Gable Steveson withdraws from Craig Jones superfight due to injury
Olympic wrestler Gable Steveson will no longer compete at CJI 2 due to turf toe.
In addition to an eight-team, Quintet-style tournament and a four-woman, $100,000 bracket, CJI 2 was also set to feature an intriguing superfight between event organizer Craig Jones and Olympic gold medal wrestler Gable Steveson. However, on Sunday night, Jones announced that Steveson has withdrawn from that match due to turf toe – a sprain of the joint at the base of the big toe.
Currently, no replacement has been announced for Steveson. Jones – a two-time ADCC silver medalist who has long been a mainstay of the elite no-gi grappling scene – had previously stated that he planned to retire from competition after this match.
It’s worth noting that Steveson is slated to make his hotly anticipated MMA debut just after CJI 2, on September 12 at LFA 217, where he’ll face Braden Peterson in a heavyweight bout. Steveson is still expected to compete in that fight.
In typical fashion, Jones didn’t hold back on taunting Steveson on social media, making posts on Instagram questioning the wrestler’s toughness.
Even with the loss of this unique superfight, CJI 2 remains one of the most star-studded, talent-laden events in the history of professional grappling. Eight teams of five grapplers each will compete in head-to-head matches, with the winning team taking home a massive $1 million cash prize.
Also, four of the sport’s top women – Adele Fornarino, Ana Carolina Vieira, Sarah Galvao, and Helena Crevar will lock horns in a tournament with $100,000 on the line.
View the full lineup of athletes and teams at CJI 2 here.
How to watch: CJI 2 takes place on August 30-31, 2025, in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will live and free on The B-Team YouTube channel beginning at 9:00 PM ET each day.
