The grappling world received surprising news today as Daniel “Big Dan” Manasoiu announced his withdrawal from the highly anticipated Craig Jones Invitational 2 citing a devastating Lyme disease diagnosis that has left him unable to compete at the elite level required for the tournament.
In an emotional video statement, Manasoiu revealed the heartbreaking circumstances behind his decision.
“A couple weeks ago I got diagnosed with Lyme disease,”
he explained, his voice heavy with disappointment.
“I don’t even know when I got it but I got the dreaded red ring with a bump in the middle and had all the symptoms of it and they’re like yeah you got Lyme disease.”
The timing couldn’t be worse for the accomplished grappler who described his current condition in stark terms:
“To say that I’m sick right now is an understatement.”
Despite aggressive medical intervention including high-dose antibiotics, ozone therapy and NAD+ treatments, Manasoiu found himself losing a battle against time and illness.
“I’m fighting an uphill battle that I can’t win in time to be ready to perform for CJI,”
Manasoiu admitted, his frustration evident. The withdrawal represents not just a personal setback but a significant blow to what many consider one of the most important tournaments in submission grappling.
Manasoiu was visibly emotional as he addressed the impact of his withdrawal:
“I’m really sorry to everybody who this affects. I’m sorry for letting my team down. I’m sorry to CJI and Craig.”
He emphasized that the situation was entirely beyond his control stating,
“There’s genuinely nothing that I could have done to prevent this or change this.”
The bitter irony of the timing wasn’t lost on him who reflected on the cruel nature of the circumstances:
“Sometimes life just throws some s** at you that you could have never predicted… like getting Lyme disease a month before one of the biggest events.”
While his withdrawal creates a significant void in the tournament lineup, speculation has immediately turned to potential replacements. Social media buzz suggests that Craig Jones himself may step in to fill the vacancy, with cryptic posts from the tournament organizer hinting at his possible participation. In characteristic fashion, Jones posted simply,
“I need the cash,”
fueling rumors about his involvement as a competitor rather than just the event’s mastermind.
The potential addition of Jones as a competitor would add an unexpected twist to his own invitational creating a unique dynamic where the tournament’s creator becomes an active participant in the competition he designed.
Manasoiu’s withdrawal serves as a reminder of how quickly circumstances can change in professional athletics. His dedication to attempting recovery was evident as he described giving
“everything I could to try and be in shape and compete in this tournament,”
but ultimately having to accept that his health wouldn’t cooperate.
The Craig Jones Invitational 2 will proceed without one of its anticipated stars but if rumors prove true fans may witness the unprecedented spectacle of the tournament’s founder stepping onto the mats to compete in his own creation.
CJI 2 date is closer and closer. Event is happening at the Thomas and Mack arena in Las Vegas on August 30th and 31st.
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: Craig Jones *unconfirmed
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
