Craig Jones has delivered some less than stellar news about the financial state of his upcoming CJI2 tournament revealing through candid social media posts that the event is projected to lose 800,000 USD.
Speaking directly to fans on Reddit under his verified account Jones painted a stark picture of the challenges facing independent grappling promotions in today’s market.
“Literally at this rate will lose 800k on the event,” Jones wrote adding with characteristic defiance “F–k it. For the history books. I believe in quintet format for entertainment value.”
The financial shortfall appears to stem from slower-than-expected ticket sales with Jones revealing that only 5,100 tickets have been sold so far.
“I turned down the rights deals. Was just hoping we’d be 6500 by now,” he explained emphasizing his commitment to keeping the event accessible to fans. “I just really want to keep this s–t free.”
This decision to forgo lucrative partnerships in favor of free access represents a bold gamble in an era where pay-per-view models dominate combat sports. Jones‘s approach directly challenges the industry standard potentially sacrificing significant revenue to remove barriers for viewers.
The ticket sales challenge reflects broader issues facing live grappling events. One fan articulated the common dilemma many enthusiasts face travel costs, accommodation expenses and time away from family create substantial barriers to attendance regardless of interest in the actual competition.
Jones‘s comments also hinted at personal crossroads beyond the immediate financial concerns. When discussing his future plans he mentioned a “lack of future direction when you hit your goals” suggesting that the tournament’s outcome may influence his long-term involvement in event promotion.
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: Vagner Rocha
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
