The inaugural CJI takes place on August 16-17, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. View outcomes and highlights from the second day of motion right here.
The primary-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) kicks off on Friday, August 16, dwell from the Thomas & Mack Heart 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. Day one noticed athletes compete within the spherical of 16 and quarterfinal matches, whereas day two will function the semifinals and finals of every division, in addition to a pair of superfights. In a single, prime pound-for-pound grappler Ffion Davies will tackle former ADCC champion and present UFC contender Mackenzie Dern. Within the different, match organizer Craig Jones will sq. off with multiple-time ADCC and IBJJF world champion Gabi Garcia in an inter-gender match.
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.
Watch the occasion free on YouTube right here.
CJI outcomes – Day 2
+80kg semifinals
Nick Rodriguez def. Adam Bradley through submission (rear-naked choke). Rodriguez employed his trademark body-lock guard passing to take a commanding lead by way of the opening two rounds earlier than closing the present with a gorgeous back-take and rear-naked choke, marking his third straight RNC end of the occasion.
Fellipe Andrew def. Inacio Santos through submission (heel hook). Andrew displayed a well-rounded, aggressive recreation by way of the opening spherical and virtually the entire second earlier than discovering his approach into the back-side 50-50 for a gorgeous heel hook end. The gi specialist will sq. off with Rodriguez within the division’s ultimate with $1 million on the road.
-80kg semifinals
Levi Jones-Leary def. Lucas Barbosa through determination. The 2 grapplers have been neck-and-neck after the primary two rounds, with Jon-Leary predictably attacking from his guard whereas “Hulk” appeared to stress move. Within the third body, Jones-Leary was lastly capable of finding Barbosa’s again and journey out the ultimate jiffy in dominant place to earn his spot within the ultimate.
Kade Ruotolo def. Andrew Tackett through determination. Ruotolo and Tackett delivered one of the best match of 2024 to date, and definitely the most effective in latest reminiscence.
Tackett opened up in a giant approach, taking Ruotolo’s again within the opening minute. Ruotolo roared again within the second spherical with a deep d’arce choke try and a few good work on the ft. The third spherical delivered 5 minutes of dramatic, back-and-forth motion, with Tackett taking the again early and Ruotolo firing again with one other choke try that probably sealed the choice in his favor after fifteen breathless minutes of scramble-heavy, elite grappling.
+80kg ultimate
Nick Rodriguez def. Fellipe Andrew through submission (rear-naked choke), first spherical. Nick Rodriguez wanted lower than 4 minutes to turn into submit Fellipe Andrew and turn into a millionaire.
Andrew sat to protect early, solely to see Rodriguez get shortly to work along with his trademark body-lock passing. The Brazilian defended and scrambled properly, however ultimately, Rodriguez was capable of create again publicity and sink in his fourth consecutive rear-naked choke.
After the match, Rodriguez challenged former teammate Gordon Ryan to a $1 million “winner take all” wager match.
-80kg ultimate
Kade Ruotolo def. Levi Jones-Leary through determination. Jones-Leary jumped out to an early lead with efficient guard play that usually led to deep leg entanglements. Across the halfway level of the match, although, Ruotolo shifted his prime recreation technique to focus extra on stress passing, and that appeared to make the distinction, as he took the lead – and win – on the judges’ scorecards.
Superfight: Craig Jones def. Gabi Garcia through submission (rear-naked choke), second spherical. Jones was within the driver’s seat for the whole thing of the competition, which got here to an finish within the waning seconds of the second spherical with Jones sinking in a rear-naked choke.
Superfight: Ffion Davies def. Mackenzie Dern through submission (shoulder lock), second spherical. Davies out-classed Dern from the opening bell, shortly taking prime place earlier than slicing by way of the guard and transferring to the again. Dern would survive to the second spherical, but it surely was extra of the identical. Davies landed a giant throw, secured the again once more, and locked in a reverse triangle earlier than closing the present with a shoulder lock.
