Following Craig Jones‘ announcement of Helena Crevar as the first female athlete for CJI 2, Welsh grappling star Ffion Davies has fired back with a significant clarification about her UFC contract situation.
In a social media statement posted Thursday, Davies addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding her exclusivity deal, stating:
“Somehow deleted last one. Just to clear some things up: As far as I’m aware, my UFC contract allows me to compete on CJI. Regardless, I was told there wouldn’t be a women’s division, due to lack of funding. I was disappointed with this of course. I signed a UFC contract and was offered a main event spot in a card stacked with women. Of course I accepted. I’m really happy CJI is now having a women’s bracket, wish them the best of luck and love to see the girls getting their bag.”
The Contract Controversy
Davies‘ statement directly contradicts the narrative that has emerged around her UFC deal preventing participation in other events. Jones had previously suggested on his podcast “On Borrowed Time” that certain high-profile female athletes with “powerful woman’s agenda” had made contract decisions that were “self-serving rather than beneficial for women’s BJJ as a whole.”
Jones had hinted that competitors were “blocking certain athletes from participating in our event,” in what many interpreted as a reference to Davies‘ exclusive arrangement.
The Welsh Countryside
Jones made his Helena Crevar announcement from what appeared to be the Welsh countryside, standing against rolling hills while declaring Crevar as “athlete number one in the highest paid women’s division in history.” The timing and location seemed like a direct response to Davies‘ earlier criticism that CJI was “being bullied into putting a women’s division on.”
However, Jones later clarified the Welsh location was not the calculated move many assumed, writing:
“I wish this was intentional but I’m here for a seminar. I filmed this in Bristol and pretended it was in wales to troll the welsh.”
Davies‘ Position Clarified
The Welsh star’s latest statement reveals a more nuanced situation than previously understood. According to Davies, she was initially told there would be no women’s division due to funding constraints, leading her to pursue the UFC opportunity. Her claim that her contract would allow CJI participation suggests the exclusivity narrative may have been overstated.
Davies has maintained throughout the controversy that she supports women’s advancement in grappling, stating she was “really happy CJI is now having a women’s bracket” and wants to see female athletes “getting their bag.”
Looking Forward
With CJI 2 scheduled for August 30-31 and featuring what Jones promises will be the highest-paid women’s division in grappling history, the inclusion of Davies could potentially strengthen the tournament’s credibility and star power. However, whether this contract clarification will lead to actual participation remains to be seen.
The 18-year-old Crevar, notably one of the few elite female grapplers who didn’t sign an exclusive UFC deal, represents the type of athlete who can freely compete across promotions – a flexibility that may become increasingly valuable as the sport’s landscape continues to evolve.
