Craig Jones has revealed the rules for CJI 2, and the event will be far more open than most grappling tournaments. The banned list focuses mainly on dangerous or unsporting actions rather than common technique restrictions.
Controversial moves like Kani Basami and jumping to closed guard—often banned due to injury risk—will be legal. This could lead to sequences rarely seen at elite events.
Spiking opponents head-first will result in disqualification, but traditional slams appear allowed. Other prohibited actions include eye gouging, fish hooking, hair pulling, ear manipulation, finger grabbing, groin attacks, and any strikes. Scratching, pinching, and biting are also banned.
By keeping restrictions minimal, Jones aims to let athletes showcase the full range of grappling techniques while removing only the most dangerous or unsporting options. Fans could see high-risk moves that have become almost mythical at the top level.
Jones elaborated on the rules adding:
“We’re going to punish static supine position. Need to be in a position to move forward if unattached.”
“Seated, chase for grips and then you can lay flat to play supine guard. If opponent strips to reset and re attack we want you to sit back up.”
“Avoiding the Levi vs Kade match. Even though I’m more the Levi style, the fans don’t love it.”
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
