The inaugural CJI takes place on August 16-17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. View outcomes and highlights from the primary day of motion right here.
The primary-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) kicks off on Friday, August 16, stay from the Thomas & Mack Middle in Las Vegas, Nevada. The blockbuster occasion will function two 16-man brackets – one above and one beneath 80kg – every with a $1 million prize on the road.
Grapplers can win by submission or determination, and matches encompass three five-minute rounds with mat-side judges scoring every spherical on a 10-point should system.
The occasion’s heavyweight bracket noticed a few huge upsets. Late substitute Lucas Kanard took out second-seeded Victor Hugo with a lightning-quick inside heel hook within the pair’s first-round match, whereas Joao Gabriel Rocha picked up a hard-fought determination over William Tackett.
View the official brackets beneath.
Watch the occasion stay on YouTube right here:
CJI day 1 +80kg outcomes
+80kg first spherical
- Nick Rodriguez def. Max Gimenis through submission (rear-naked choke), second spherical
After a sluggish begin, Rodriguez turned up the stress within the second spherical, securing a takedown earlier than taking the large man’s again and sinking within the rear-naked choke with lower than two minutes remaining within the body.
Downey dominated the previous UFC champion for the whole lot of the match with robust takedowns and a number of other guard passes.
- Lucas Kanard def. Victor Hugo through submission (heel hook), first spherical
Kanard jumped on an early heel hook to attain the large upset over the person many picked as the favourite to win the million.
Tackett got here out aggressive and pushed a excessive tempo early, nevertheless it was the larger, stronger Rocha who showcased robust wrestling, passing, and a minutes-long arm triangle try and safe the first-round upset.
+80kg quarterfinals
- Nick Rodriguez def. Owen Livesey through submission (rear-naked choke), spherical 1
- Adam Bradley def. Pat Downey through cut up determination
- Inacio Santos def. Lucas Kanard through unanimous determination
- Fellipe Andrew def. Joao Gabriel Rocha through unanimous determination
Andrew displayed a wonderful offense from his guard over the course of the 15-minute match, snatching up quite a few close to triangles and leg lock makes an attempt to punch his ticket to day two.
