In a scathing critique of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation’s emergency response protocols, Adam Jones, brother of BJJ superstar Craig Jones, has revealed disturbing details about the aftermath of his catastrophic leg injury at the 2017 Pan Pacific IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Tournament.
The incident, which has made Jones an unwitting internet sensation each October when graphic photos resurface online, left him with two broken bones and a dislocated ankle during a super heavyweight purple belt match against a judo black belt from Singapore.
“I broke two bones,” Jones explained in a video detailing the ordeal. “The tib and the fib, the tips snapped clean off, and I dislocated my ankle.”
The injury occurred when Jones attempted to pull guard for the third time in the match, leading his opponent to jump over his legs. “When someone’s a super heavyweight, they don’t jump, they fall,” Jones recounted. The opponent landed directly on Jones’ shin and, as he slid down, impacted his ankle, causing the severe dislocation and fractures.
What followed next has become the focus of Jones’ criticism toward the IBJJF. During a grueling 90-minute wait for medical assistance, Jones remained on the mats with his coach Lachlan Giles supporting his injured leg. According to Jones, the IBJJF’s first aid response was woefully inadequate.
“Look, I can’t not throw some shade at IBJJF. This is the type of organization they are,” Jones stated. “Their first aid guy – you know that’s a pretty horrific injury, don’t get me wrong – but the help that he offered was if I needed some tape, sports tape, for a broken leg.”
The injury’s severity, clearly visible in photos shared by his brother Craig, has made Adam Jones a reluctant celebrity in jiu-jitsu circles.
“Craig took a photo of it and sent it to Kit Dale. Now Kit Dale stole all my clout. He posted that, never tagged me,” Jones remarked with surprising humor about the viral images.
After the extended wait on the mats, Jones was finally transported to a hospital just over a kilometer away, though not by ambulance.
“The most expensive Uber I’ve ever had, that was like $1,200 to go a kilometer,” he noted.
Despite the severity of his injuries, Jones demonstrated remarkable resilience, returning to training within four months. Even more impressively, less than nine months post-injury, he competed again in a heavyweight division superfight.
“To be able to know that I came back from an injury like that was very important to me,” Jones reflected, adding that the experience has given him valuable perspective to share with his daughter. “When the inevitable happens and my daughter hurts herself, I’ll be able to say to her, ‘Hey, this is what your dad did rolling around on the ground pulling guard, and he came back.'”
Jones concluded his account with a lighthearted comparison to fellow practitioner Sebastian Attard, who recently suffered a similar injury: “You only broke one bone, okay? I broke two.”
The IBJJF has not issued any public response to Jones’ criticism of their first aid protocols during the 2017 incident.
