Grappling star Craig Jones has issued a stark warning to fellow athletes about certain contract structures, specifically targeting the UFC’s payment model.
“Guys if you sign a contract with a 50% show 50% submission bonus. You’re being bent over and you deserve to be,” Jones stated bluntly in the latest update video. The Australian grappler further mocked promoters who attempt to entice athletes with non-monetary benefits: “Hey I know the money isn’t good but we’re going to pay you in exposure.”
Jones elaborated on his concerns in a video discussion, comparing such contracts to hypothetical scenarios in other combat sports. “Think about if you offered a contract for a boxing match and you lost half your money unless you knock the guy out, or if you offered a contract for a wrestling match and you were offered half the money unless you pin the guy,” Jones explained.
He specifically cautioned grapplers to be wary of organizations whose audiences may not appreciate the technical aspects of grappling. “If the audience of that boos grappling and wrestling exchanges, do you think they’re going to care? Do you think there’s going to be any crossover from a group of people that boo grappling?”
This criticism comes at an interesting time as the UFC has announced plans to invest in grappling, though Jones suggests there’s “surprisingly little behind the scenes” to support this claim.
By contrast, Jones highlighted that the UFC Invitational (FPI) has implemented a different payment structure. Former UFC competitor and current FPI matchmaker Claudia Gadelha recently explained their approach: “For us in the business side, we pay them almost the same amount of money to finish, than we pay for them to show. 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.”
This isn’t the first time Jones has spoken out about contractual issues in combat sports. In a previous public service announcement, he urged fellow athletes: “Please for the love of God read your contracts. I cannot emphasize this enough.” He pointed out that unlike other sports, jiu-jitsu athletes rarely have managers to review contractual details.
Jones has been particularly critical of exclusivity clauses, advising athletes to push back against 100% exclusivity by suggesting exceptions for charity events or competitions that would help grow the sport.
“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 in his earlier statement.
The outspoken grappler concluded his recent message by reminding athletes that there are “bigger organizations that do compensate well and do actually have surprisingly good contracts,” encouraging them to reject unfavorable terms: “If somebody presents you with an absurd 50/50 contract tell them to go [expletive] themselves.”
Jones’ comments have resonated within the grappling community, which appears divided on the issue. Some athletes appreciate submission-focused bonus structures as they reward the definitive finishes fans want to see, while others argue that wins by decision still require tremendous skill and strategy and should be compensated accordingly.
Considering the community’s reaction to Flograppling practices, Jones has an uphill battle if he’s planning to sign CJI 2 to Flo’s shoddy service.
