We preview the stacked +80kg division on the inaugural CJI, set to go down in Las Vegas on August 16-17.
The inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) has taken the jiu-jitsu world by storm. With a $1 million prize per division, CJI has stacked its two divisions from high to backside.
The +80kg bracket is loaded with expertise together with ADCC World medalists, former UFC champions, and an NCAA D-1 wrestling champion.
Earlier than we dive into the favorites, contenders, and darkish horses of the division, try the bracket and full lineup of athletes beneath.
+80kg
- William Tackett
- Nick Rodriguez
- Luke Rockhold
- Lucas Kanard
- Joao Gabriel Rocha
- Victor Hugo
- Owen Livesey
- Fellipe Andrew
- Max Gimenis
- Adam Bradley
- Inacio Santos
- Pat Downey
- Pedro Alex
- Kyle Boehm
- Mahamed Aly
- Daniel Kerkvliet
The favorites: Nick Rodriguez, William Tackett, Victor Hugo
Nick Rodriguez burst onto the jiu-jitsu scene in 2019 when he took 2nd place on the ADCC World Championships as a blue belt. He added one other silver medal on the 2022 ADCC World Championships. “Nicky Rod” is without doubt one of the most outstanding grapplers within the sport immediately, persistently successful on the highest ranges. He enters CJI as one of many favorites to stroll away a millionaire. Rodriguez’s mixture of stellar wrestling and brutal bodylock passing make him a nightmare matchup for anybody on this bracket.
William Tackett often is the smallest competitor on this bracket however he’ll make up for his measurement disparity with a number of the slickest jiu-jitsu within the match. Tackett, a two-time ADCC West Coast trials champion is tremendous well-rounded and harmful wherever the bout could happen. Tackett attracts Joao Gabriel Rocha within the first spherical.
Recognized for his trademark “Huge Man Circulate”, Victor Hugo possesses one of many sport’s most dynamic guard video games. For being such a large man, Hugo strikes like a lighter-weight grappler. Latest wins over the likes of Dan Manasoiu, Kaynan Duarte and Nick Rodriguez have Hugo primed for a deep run on this match.
The Contenders: Luke Rockhold, Kyle Boehm, Fellipe Andrew
Luke Rockhold is without doubt one of the most attention-grabbing rivals on this bracket. The previous UFC champion has expertise within the 3×5 spherical format. Rockhold has at all times had rock-solid MMA jiu-jitsu, and it will likely be fascinating to see how that interprets at CJI. His first-round matchup towards world-class wrestler Pat Downey must be a barnburner nevertheless lengthy it lasts.
10th Planet product Kyle Boehm appears to make his mark on the CJI stage. A seasoned competitor, Boehm has a harmful submission recreation highlighted by brutal leg lock finishes. His expertise within the EBI ruleset having competed in longer matches ought to show useful this weekend within the CJI format.
IBJJF World Champion Fellipe Andrew is without doubt one of the most lively rivals within the bracket. Andrew has seen most of his success within the gi, so it will likely be attention-grabbing to see how his fan-friendly model interprets to the CJI ruleset.
Darkish Horses: Daneil Kerkvliet, Owen Livesey, Lucas Kanard
The final word darkish horse on this bracket is 2024 NCAA Division 1 wrestling Champion, Daniel Kerkvliet. The Penn State heavyweight is a towering determine that strikes like a light-weight. The extent of Kekvliet’s jiu-jitsu coaching is comparatively unknown, nevertheless, his measurement and wrestling expertise make him one of the vital attention-grabbing rivals to keep watch over this weekend. Kerkvliet vs Felipe Andrew as an opening-round match is fascinating.
Hulking judoka Owen Livesey has a method tailored for this ruleset. Livesey is a handful on the ft and is understood for physique locks, entrance head snap downs, and highly effective journeys. He welcomes Mahamad Aly again to the mats in his opening bout.
Followers ought to keep watch over Lucas Kanard this weekend. The Aussie grappler could also be one of many lesser-known within the bracket, however he has all of the makings of a bracket buster. Kanard employs an intricate open guard trying to enter and assault leg locks. He attracts one of many match favorites, Victor Hugo, in his opening bout.
How you can watch: The inaugural CJI takes place on August 16-17 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and can air dwell and free on the B-Team’s YouTube Channel.
