VIDEO: Jones Cancels Himself With Pre-Fight Staredown Kiss

Instagram: @craigjonesbjj

The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) is finally upon us. Meanwhile, Jones is upon his opponent, Gabi Garcia.

Everyone loves some good competition and Australia’s Jones is creating exactly that with his head-to-head alternative to the world-famous Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) this weekend. CJI will feature tons of talented grapplers competing over the next two nights (Fri., Aug. 16 and 17, 2024). You can watch day one here and day two here.

In a long-anticipated and often teased intergender grappling match, Jones will take on nine-time ADCC champion, Garcia. At least, that was the plan until he complicated things with his friendly expression in the embedded video above.

All jokes aside, the event should be a great night in grappling and the serious money on the line makes the overall head-to-head element in the community a compelling one. In Jones vs. Garcia, specifically, the man himself is so confident in his abilities that he has placed a $100,000 bet on a win via leg lock, his signature submission type.

Even for competitors who are no longer just grapplers, mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters and contenders in Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) like Mackenzie Dern couldn’t say no to the opportunity.

For much more on the upcoming CJI tourney click here.