It appears the Tackett brothers will not be able to participate in the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) competition despite earlier indications to the contrary.
Craig Jones, CJI founder, confirmed this news on Reddit through his account. When asked directly if the Tacketts could compete in the invitational, Jones responded with a definitive:
“They cannot.”
This revelation comes as a significant shift from previous statements. When a fan inquired about their CJI participation status, William Tackett had reportedly stated they were “free to compete there” and would be “announcing some things about that soon” on his YouTube channel.
Jones provided further context on the situation, explaining:
“It was removed from grappler contracts on the reality show after I declined the coaching gig. It was verbally promised all year to us.”
The statement suggests that permission for UFC-contracted grapplers to participate in CJI events was initially included in agreements but later removed after Jones declined a coaching position with the UFC’s grappling reality series.
Jones also speculated about potential contractual restrictions, noting:
“If you become UFC grappling champion I’d imagine you’d have a champions clause.”
This development represents a significant shift in the professional landscape for the talented Tackett brothers, who have gained considerable recognition in the grappling world. Their absence from the Craig Jones Invitational will undoubtedly impact the competitive field and disappoint fans who were anticipating their participation.
Neither Andrew Tackett nor William Tackett have publicly commented on this latest development at the time of reporting.
