In a recent appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience, Australian jiu-jitsu phenom Craig Jones opened up about the reasoning behind scheduling his Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) on the same date as the prestigious ADCC World Championship. Jones, known for his irreverent and comedic persona, provided insights into the move that caused a stir in the grappling community.
According to Jones, the decision to hold the CJI on the same date as the ADCC wasn’t born out of malice or a desire to undermine the latter event. Instead, it was a strategic move aimed at highlighting the need for better compensation for athletes across various platforms, including YouTube.
“Ultimately, what I want and what I wanted from day 1 was just athletes across everything in Jiu-Jitsu to be compensated just a little bit more,” Jones explained. “Because, again, we don’t have to prestige.”
When prompted Jones confirmed that he would’ve never done this if ADCC had offered to up the prizes from $10,000 to $20,000.
Jones saw the CJI as an opportunity to not only provide an alternative platform for athletes but also to potentially start a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting their interests. He expressed a desire to keep the event affordable and accessible, drawing inspiration from his own experiences as a young grappler unable to afford expensive seminars.
While some might perceive the date clash as a direct rivalry between the two events, Jones maintained a lighthearted tone, suggesting that it was more akin to a playful banter between an “Australian idiot” and a “monarchy.” He even entertained the idea of competing at the ADCC again, provided the right incentives were offered.
Addressing his well-documented beef with fellow grappling legend Gordon Ryan, Jones dismissed the notion of any deep-seated animosity. Instead, he attributed it to his proclivity for provoking reactions and engaging in friendly banter, which he likened to the dynamic among Australian friends.
“I just love f**king around. Like, Australia, we love attacking each other. Like I say worst things to my friends and I say to Gordon,” Jones said, drawing parallels to the comedic roasting culture prevalent among stand-up comedians.
