Craig Jones confirmed ithat the Craig Jones Invitational 3 has been cancelled. When asked about the status of the event he responded:
“cancelled. Decided to keep the money.”
The announcement comes during a turbulent period in professional jiu jitsu as UFC BJJ continues to search for traction and the sport’s financial model remains under pressure.
Craig Jones previously positioned CJI as a competitor to ADCC with large prize payouts, but in recent comments he expressed frustration with running events.
“The sad clown. I can’t be take seriously. Give me a reason to do it again? Tell me how to do it again, given the contracts? It’s my money to do whatever I want with, I put my life on hold for these events.”
He also said he is shifting focus toward developing a show to sell, describing it as more fulfilling.
He rejected one suggested idea about Thailand by referencing personal circumstances:
“My ex is there. That’s a no go.”
The financial outcome of CJI 2 was described by Craig Jones as breaking even.
“For the record, CJI 2 broke the f**k even,”
“If anyone is telling me we lost money, go f**k yourself.”
Despite that, he indicated that breaking even is not enough to justify continuing.
Craig Jones also criticized UFC BJJ’s move toward open tournaments for amateur competitors.
“Yeah, everyone can be a UFC champion now. Incredible. The professional model didn’t work, so we went back to the amateurs. Take all the money from the amateurs, pay for the pros, steal no d**g testing, and you just maybe might be a UFC BJJ open world champion and get paid to compete on the UFC BJJ circuit for three (thousand) f**king dollars on an exclusive contract.”
He further commented on what he sees as the sport’s revenue approach.
“More extortion of the 35-year-old TRT dad that wants to impress his ex-wife and his kids he sees once a week.”
He suggested the UFC is borrowing from both his model and IBJJF structures.
“Bravo, bravo,”
UFC BJJ recently featured Mikey Musumeci in a main event against Kevin Dantzler, a matchup that drew attention within the community. The event’s viewership reportedly peaked at 15,000 live viewers with a drop to around 6,000 during broadcast.
Musumeci later revealed he competed while dealing with a staph infection.
Some within the community have raised concerns about matchmaking quality and overall interest in the product as UFC BJJ attempts to build its audience.
Craig Jones also reflected on what could have been a promotional collaboration with UFC BJJ.
“We could have made a deal me and the ufc. I could taken over promoting. But I would have to sell my soul, underpriced. In my opinion. Despite the lack of soul I have.”
He added that he is now working on a different type of project.
“I’ve got a show in the works to hopefully sell. That’s way more fulfilling for me right now.”
The cancellation of CJI 3 marks a turning point for one of the sport’s most disruptive promotional efforts. While the financial model of professional grappling continues to evolve, Craig Jones stepping back from event promotion underscores how unstable the business landscape remains.
