When Craig Jones announced the first-ever CJI early last year, most of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling world thought, “No way he pulls this off.”
Then he did. $1 million to the winner, every athlete paid more than ADCC, and a jiu-jitsu event that felt less like a tournament and more like a movement. It was chaotic, slick, and exactly what the sport needed.
Now he’s back for round two.
Craig Jones Invitational 2 takes place on August 30–31, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, and the format has leveled up. Think: team battles, tag-style eliminations, and a supersized cast of coaches and athletes from all over the world.
It’s not just about submissions anymore. It’s about pride, strategy, and for the prize of real money.
Here are five things you should absolutely be excited about.
1) It’s A Full-On Team Grappling Showdown
CJI 2 flips the script with a new team-based format. Eight squads of five athletes will compete in a Quintet-style elimination format, where teammates tag in as others are eliminated. This adds a layer of strategy we don’t often see in elite grappling, where matchups matter, fatigue stacks, and momentum can swing hard. It’s fast-paced, chaotic, and perfect for fans.
2) Million-Dollar Prize For The Winning Team
The stakes are higher than ever. The winning team takes home $1 million, with every athlete also receiving a guaranteed appearance fee that already surpasses what ADCC typically offers. It’s clear that CJI isn’t just a vanity project, it’s about creating a financially viable, athlete-first model for professional grappling. It’s Jone’s very own way of giving back to the sport which made him an international superstar.
3) Watch The Biggest Superfight Yet: Craig Jones Vs Gable Steveson
Jones stepping back on the mat himself to face Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson in a true clash of styles. Grappling purists and wrestling fanatics have been circling this matchup since it was announced. Steveson brings Olympic-caliber pressure and athleticism, while Jones brings years of submission expertise and the home-crowd advantage. Expect fireworks.
4) Game-Changing Women’s Bracket
After some fair criticism following CJI 1’s lack of a women’s division, the second installment features a dedicated four-woman bracket with a $100,000 prize pool. Big names like Helena Crevar and Adele Fornario are already confirmed, and the matchups could become some of the most exciting of the weekend. It’s a huge step forward, not just for CJI, but for women’s grappling as a whole.
5) Global Teams And Star Coaches
From the U.S. to Australia, from New Wave to 10th Planet, CJI 2 will feature top gyms and regional squads, each led by some of the sport’s biggest minds. Think John Danaher, Eddie Bravo, Lachlan Giles, and Craig himself, with squads like B-Team and Team Americas filling the brackets. It’s part grappling competition, part World Cup, and fully unpredictable.
Conclusion
Craig Jones Invitational 2 isn’t just a jiu-jitsu tournament. It’s a statement about where the sport is going. Bigger stakes, more structure, better pay, and a format that actually keeps fans glued to the action.
The future of grappling doesn’t look like what we grew up watching. And that might be the best thing about it.
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