LIVE! Craig Jones Invitational Results, Streaming Bracket Updates - Day 1

Saturday, August 17, 2024 - 06:35

QUINTET Ultra

Live updates of the biggest grappling tournament to happen in years!

Welcome to the biggest weekend of the year in the grappling world.

While Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) takes place in Las Vegas, across town, the first-ever Craig Jones Invitational (CJ) is starting this evening (Fri., Aug. 16, 2024) at 6 p.m. ET from inside Thomas & Mack Center.

The event will be stream free on YouTube and right here.

A quick, Cliffs Notes version of how this event came to be. Craig Jones found someone with some money to burn. Jones talked said person into giving more money to every competitor in this grappling tournament than the big main rival (ADCC) gives to its winners. Since the guaranteed money is even bigger than the top prize at ADCC, Jones was able to lure many of the top competitors away from the ADCC to his own gig, like the Ruotolo brothers, Nicky Ryan, Luke Rockhold, Nicky Rodriguez and many more.

Indeed, it was super hard to say, “No.”

For Jones, it made more sense for him to not enter the tournament, but to compete with someone else in a “super” fight. And here’s where the ridiculousness comes in. He’s going to roll against four-time ADCC gold medalist and five-time IBJJF gold medalist, Gabi Garcia. Yes, the “She Hulk” of the grappling world is going lock horns with Jones, also a grappling star, winner of the IBJJF World No-Gi Championships in 2015, two-time ADCC silver medalist and four-time Polaris champion. That’s enough of an alphabet soup between the two stars to fill up an entire Scrabble board.

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The build up to the super-fight has been nothing but comedy. Newer fans might not recognize the mediator, but for folks 10 years ago, Renato Laranja was a comedic mainstay in this space. Former actor-turned 10th-Planet BJJ black belt, Rhasaan Orange’s alter-ego has been egging on the two combatants with raunchy jokes that fly out quicker than Big Macs during lunch rush.

As if all this fun stuff wasn’t enough, Jones upped the ante by publicly betting $100,000 on himself to win by leglock. Just to twist the dagger into Garcia a bit. However, we’ll have to wait until Day 2 for that match, the “super” fight for Day 1 is going to be No. 8-seeded Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Strawweight and four-time gold medalist at ADCC, IBJJF and No Gi Worlds, Mackenzie Dern, taking on seven-time gold medalist and reigning ADCC champion, Ffion Davies.

Craig Jones Invitational Day 1 Quick Results:

Under 80 kg:

Tye Ruotolo vs. Jason Nolf — Ruotolo def. Nolf via submission (kneebar), Round 3, 4:16
Roberto Jimenez vs Levi Jones-Leary — Jones-Leary def. Jimenez via submission (heel hook), Round 1, 2:56
Lucas Barbosa vs. Kenta Iwamoto — Barbosa def. Iwamoto via decision (30-27, 29-28x2)
Jozef Chen vs. Andy Varela — Chen def. Varela via decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
Kade Ruotolo vs. Matheus Diniz — Ruotolo def. Diniz via submission (“Aoki” ankle lock), Round 1, 4:43
Renato Canuto vs. Tommy Langaker — Langaker def. Canuto via decision (30-26 x3)
Magid Hage vs. Eoghan O’Flanagan — O’Flanagan def. Hage via submission (heel hook), Round 1, 1:39
Nicky Ryan vs. Andrew Tackett — Tackett def. Ryan via decision (30-25 x2, 30-24)

Quarterfinal round

Tye Ruotolo vs. Levi Jones-Leary — Jones-Leary def. Ruotolo via decision (30-27, 29-28 x2)
Lucas Barbosa vs. Jozef Chen — Barbosa def. Chen via submission (knee crush), Round 3, 3:34
Kade Ruotolo vs. Tommy Langaker — Ruotolo def. Langaker via decision (30-27, 30-26 x2)
Eoghan O’Flanagan vs. Andrew Tackett — Tackett def. O’Flanagan via decision (30-26 x3)

Over 80kg:

Nicky Rodriguez vs. Max Gimenis — Rodriguez def. Gimenis via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 1:45 — HIGHLIGHTS!
Owen Livesey vs. Mahamed Aly — Livesey def. Aly via decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Adam Bradley vs. Kyle Boehm — Bradley def. Boehm via decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Luke Rockhold vs. Pat Downey — Downey def. Rockhold via decision (30-27, 30-26, 30-25)
Victor Hugo vs. Lucas Kanard — Kanard def. Hugo via submission (inside heel hook), Round 1, 1:10 — HIGHLIGHTS!
Inacio Santos vs. Pedro Alex — Santos def. Alex via decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Fellipe Andrew vs. Daniel Greg Kerkvliet — Andrew def. Kerkvliet via decision (30-27 x2, 30-26)
William Tackett vs. Joao Gabriel Rocha — Rocha def. Tackett via decision (29-27 x2, 29-26)

Quarterfinal round

Nicky Rodriguez vs. Owen Livesey — Rodriguez def. Livesey via submission (rear naked choke), Round 1, 3:40
Adam Bradley vs. Pat Downey — Bradley def. Downey via decision (29-28 x2, 28-29)
Lucas Kanard vs. Inacio Santos — Santos def. Kanard via decision (29-28 x3)
Felipe Andrew vs. Joao Gabriel Rocha — Andrew def. Rocha via decision (30-27 x3)

Tye Ruotolo vs. Jason Nolf to open up the -80kg division (now 5 hours after the start). Ruotolo tries for a single-leg against the Penn St. wrestler, which is ballsy. Foot sweep by Nolf, but Ruotolo bounces back up. Nolf with a double leg, directly into an guillotine. Ruotolo loses his grip and Nolf stands. Nolf with a single leg, but zero control.

10-9 Ruotolo on two cards per the judges, one 10-9 to Nolf.

Nolf tries a flying armbar, but just goes flying off instead. Nolf catches a foot trip attempt and slams Ruotolo. Nolf gets a double-leg momentarily, but he’s able to scramble out instantaneously. Nolf turtling, working on a leg and making sure Ruotolo can’t take the back. Nolf stands up into a reverse triangle. He tries to slam Nolf into the wall, but it locks on the triangle a little tighter. Nolf survives the round.

10-9 Ruotolo x2, 10-8 Ruotolo

Ruotolo looking aggressive to start here. This is all stand-up grappling so far halfway through the round. Snapdowns, leg kick/trip attempts, collar ties. Ruotolo tries a jumping guillotine, gets smushed down to the canvas. Ruotolo with a reap, goes for a shoulder lock as they tumble to the ground. Brief attempt at a buggy choke. Ruotolo goes under and looks for a kneebar — and gets it! Only 44 seconds left on the clock.

Kade Ruotolo vs. Matheus Diniz This starts spicy as Ruotolo’s “grip” attempts and such are basically strikes. The ref stops it right away and warns Ruotolo. I noted that his brother was very aggressive against Nolf, especially punch/reaching for the back of the head. Ruotolo bullies Diniz forward into the wall and gets the takedown. He’s quickly aggressive and on top. Ruotolo using the wall to his advantage to maintain top control, for now in half guard. They’ve got their legs pretzeled and all of a sudden, Ruotolo falls backward and gets a tap from Diniz!

Magid Hage vs. Eoghan O’Flanagan

O’Flanagan hit a lightning quick leg entry and after a minute of battling to get the right position, he slapped on a heel hook and got a verbal tap early in the round.

Nicky Ryan vs. Andrew Tackett — Tackett immediately with a single-leg attempt, Ryan counters with one of his own. Ryan’s second shot gets him into a leg entanglement. Foot lock attempt... Tackett gets out of it and they’re up. Tackett with a double leg. Bunch of positional work on the ground and Tackett ends up in north-south. Tackett takes a quick pause to fix his hair before getting back to work. Tackett to side control, attempts a mount, but can’t get it. Ryan gets some breathing room, but Tackett jumps guillotine. Ryan out and on top. They scramble back and it ends again in north-south with Tackett resting his shin on Ryan’s face.

10-9 Tackett on two of the judges scorecards and 10-8 on the other one, which I’m not sure I agree with

Tackett immediately on the front foot and he’s got Ryan down. Tackett nearly has the back, settles back into north-south. Gets that shin on chin to frustrate Ryan. Tackett swivels over into mount. Ryan manages to get Tackett to abandon the position, but he’s almost immediately back into north-south. Tackett back take and Ryan is getting absolutely run over here. Body triangle. Abandons it for an armbar. Nicky Ryan scrambles into a guillotine attempt - the only offense he’s had all round. It was close, but Tackett got out of it and immediately cartwheeled off the wall back into side control. Ten seconds left and Tackett gives Ryan a wet willie. Amazing stuff.

10-8 on all the cards.

Tackett clubs the head down, goes right into a takedown attempt, gets it, settles into north-south for a couple seconds before rotating into mount, then the back. Four minutes left in the round and it’s an immediate dynamite round for Tackett. He gives up on the RNC and attacks an armbar. That fails and Ryan is up. Nope, he gets shoved down and to no one’s surprise, he’s in north-south. Tackett’s ability to pass guard into that position is bonkers. Tackett tries to attack the arm for a hot second. One minute left. Peruvian necktie attempt. Ryan’s last gasp here, can’t get it.

Tye Ruotolo vs Levi Jones-Leary — Ruotolo tries to jump a D’arce choke. Ruotolo tries a toe hold, can’t get it, re-enters quickly. They keep working and LJL gets a leg and nearly closes a heel hook. Ruotolo escapes. They battle with leg attacks.

10-9 Jones-Leary on two scorecards, one 10-9 Ruotolo

Jones-Leary sits to start the round. Ruotolo tries to drag Levi to the wall by the ankle. Ruotolo sits down on a leg lock, but LJL counters with a better one. They’re both free. Ruotolo’s pace has slowed down halfway through the match. Good scramble, looks like Jones-Leary got the best of it.

10-9 to Ruotolo on two cards, 10-9 to Levi

Slight confusion on the judges scorecards, but I think I’ve got it correct. Levi inverts and rotates well to get under the leg. He’s got a the leg of Ruotolo up high, but LJL does nothing with it. Ruotolo tries to jump onto an arm, Levi counters by inverting onto a leg. Ruotolo has an ankle for a second, but he can’t get anywhere with it. Ruotolo slips off a kneebar attempt. Ruotolo tries to get a last second leg entanglement, but it ends with him grimcaing and grabbing his own hamstring or knee or something.

Kade Ruotolo vs. Tommy Langaker — Ruotolo runs over to the other side of the “alley” to get into Langaker’s face early. Langaker with a brief standing guillotine attempt. Tom with a takedown attempt, but Ruotolo counters with an omoplata. Langaker gets out, Ruotolo pushes him into the angled wall and they sit down in the closed guard of Langaker. Ruotolo trying to get past the closed guard. Can opener, then a wristlock. Can opener again to try and get the guard open.

10-9 Ruotolo on the cards.

Ruotolo with a very quick spin to the back that Langaker has to work hard to get out of. He does, but that’s points for Kade. Langaker on his back, working to keep his guard as Ruotolo tries hard to pass. He finally gets around the legs. and he’s threatening the back while also a submission attempt. He’s almost got a rear-naked choke in, does get a body triangle, and a near finish. Langaker looks like he might tap, but he holds on until Ruotolo has to bail on it.

10-9 x1 and two 10-8s for Ruotolo.

Tom gets in on a single, can’t get Ruotolo down for a minute. Ruotolo counters the attempt with a lovely hip toss. He’s got Langaker in a crucifix. Langaker escapes and he’s on top in closed guard. He steps over for a leg lock, but can’t get anything after the reap and Ruotolo is up. Ruotolo threatens a D’arce. Langaker inverts for a leg, Ruotolo gets out and tries a guillotine.

MATCH #1 Nicky Rodriguez vs. Max Gimenis in 80kg+ action: MG with the 57 lb. weight advantage in this matchup. Nicky Rod is the #1 seed in this bracket. They start in a collar tie. Max with a trip attempt that was more a low kick than anything. Rodriguez goes after a single-leg, Gimenis with a whizzer and smushes Rodriguez into the wall. They clash and Max gets pushed towards the wall before planting his feet and flinging Rodriguez into the barrier. He gets on top for a brief second, but Rodriguez manages to stand. Gimenis gets a stalling warning for backing up.

Open scoring shows the judges have it 10-9 Rodriguez after Rd. 1

Rodriguez drops to a knee and plays guard for a moment, which proves very successful and he gets a takedown and acquires top position. He almost gets the back, but Max turns and gets to a near standing position. Front headlock by Nick and he uses it to snap down and get the back. Max reclaims half guard. Deep half by Max and he’s up. NRod with a blast double and he gets Max down on the wall. Mount by Nicky. Max turns. Body triangle. Nicky goes for a rear naked choke and he gets the tap!

MATCH #4 Luke Rockhold vs. Pat Downey

Rockhold tries a guard pull early, which is interesting. Downey trying to get to side control, nothing doing. Luke gets hung up on the ramp and Downey yanks his legs out from underneath him. Full guard for Luke. He switches to butterfly hooks. Luke trying to stand, Downey using the side to his advantage and nearly passes to mount. Luke creates a scramble and stands. They reset in center mat. Luke confusingly turns his back and gets smushed back to the side of the ramp. Downey avoids a guillotine attempt and into side control.

10-9 times two for Downey and a 10-8 as well on the judges scorecard for this round.

Luke tries for a trip, but Downey avoids it and gets the back into a takedown. He gets the back as Luke is by the corner. Rockhold regains guard finally nearly two minutes in. They’re back to center mat and Rockhold is looking tired. Takedown by Pat, Luke manages to scramble to full guard.

Downey running away with this, 10-9, 10-9, 10-8.

Downey with a big slam and Rockhold winces as he rubs his back. Downey shit talking a bit with him now. He dumps Luke onto his butt. Rockhold gets mushed into the corner. He high fives Demetrious Johnson in the front row and Downey uses it to jump into a rear-naked choke. Rockhold agrees to guard, but can’t use it to any effect. Downey outmuscling Rockhold all over the place, despite a 30 pound weight disadvantage. They’re play slapping each other now, which gets the ref involved to admonish the two of them.

MATCH #5 Lucas Kanard vs. Victor Hugo

Kanard goes for guard early. He gets Hugo off balance and now Hugo is the one playing guard. Kanard drops for an inside heel hook and GETS IT! Enormous upset! Hugo was the #1 seed!

Quarterfinal match #1, Nicky Rodriguez vs. Owen Livesey

Nicky into guard immediately, changes pace to a collar tie. Slight clash of heads, but both men pause to make sure the other is OK. Rodriguez shoots a single, pushes him into the wall and gets the takedown. Rod on the back, one hook in. Livesey tries to shake him off, Rodriguez rolls through. Two minutes to go. He finally gets a second hook in, and he immediately flattens out Livesey. Rear naked choke and there’s the tap.

Some fun notes on some of the lesser-known matches: Brady/Boehm immediately went into a guard/leglock battle from the get. The technicalities of that one were too fast for nearly anyone to follow every detail, but it sure was fun to try. I’d hate to be a judge on some of those rounds.

Santos/Alex had some fun scrambles here and there, but heavyweight grappling that doesn’t go to a finish is akin to heavyweight MMA that doesn’t go to a finish.

Rocha survived the early whirlwind action from Tackett to land a big takedown in the third and stay in mount, threatening an arm triangle the entire round. It earned him two 10-8’s and the first 10-7 of the night en route to a decision win.

Bradley’s technicality helped propel him to a close win over the more physical Pat Downey in the quarters. Crowd wasn’t too happy, but them’s the scoring criteria.

Rocha got a gnarly cut from a clash of heads early against Andrew and they said they couldn’t tape it (due to the hair, I guess), so he just bled the whole match.

Levi Jones-Leary grabbed a heel hook and held onto it for close to a minute before Jimenez tapped.

Langaker had an arm-triangle for some time in round 2 on Canuto, but couldn’t finish. He did get a pair of 10-8 scores from the judges for his effort, though.

Lucas Barbosa with a great come-from-behind knee-crush to get the win from Jozef Chen.

For much more on the upcoming CJI tournament click here.

Source: 
https://www.mmamania.com/2024/8/16/24219514/craig-jones-invitational-results-live-stream-bracket-updates-day-1-jiu-jitsu-youtube