Craig Jones has revealed that Pedigo Submission Fighting, better known as Daisy Fresh, will be competing at the upcoming CJI 2 event.
Jones expressed his enthusiasm for the team’s participation, highlighting their remarkable journey from humble beginnings to becoming one of the most recognized names in jiu-jitsu.
“This is one thing I can give credit where credit’s due. FloGrappling blew these guys up. These guys are a true underdog story,” Jones stated.
The Daisy Fresh phenomenon gained widespread attention after being featured in a documentary series that captured the team training in challenging conditions at a converted laundromat in a small town.
The Daisy Fresh squad for CJI 2 will be led by coach Heath Pedigo and includes Jacob “Hillbilly Hammer” Couch, Dante Leon, Michael Pixley, Brandon Reed, and Max Hansen. Jones expressed particular appreciation for Leon‘s participation, noting that ONE Championship had given permission for their athlete to compete in the event.
“Dante Leon has been given permission by Tom DeBlass and Chatri to participate in this event and I am eternally grateful that they’re allowing their athletes,” Jones said, acknowledging the risk organizations take when allowing their signed competitors to participate in external events.
Jones spoke particularly fondly of Jacob Couch, the “Hillbilly Hammer,” describing him as integral to the Daisy Fresh identity.
“Hillbilly through the Daisy Fresh series is really like a true underdog story. We really caught a lot of his authentic self in that show,” Jones said. “Throughout his career everyone developed quite a strong attachment to the Hillbilly and became invested in his journey in jiu-jitsu.”
The addition of Daisy Fresh to CJI 2 represents another major team commitment to Jones‘s event, which he describes as a “Super Bowl style event” for grappling that offers athletes unprecedented earning opportunities while being freely accessible to fans on YouTube.
