The Brazilian jiu-jitsu Mica Galvao‘s journey to the Craig Jones Invitational 2 mat reads like a story of perfect timing and second chances. When the call came offering him a spot in the 77-kilogram division, Mica Galvao didn’t hesitate for a moment.
“It’s just something that I got the call out, they said hey Mica, we have a spot at 77 kilos, do you want to hop in? I’m like yeah, I couldn’t participate on the first CJI, let’s go for the second one and look for that million for the team,”
Galvao explained in a recent interview.
The timing couldn’t have been more serendipitous. While other elite competitors were tied up with conflicting commitments or dealing with injuries, Galvao found himself in the perfect position to accept what many consider one of the most prestigious invitations in modern grappling.
His absence from the inaugural CJI event last year still weighs on his mind. The young competitor admits he felt the sting of missing out on something special while watching the tournament unfold from the sidelines.
“I was crazy packed, I thought that I really missed out on something as far as like going and participating on a crazy bracket but also I was fighting ADCC, I was trying to go for my Grand Slam, I was able to accomplish so now I’m available and I’m going for it now,”
he reflected.
That Grand Slam pursuit proved worthwhile, as Galvao successfully achieved one of grappling’s most coveted accomplishments. However, the satisfaction of that achievement came with the bittersweet realization of what he had sacrificed to attain it. The inaugural CJI showcased some of the most exciting and innovative competition formats the sport had ever seen leaving many wondering how different the landscape might have looked with Galvao in the mix.
Craig Jones, the tournament’s mastermind, had previously described his efforts to recruit Galvao in characteristically theatrical terms, painting a picture of an epic quest through Brazil’s wilderness. The promoter’s persistence finally paid off when circumstances aligned for the sequel event.
Now, as CJI 2 approaches the Thomas and Mack arena in Las Vegas on August 30th and 31st, Galvao represents New Wave‘s wildcard selection. His participation brings additional star power to an already stacked field and his fresh availability after achieving his Grand Slam creates a compelling narrative of an athlete with nothing left to prove but everything left to win.
The million-dollar prize pool adds substantial stakes to every match but for Galvao, the opportunity represents something deeper than financial reward. It’s a chance to test himself against the world’s best in an environment that celebrates both technical excellence and entertainment value.
CJI 2 complete roster:
CJI 2: Full list of confirmed competitors, team rosters, card matches
Craig Jones vs. Gable Stevenson
$100,000 Four-Woman Tournament
Helena Crevar — Polaris and WNO Champion
Adele Fornarino — 2024 ADCC double gold medalist
Ana Carolina Vieira — 2024 ADCC Champion 6x IBJJF World Champ
Sarah Galvao — 2025 IBJJF Grand Slam Winner (Brown Belt)
$1 million, Eight-Team Tournament
BJJ coach Eddie Bravo at the UFC Invitational 2
Eddie Bravo will coach the 10th Planet team at CJI 2 Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC
10th Planet Roster
66 kg: Geo Martinez — 3x EBI champ
77 kg: Alan Sanchez — 2024 EBI champ
88 kg: PJ Barch — ADCC 2024 Bronze
99 kg: Ryan Aitken — 2024 PGF champ
+99 kg: Kyle Boehm — 2022 ADCC trials winner
Coach: Eddie Bravo
New Wave Roster
66 kg: Dorian Olivarez — 2023 ADCC trials winner
77 kg: Mica Galvao — 2024 Super Grand Slam Champion
88 kg: Giancarlo Bodoni — Two-time ADCC world champion
99 kg: Luke Griffith — 2024 ADCC silver medalist
+99 kg: Dan Manasoiu — 2023 ADCC trials winner
Coach: John Danaher
B-Team Roster
66 kg: Ethan Crelinsten — Polaris champ
77 kg: Jozef Chen — 2023 ADCC Trials winner
88 kg: Chris Wojcik — 2024 PGF Silver medalist
99 kg: Nick Rodriguez — CJI 1 openweight champion
+99 kg: Victor Hugo — 5-time IBJJF world champion (Wild card pick)
Coach: Nicky Ryan
Atos Roster
66 kg: Diego Pato — 6-time IBJJF World Champ (Wild card pick)
77 kg: Ronaldo Junior — 2023 IBJJF No Gi World Champion
88 kg: Lucas Barbosa — 6-time IBJJF world champion
99 kg: Kaynan Duarte — Reigning ADCC Double Champion
+99 kg: Felipe Pena — 2-time ADCC World Champion
Coach: Andre Galvao
Daisy Fresh
66 kg: Max Hanson — 2024 IBJJF No Gi Pan Champion
77 kg: Dante Leon — 2024 ADCC Absolute Bronze
88 kg: Jacob Couch — 2023 ADCC Trials Winner
99 kg: Michael Pixley — NCAA Div 2 Wrestling Champion
+99 kg: Brandon Reed — NAIA Wrestling Champion
Coach: Heath Pedigo
Team Australasia Roster
66 kg: Fabricio Andrey (Wild card pick) — 2021 IBJJF world champion
77 kg: Kenta Iwamoto — 3-time ADCC trials winner (Levi Jones-Leary — CJI 1 finalist)
88 kg: Lucas Kanard — 2024 ADCC trials winner
99 kg: Declan Moody (CJI 2 Trials winner) — 2024 ADCC trials winner
+99 kg: Belal Etiabari (CJI 2 Trials 2nd place)
Coach: Lachlan Giles
Team Americas Roster
66 kg: Gavin Corbe
77 kg: Deandre Corbe — 2025 Sapateiro Invitational champ
88 kg: Elijah Dorsey — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner
99 kg: Taylor Pearman — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner (Wild card pick)
+99 kg: Pat Downey — 2019 US National Wrestling champ
Coach: Greg Souders
Team Europe Roster
66 kg: Owen Jones — 2023 ADCC Trials winner
77 kg: Pawel Jaworski (CJI 2 EU Trials winner)
88 kg: Paul Ardila (CJI 2 EU Trials winner / Wild Card Pick)
99 kg: Charles Negromonte — 2024 ADCC Trials winner
+99 kg: Marcin Maciulewicz (CJI 2 EU Trials winner)
Coach: Faris Benlamkadem
