During an interview discussing the analytics from CJI2, Craig Jones defended his stance on equal pay in professional jiu-jitsu, arguing that women have proven they can draw just as much interest as their male counterparts. When asked why he believes female athletes should earn the same despite critics claiming pay should be based on viewership, Jones pointed to CJI2’s analytics to support his case.
The interviewer asked, “You actually think women should get paid the same, correct? But the thing is, a lot of people obviously disagree. They say whoever brings the eyes, that’s who should be getting paid. Explain exactly why you think women should be getting paid the same.”
Jones responded by pointing to CJI’s internal analytics, revealing that teenage grappling sensation Helena Crevar generated more search engine traffic than any male athlete on the card.
While her performance impressed fans inside the arena, Jones argued that the online numbers proved she was also one of the biggest attractions in the sport.
“Well, I mean, we ran the analytics for the previous year and Helena Crevar, and I don’t want to say it’s for nefarious reasons but her SEO destroys people like Nicky Rod and many people,” Jones said.
“So in terms of the draw, Helena Crevar would be one of the biggest draws in the sport. So in my opinion, objectively, all the dudes out there that go women’s jujitsu is boring. I go, no, jiu jitsu is boing.”
He continued, “It’s boring across the board. Who gives a f**k if it’s a woman or a man?”
For Jones, Crevar’s search numbers were evidence that women’s grappling can attract significant public interest when given the same platform and exposure as the men’s divisions.
Earlier this year, Jones made headlines by pledging $48,000 of his own money to close the prize money gap between men and women at ADCC 2026. That pledge is now off the table.
Jones pulled the commitment after citing the continued presence of Izaak Michell on ADCC’s active competitor list. Michell, a former Kingsway gym member, faces serious legal exposure in the United States. Jones confirmed that Michell has an active open arrest warrant in Hayes County for s3xual assault, and that a second warrant was issued against a second individual on February 26.
“ADCC are aware of this,” Jones said. “I’ve been asking them to no response… I do not want to prop up an organization that doesn’t value women,” Jones said. “This isn’t virtue signaling like the majority of my audience. This is a safety issue.”
Jones was direct about his frustration with the sport. “I really cannot understand how we’ve ended up here in this sport,” he said. “I cannot for the life of me understand why he sits on the ADCC active competitors list. Somebody explain it.”
He was also clear that the $48,000 is not simply being taken off the table. “I promise to you that that $48,000, we will find a way to give back to the women of the sport,” he said.
