In an emotional video statement, Gabi Garcia, 4-time ADCC champion, opened up about her difficult decision to accept Craig Jones’ invitation to a super fight rather than competing at ADCC, which falls on the same day. Garcia revealed that the Craig Jones super fight represents the biggest payday of her career and potentially the largest ever for a female grappler.
Garcia acknowledged that declining to compete at ADCC, considered the top prize in submission grappling, was an incredibly tough choice as becoming an open weight champion has been a lifelong dream. However, the unprecedented financial opportunity of facing Craig Jones was too significantto turn down, with Garcia implying her contract exceeds $150,000.
A key factor in Garcia’s decision is the ability for the lucrative payday to support her family and hometown in southern Brazil, which has been devastated by recent tragedies and flooding that left many without access to food and water. Garcia stated she has repeatedly posted about the dire situation on her Instagram but received little support via donations from her followers. The Craig Jones super fight purse will allow her to provide significant relief aid.
“This is the highest payment in history, and they offer me this. I say no, I ask it,” Garcia said about pursuing and accepting the fight against Jones. “Not only that, they go donate money for south Brazil where I was born and have all this tragedy where people don’t have food and water right now.”
In an emotional moment, Garcia reflected on her brother passing away just days before her first ADCC appearance in 2015, adding that she has prayed to him before every major competition since. She says she hopes fans will understand her choice is about supporting her family and hometown during a desperate time of need.
While saddened to miss the opportunity to win the ADCC open weight title, Garcia says this payday of over $150,000 and giving back to her community is life-changing money compared to the standard $5,000 purse she has earned at ADCC in the past. “Let me know one girl who has a contract like this,” Garcia stated.
Jones was on the record that he will not be paying himself for participating in the exhibition.
She also addressed critics who have bashed her for choosing prize money over ADCC prestige, saying “Before you judge me, go donate $1” to support those in need in southern Brazil.
Fans can expect an explosive showdown between Garcia and Jones, with Garcia vowing to give her best effort. She leaves with a parting shot about her status in the sport: “In jiu-jitsu, people hate me or love me. My face is always on your timeline, because I sell. I put my face out there for people to judge.”
Craig Jones explained during an appearance on the MMA Hour he’s not open to athletes participating in both due to high likelihood of injury.
The unprecedented Garcia vs Jones super fight is being billed as potentially the biggest grappling event ever for a female athlete. Gabi Garcia vs Craig Jones happens August 17th,18th at the Thomas and Mack arena in Las Vegas.
