CJI 2 preview: A look at the women competing for $100K
We preview the four-woman $100,000 bracket set to take place at CJI 2 on August 30-31, 2025.
The second installment of the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) will deliver the biggest cash prize in the history of women’s grappling, as four of the sport’s top athletes will lock horns in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Below, we take a closer look at the women competing at CJI 2.
Adele Fornarino
Despite her razor-thin split decision loss to Ffion Davies earlier this year, many fans still consider Australian submission hunter Adele Fornarino to be the sport’s top pound-for-pound grappler. And while she might be the field’s smallest athlete, she looks to be an early favorite.
A black belt since late 2022, Fornarino enjoyed a remarkable, breakout year in 2024. In addition to superfight wins over the likes of Anna Rodrigues, Amanda “Tubby” Alequin, and Sophia Cassella, she claimed gold in both the 55kg and absolute divisions at the ADCC World Championships, marking arguably the most impressive single-event performance in ADCC history. She’ll come into CJI 2 following a sensational submission win over the always-tough Jasmine Rocha.
Stylistically, Fornarino is an ultra-aggressive submission hunter who does her best work from her guard, particularly her closed guard. From there, she’ll attack armbars and Mir locks, and if her opponent postures up to defend, she’ll enter into the legs where she is a brutal finisher.
Fornarino’s relentless aggression, constant submission threats, and deep gas tank will all serve her well in the CJI ruleset, which emphasizes legitimate attacks and pacing.
Ana Carolina Vieira
Fornarino won’t be the only reigning ADCC champion competing for $100,000 at CJI 2, as decorated veteran and current 65kg champion Ana Carolina Vieira steps up.
The Brazilian is a multiple-time IBJJF gi and no-gi world champion who brings a wealth of elite experience to the table. At the 2024 ADCC World Championships, she erased any doubt that she remains at the top of the food chain, defeating Amanda Leve, Bia Mesquita and fellow CJI competitor Helena Crevar to capture her first ADCC gold. She’s followed that up with a hard-fought decision win over Raquel Canuto at the UFC Fight Pass Invitational.
Vieira is a physically imposing athlete with top-tier skills in all areas, but she’s at her most dangerous when she’s working her suffocating top game and pressure passing – the exact strategy that propelled her to ADCC gold. She’s also a serious submission threat from the front headlock position, where she’s able to consistently dictate the match and keep her foe on the defensive.
Fans should look forward to watching Vieira employ her veteran savvy and crushing strength against the field’s younger, more movement-based grapplers.
Helena Crevar
Teenage phenom Helena Crevar has long been touted as the future of grappling, and over the past year, she’s fully arrived as an elite generational talent.
Still just 18 years old, the Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu representative already boasts a jam-packed trophy case, including an ADCC silver medal, ADCC Trials gold, and a Polaris title. Since 2024, she’s racked up notable wins over top athletes like Brianna Ste-Marie, Nia Blackman, and Aurelie Le Vern, among others.
Importantly, Crevar has competition experience against two other CJI competitors – Vieira and Sarah Galvao. Against Vieira, Crevar suffered a points loss in the final of the 65kg division at the 2024 ADCC World Championships. She also suffered a points loss in the gi against Galvao at the 2025 IBJJF Pans.
Despite those losses, Crevar certainly shouldn’t be counted out of this tournament. Under the watchful eye of renowned coach John Danaher, Crevar has displayed consistent improvement from match to match and is always well prepared in terms of strategy and tactics. She is a superb guard player and perhaps the field’s most dangerous leg locker – skills that should serve her well under the CJI submission-only ruleset.
Sarah Galvao
Sarah Galvao – the daughter of legendary competitor and coach Andre Galvao – hopes to announce her arrival at the elite no-gi ranks at CJI 2. The rookie black belt enjoyed an absurdly decorated colored belt career, setting the stage for an impressive run at the professional level.
Although she was an IBJJF no-gi world champion at brown belt, the majority of Galvao’s experience and accomplishments have come in the gi. She dropped a closely contested yet highly entertaining overtime loss to fellow young phenom Cassia Moura earlier this year at the UFC Fight Pass.
Even with that lack of overall experience, Galvao’s immense skill is undeniable. She’s comfortable attacking takedowns on the feet, working guard passes from top position, or looking for submissions from her back. In general, though, Galvao loves to secure top position and use her dynamic, high-octane passing to expose and take the back, where she is an excellent finisher.
Galvao is the bracket’s dark horse. As the field’s least experienced competitor and still just a couple of months into her black belt career, she’ll have nothing to lose at CJI 2 – making her dangerous against any opponent she might face.
How to watch: CJI 2 takes place on August 30-31, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will air live and free on the B-Team YouTube channel beginning at 9:00 PM ET each day.
