As the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) prepares to finalize its over 80kg bracket, a surprising development has caught the attention of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fans worldwide. Former ADCC champion and 13-time IBJJF World titleholder Marcus “Buchecha” Almeida has expressed interest in participating, stating on social media that he’s “down” to compete if it were up to him.
Buchecha isn’t the only high level participant to throw his hat in the ring – Andre Galvao also might be interested.
This revelation comes as Craig Jones, the event organizer, called for public suggestions to fill the final spot in the bracket. Buchecha’s name quickly rose to the top of many fans’ wishlists, given his legendary status in the sport.
However, Buchecha’s enthusiasm may not be enough to secure his participation. The Brazilian grappling phenom is currently signed with ONE Championship and managed by Ali Abdelaziz, potentially complicating his ability to compete in external events.
Adding intrigue to the situation, Jones recently took to social media to criticize an unnamed BJJ manager for alleged unethical practices. While Jones didn’t specify who he was referring to, some speculate that Abdelaziz could be the target of these accusations.
In his posts, Jones claimed that this manager convinced an athlete to use a questionable doctor, resulting in a positive test that damaged the athlete’s legacy. He also alleged that the manager takes a 20% cut from “undisclosed show money deals,” significantly higher than the industry standard of 10%.
Jones contrasted these practices with his own event’s structure, emphasizing transparency and fair compensation for athletes. The CJI offers “standard show money and prize money of which he can’t take a cut,” according to Jones.
ONE FC signees Kade and Tye Ruotolo and Mikey Musumeci area already participating in CJI so it’s unclear what exactly could be the hold up with Buchecha. One notable difference between the three is that Buchecha is mainly doing MMA at ONE FC while the three above are BJJ competitors first even though Ruotolo brothers dabble in MMA currently.
This situation highlights the broader issues of athlete management and compensation in BJJ that Jones has been vocal about. It also underscores the challenges faced by top competitors like Buchecha, who may find themselves torn between lucrative contracts with major promotions and the desire to participate in high-profile invitational events.
As these events vie for top talent, the role of managers and promotions in shaping athletes’ careers becomes increasingly significant – and controversial.
