7 things Craig Jones revealed about the Craig Jones Invitational on the Joe Rogan Experience
These are seven key things we learned about the Craig Jones Invitational from Craig Jones’ appearance on the Joe Rogan Experience.
On May 28, Craig Jones appeared on the popular Joe Rogan Experience podcast to discuss the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) and his plans for the event, which is scheduled to go down on the same weekend as the 2024 ADCC World Championships.
Jones shared a number of key details about the event over the course of the two-hour conversation. These are the seven most significant things we learned about the CJI.
Watch the full episode below.
1 The Craig Jones Invitational will be an annual event
While nothing seems to be entirely set in stone yet, Jones revealed that he plans to hold the CJI every year — meaning that it will not always compete with the ADCC World Championships.
2 Ticket sales will go to charity
Jones explained that the CJI will not operate as a profit-make endeavor. Instead, it will operate as a non-profit, with a portion of the proceeds from ticket sales going to the athlete’s charities of choice.
Top pound-for-pound competitor Ffion Davies is slated to compete in a superfight at the CJI and she has announced that some of the event proceeds will go to those affected by the ongoing tragedy in Gaza.
3 Craig Jones vs. Gabi Garcia is real
What started as a joke is now a reality, as Jones will compete in an inter-gender match against multiple-time ADCC and IBJJF world champion Gabi Garcia.
4 The Craig Jones Invitational will air on YouTube
The CJI will not be behind a paywall. Instead, the event will air live and free on YouTube.
5 Unique ruleset
The CJI will employ a first-of-its-kind ruleset. Each match will consist of three five-minute rounds, and matside judges will score each round on a 10-point must system typically seen in MMA and boxing.
Jones explained that the judges will score the bouts similar to traditional BJJ competition, awarding unofficial points for offensive maneuvers like sweeps and guard passes, but each round will ultimately be scored on the 10-point must system.
Additionally, Jones said that rounds will continue beyond five minutes if one athlete is locked into a submission.
6 The ‘Alley’ mat surface
Inspired by the Karate Combat Pit, Jones said that matches will take place in a similar pit that will be rectangular and called the “Alley.”
7 Jones is in talks with a ‘crazy big name’
In addition to his inter-gender match with Gabi Garcia, Jones also revealed plans for another superfight that involves a “crazy big name.” He did not disclose the potential opponent on air.
