, athletes are encouraged to maintain an aggressive approach throughout their matches, even when ahead on the scoreboard.
The FPI payment structure represents a significant departure from traditional BJJ tournaments, where point-based strategies often lead to passive and defensive grappling. Athletes who might otherwise play it safe to secure a decision victory now have substantial financial motivation to pursue submission finishes.
Jones, known for his no-nonsense approach both on and off the mat, has previously been vocal about the business side of professional grappling. His latest commentary adds to ongoing discussions about athlete compensation in combat sports and how payment structures influence competition style.
The grappling community appears divided on the issue. Some athletes appreciate the submission-focused bonus structure as it rewards the definitive finishes fans want to see. Others argue that wins by decision still require tremendous skill and strategy, and should be compensated accordingly.
Craig Jones reviously warned fellow athletes about the dangers of exclusive contracts in combat sports.
“Please for the love of God read your contracts. I cannot emphasize this enough,” Jones began in his PSA. His message highlights a critical issue in combat sports where athletes often lack the management infrastructure that exists in more established sports.
Jones points out that unlike other combat sports, jiu-jitsu athletes rarely have managers to review contractual details. “In other Combat Sports they have the luxury of managers. Those managers will read the contracts hopefully and make sure you’re not being over,” he stated.
The Australian grappler stressed what he calls “the golden rule in business” – not trusting the other party, especially sports promoters, whom he characterizes as “some of the least trustworthy people in all of business.”
A key point in Jones’ message was to be wary of organizations that emphasize brand association over financial compensation. “If any organization is trying to sell you the value of being attached to their name, they’re trying to pay you less money because they’re talking about the worth of the association with them,” he warned.
Drawing from his observations, Jones painted a gnarly picture: “I know plenty of people with names and faces on posters that have no money at all, and that’s the worst position to be in life – to be famous, people think you have money, but you really have no money.”
He advised athletes to push back against 100% exclusivity clauses by suggesting exceptions for charity events or competitions that would significantly grow the sport.
The jiu-jitsu star also criticized what he sees as hypocrisy in the sport: “Don’t grand stand about ster*ds while simultaneously signing contracts that allow organizations to monopolize the sport.” He referenced past issues with ADCC, claiming they were “selling massive amounts of tickets, getting massive amounts of views, and not paying any of the athletes.”
Jones concluded his PSA with a plea to protect the sport’s growth potential. He cautioned against signing deals that might restrict the sport’s development and limit earning opportunities for other athletes. “Our sport is not there yet,” he stated, suggesting that jiu-jitsu is only beginning to reach its growth potential.
UFC has announced their ‘investment’ in grappling but beyond words there’s surprisingly little behind the scenes.
