Forty-four of the world’s top grapplers have arrived upon Las Vegas for the Craig Jones Invitational 2 at the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. At stake: a $1 million cash prize to be split among the winning team.
The two-day event continues Sunday, Aug. 31 at 8:30 ET/5:30 PDT and will feature an eight team bracket in the quintet format, as well as a four-woman bracket for $100,000.
The event stream will be live on FloGrappling, and free on FloGrappling YouTube channel. Can’t watch the action? Stay tuned here for real time results, updates and analysis throughout the CJI 2 weekend!
2025 Craig Jones Invitational 2
CJI Day 2 Schedule | Sunday, Aug. 31
Pre-Show: 8:30pm ET | Matches begin 9:00pm ET
Order of Matches:
-
Team New Wave vs Team Atos
-
Team Australia vs B Team
-
$100k Female Bracket Final
-
Craig Jones vs Chael Sonnen
-
$1 Million New Wave vs B Team Final
QUICK RESULTS (DAY 2)
Craig Jones def Chael Sonnen via buggy choke, rematches him, and buggy chokes him again
Helena Crevar def Sarah Galvão via Aoki lock in round three
New Wave def Atos via last man standing
- Vagner Rocha vs Kaynan Duarte – double elimination draw
- Mica Galvão vs Lucas Hulk Barbosa – double elimination draw
- Luke Griffith def Diego Pato via rear naked choke
- Felipe Pena def Luke Griffith via armbar
- Dorian Olivarez vs Felipe Pena – double elimination draw
- Giancarlo Bodoni def Ronaldo Junior via armbar
B Team def Team Australia via last man standing
- Chris Wojcik vs Lucas Kanard – double elimination draw
- Nick Rodriguez vs Kenta Iwamoto – double elimination draw
- Ethan Crelinsten vs Declan Moody – double elimination draw
- Victor Hugo def Fabricio Andrey via katagatame
- Victor Hugo def Belal Etiabari via katagatame
Craig Jones Invitational 2 Live Updates, Results From Las Vegas Day 2
Refresh the page regularly to find the latest live updates below.
Craig Jones Submits Chael Sonnen With A Buggy Choke (TWICE)
The walkout was longer than the match. At least the first time.
Craig Jones came to the mat with an elaborate walkout featuring a performance by Riff Raff. On the mat, Sonnen took Jones down and passed to side control, where he was quickly rendered unconscious by a buggy choke.
The crowd petitioned for another round, and Sonnen accepted. The instant rematch was much the same. Sonnen scored another takedown, and passed the guard again, walking into yet another buggy choke — and another trip to Valhalla to boot.
Helena Crevar Submits Sarah Galvão via Aoki Lock, Wins $100,000
Round One
Galvão led with passing pressure, especially along the pit wall. Crevar had one good angle on a leg kick, which she held for about a minute before Galvao returned to stacking pressure. She never secured the pass, but largely controlled most of the pace.
Two judges ruled the round 10-9 for Crevar, while the third called it 10-9 for Galvao.
Round Two
Galvao contributed with passing pressure, and led the attacking game, dropping back for foot locks on a couple or occasions. Crevar had the best attack in the round, a brief arm attack.
Three judges unanimously ruled the round 10-9 for Crevar.
Round Three
Galvao shot a double to open the round and went on a chase for the back. She landed in Crevar a guard, where Crevar fished her way into an Aoki lock, which she finished. Helena Crevar submitted Sarah Galvao to win $100,000.
B TEAM def TEAM AUSTRALASIA via last man standing
8:18pm local time: +99kg HUGO (B Team) vs +99kg ETIABARI (Australia)
More solid passing work for Victor Hugo, who crept slowly into mount to secure his second arm triangle, ending the semifinal with $100,000 in bonuses. B Team advances via last man standing, with Jozef Chen never having to take the mats. B Team will face New Wave in the final.
8:09pm local time: +99kg HUGO (B Team) def -66kg ANDREY (Australia)
Fabricio Andrey had moments of brilliance, but when Hugo took hold of the reigns, he never let them go. Finishing with an arm triangle from mount, Victor Hugo holds his spot on the mat. His opponent: Belal Etiabari
7:59pm local time: -66kg CRELINSTEN (B Team) vs -99kg MOODY (Australia)
Declan Moody’s guard passing has appeared on another level throughout the event. He passed Crelinsten several times, but couldn’t lock down a submission, due largely to the amazing defense of the B Team rep. Both men are eliminated, paving the way for a rematch between Fabricio Andrey (Australia) and Victor Hugo (B Team)
7:49pm local time: -99kg RODRIGUEZ (B Team) vs -77kg IWAMOTO (Australia)
One of the most dynamic, back and forth matches of the event. Iwamoto had moments of brilliance, including a solid ankle lock. But Rodriguez mounted pressure and head lock attempts through the end of the match. Still, both were eliminated.
B Team tapped on Ethan Crelinsten to fill in, while Australia sent in Declan Moody.
7:36pm local time: -88kg WOJCIK (B Team) vs -88kg KANARD (Australia)
A leg lock shootout between two leg specialists. As is often the case, it ended in a stalemate and a double elimination. It’s was neck and neck, though the judges likely favored Kanard in this one.
B Team sent Nick Rodriguez to step in, while Australia sent Kenta Iwamoto.
NEW WAVE def ATOS via last man standing
7:08pm local time: -88kg BODONI (New Wave) def -77kg JUNIOR (Atos)
An instant Giancarlo Bodoni classic. He demonstrated violent wrestling aggression against the wall, heavy passing pressure, and slow creeping and calm pressure from back control. But it was a dynamic submission that got the job done. As Ronaldo was working to escape the mount, he left his arm behind. Bodoni picked it up to guarantee his team’s spot in the final.
New Wave advances to the final via last man standing.
6:59pm local time: +99kg PENA (Atos) vs -66kg OLIVAREZ (New Wave)
A brilliant strategy from team New Wave to send out the cardio machine Dorian Olivarez against the gassed Pena. The match went to a draw for double elimination, but that speaks nothing to Olivarez one-sided domination of the man 80 pounds larger.
Olivarez passed several times, and finished the match hand smother Pena from mount against the pit wall. It now comes down to the final athlete for each team: Bodoni and Ronaldo Junior.
6:46pm local time: +99kg PENA (Atos) def +99kg GRIFFITH (New Wave)
The fastest start from Pena in recent memory, scoring a quick takedown to the back and then going on constant attack. He spent much of the mount working for an arm triangle from mount, then spammed attacks until he finally found an armbar in the second half of the match. A wild flurry of attacks from a usually slow-starting Preguiça.
6:37 local time: +99kg GRIFFITH (New Wave) def -66kg PATO (Atos)
Pato opened hot, sweeping to the top position, then nearly taking Griffith’s back. But when Pato got too ambitious on a leg lock, Griffith collected on the bill. Griffith passed to the back and scored a rear naked choke to knock Pato out of the match.
His replacement: Felipe Pena.
6:31pm local time:-77kg GALVAO (New Wave) vs -88kg BARBOSA (Atos)
Little action for the first half of the match, then a flurry which put Galvão on his back. Hulk worked in the guard to pin Galvão against the wall, and was starting to pass when the referee interrupted to take a point from Hulk for passivity, resetting Mica on the top position. Ultimately, that didn’t impact the result. Both men were eliminated.
Atos called for Pato to step in, while New Wave sent out heavyweight Luke Griffith.
6:18pm local time: -88kg ROCHA (New Wave) vs -99kg DUARTE (Atos)
Total domination from Duarte for the first six minutes. An arm drag put him on top, where he passed to mount and attacked before taking the back for further threats. With two minutes remaining he lost control, and continued to pressure Rocha’s guard for the duration.
Both men were elimination, paving way for Atos’ Lucas Barbosa and New Wave’s Mica Galvao.
6:05pm local time:
The coaches are now matside, and the semifinals of the $1 million bracket are set to kick off.
With his first selection, New Wave coach John Danaher sent out Vagner Rocha. For his first athlete to take the mat, Atos coach Andre Galvão selected Kaynan Duarte.
5:45pm local time:
The doors at the Thomas & Mack are open, and the athletes of the first team duel have taken the mats in the warmup areas backstage. Up first in the team duels on Day 2 will be Atos vs New Wave.
Who will the teams send out first? That’s yet to be revealed. In many of the team pairings yesterday, coaches sent out at least on of their heavyweights first, and many winning teams kept a heavyweight on reserve for later rounds.
Will any of the coaches change their tactics for the semis and finals?
What Happened On The First Day of CJI 2? What To Expect On Day 2
Eight teams diminished down to four on the opening day of the Craig Jones Invitational 2 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Teams New Wave, Australia, Atos and B Team advanced, knocking out America, Europe, 10th Planet and Daisy Fresh.
Inside the four pit walls, the athletes left many matches to the judges, as just five of the more than 20 matches ended in submission. Craig Jones appears to have the solution. Early this morning on Instagram he announced that he will reward a $50,000 bonus for any submission during the Quintet tournament.
Submissions only played a roll in team duel. New Wave and Team America each had one submission, cancelling each other out and leaving the team duel to referee decision. Atos and Europe went to a decision in all five matches, going to decision. 10th Planet and Australia had one submission a piece, going to decision. In the B Team vs Daisy Fresh duel, only Nick Rodriguez scored a submission (over Brandon Reed) giving B Team the advantage in the team duel for the win.
After the first day, only Ethan Crelinsten is 100-percent fresh, as he was the last man standing on B Team. That could play a factor on the second day of the event, where B Team will face Team Australia first.
In the four-woman bracket for $100,000, Helena Crevar won a narrow decision over Adele Fornarino, using her passing game and leg lock threats to get the edge. Sarah Galvão defeated Ana Carolina Vieira, losing the first round before coming alive with wrestling on the pit wall, and threatening with consistent back attack and triangle threats.
Craig Jones Invitational 2 Live Updates, Results From Las Vegas Day 1
Refresh the page regularly to find the latest live updates below.
Sarah Galvão def Ana Carolina Vieira
Vieira slightly outwrestled Galvão in the opening round. But in round two, Galvão hit a clean uchi mata off the pit wall and then unleashed a flurry of submissions to win the round. In round three, it was more success for Galvão, who hit another impressive takedown off the pit wall and then went attacked Vieira’s back for the remainder of the round. She will move ahead to take on Crevar in tomorrow’s final.
Adele Fornarino def Helena Crevar
Round 1: Fornarino pulled guard and tried for a Mir lock. She spent much of the round fishing for legs, but not collecting. Crevar attempted two leg locks herself, slightly more convincing to win a 10-9 across the board in the first round.
Round 2: Fornarino switched her focus to the upper body in round two, hunting two armbars. Crevar continued working toward leg locks. Two of the judges gave the round to Fornarino, one to Crevar.
Round 3: For a third consecutive round, Crevar toggled between passing pressure and leg attacks. This round, Fornarino couldn’t offer any submission attempts in return. Crevar took the round 10-9 to win the unanimous decision and advance to the final tomorrow.
11:18pm local time:
With the $1 million bracket done for the night, four teams have advanced to day two. New Wave, Atos and Team Australia won by submission, while B-Team advanced via last man standing on the heels of Nicky Rod’s sole submission in the team head to head.
CJI Day 2 Bracket Pairings:
- New Wave vs Atos
- Team Australia vs B-Team
DAISY FRESH def B-TEAM
11:16pm local time:ON THE MAT: -77kg LEON (Daisy Fresh) vs +99kg HUGO (B-Team)
Hugo spent eight minutes camping in and trying to pass Leon’s guard. Nothing going, but that left both men eliminated. Nicky Rod’s submission was the deciding factor in the team dual, as that left Ethan Crelinsten as the lone man still standing in the team head to head. B-Team will advance to day 2.
11:03pm local time: -88kg COUCH (Daisy Fresh) vs -88kg WOJCIK (B-Team)
Couch opened with a flurry of leg attacks. As the match endured, Wojcik started his passing game, getting to the top of halfguard with pressure before time expired. Both men were eliminated. Daisy Fresh sent out their final athlete, Dante Leon, while B-Team sent Victor Hugo.
10:53pm local time: -99kg PIXLEY (Daisy Fresh) vs -99kg RODRIGUEZ (B-Team)
Pixley landed a huge takedown early, and followed it up with a series of front headlocks. He did nothing to pass Rodriguez’ guard, but Nicky Rod was equally fruitless in the attacking realm. Both men were eliminated.
Daisy Fresh put Jacob Couch forward, while B-Team sent out
10:40pm local time: +99kg REED (Daisy Fresh) vs -99kg RODRIGUEZ (B-Team)
Reed stayed disciplined in using his superior wrestling for most of the match, but fell victim to Rodriguez’ wrestle-up style. Rodriguez set the trap, then got behind Reed and immediately set the body triangle. After brief hand fighting, he set the rear naked choke.
With Reed eliminated, Daisy Fresh sent forth Michael Pixley.
10:29pm local time: -66kg HANSON (Daisy Fresh) vs -77kg CHEN (B-Team)
Chen fought to pass Hanson’s felxible guard for minutes before finally securing and mounting. He offered a few threats, but couldn’t conclude the match with a submission. Both men were eliminated.
Daisy Fresh called on +99kg Brandon Reed while B-Team brought out -99kg Nick Rodriguez.
TEAM AUSTRALIA def 10th PLANET
9:54pm local time: +99kg BOEHM (10th Planet) vs -77ks IWAMOTO (Australia)
Iwamoto kept consistent passing pressure, often running into Boehm’s rubber guard. Iwamoto finished the match with a clean kosoto gari foot sweep, but couldn’t follow through as time wound down. Both men were eliminated, leaving yet another team duel to the judges scorecards.
The judges scored it 40-36 unanimously for Team Australia
9:42pm local time: +99kg ETIBALDI (Australia) vs +99kg BOEHM (10th Planet)
The heavyweight returned the favor for his fallen teammate. Boehm secured a nasty inside heel hook against the pit wall in less three minutes to return the team duel to tied.
Australia sent -77kg Kenta Iwamoto, their last man standing, to try for sudden victory.
9:37pm local time: +99kg ETIBALDI (Australia) vs -66kg MARTINEZ (10th Planet)
Another submission controversy. Geo Martinez said he didn’t tap to an ankle lock which he held off for nearly four minutes before the referee stopped the match due to what appeared to be a tap.
10th Planet sent in Kyle Boehm to take on Australia’s heavyweight.
9:39pm local time: -66kg ANDREY (Australia) vs -77kg SANCHEZ (10th Planet)
Fabricio threatened the neck early, then showed off some flashy passing and a late ankle pick takedown, but couldn’t seal the deal with a submission. Both athletes were eliminated.
Team Australia called Belal Etiabari while 10th Planet called Geo Martinez.
9:17pm local time: +99kg MOODY (Australia) vs -99kg AITKEN (10th Planet)
Aitken opened aggressive, but Moody took control. He passed the often-trick guard of Aitken on three separate occasions. Moody tried to finish the job with a submission, but couldn’t collect on his good positions. Both men were eliminated.
Australia called Fabricio Andrey, while 10th Planet called Alan Sanchez.
9:04pm local time: -88kg BARCH (10th Planet) vs -88kg KANARD (Australia)
Kanard pulled guard and kept Barch under siege with leg attacks for several minutes. Barch started attacking leg locks himself in the final quarter of the match, but neither athlete caught one. Both were eliminated.
10th Planet called Alan Sanchez while Australia summoned Fabricio Andrey.
ATOS def TEAM EUROPE
8:35pm local time: -66kg PATO (Atos) vs +99kg ARDILLA (Europe)
Pato pulled guard early, and tried to get something going, but Ardilla remained camping throughout the match from offensive positions, and cagey from nutural positions, bringing the match — and the team duel — to a draw.
The judges scored the duel 49-46, 49-46, 49-46 for Atos.
8:24pm local time: -88kg MACIULEWICZ (Europe) vs +99kg PENA (Atos)
Maciulewicz had an extended bite on Pena’s leg with a straight ankle lock, but couldn’t finish. Pena escaped and passed the guard, where he threatened the Pol’s neck and arms, Marcin escaped, and the match ended on the feet, with both men eliminated.
It goes down to the final two: -66kg Diego Pato for Atos and +99kg Paul Ardilla for Europe.
8:15pm local time: -99kg DUARTE (Atos) vs -66kg JONES (Europe)
Duarte opened with heavy paws, bullying the Englishman to the mat. The four-time ADCC champ dropped heavy pressure for eight minutes, but couldn’t crack the guard of Owen Jones. Both men were eliminated.
Team Europe called Marcin Maciulewicz, while Atos called Felipe Pena.
7:59pm local time: -88kg NEGROMONTE (Europe) vs -77kg JUNIOR (Atos)
In a wrestling stalemate, both men had glimmers of offense. Ronaldo Junior had a bite on an Aoki lock for a moment, but the match was without much concrete action. Both men are eliminated.
Team Europe called -66kg Owen Jones, while Atos called -99kg Kaynan Duarte
7:48pm local time – -77kg JAWORSKI (Europe) vs -88kg BARBOSA (Atos)
Hulk lived up to his nickname, trying to smash through the guard of the young Pol. But Jaworski continued to spam attacks from seemingly poor positions, working triangles and leg locks. Nothing going, both men were eliminated. Europe sent forward -88kg Charles Negromante, while Atos sent -77kg Ronaldo Junior.
NEW WAVE def TEAM AMERICA
7:16pm local time – -66kg D. CORBE vs -77kg GALVAO
Mica Galvão applied pressure from the top, running into a leg lock effort from Corbe but weathering it. Galvão tried over and over for his favorite armbar but couldn’t secure control of it. The match went to a draw, bringing the teams to a draw at the end of five matches.
The judges: 40-36, 39-37, 39-36 for team New Wave. New Wave advances to Day 2.
7:04pm local time – -66kg OLIVAREZ vs -88kg PEARMAN
Olivarez opened with a passing flurry early, but walked into a tight armbar from Pearman. Olivarez escaped and continued flurrying side to side. He eventually passed and mounted but couldn’t secure a submission. Both were eliminated.
The match will be decided by the final representatives from each team: Mica Galvão for New Wave and Deandre Cobre for Team America.
6:53pm local time – -99kg BODONI vs -88kg PEARMAN
Paerman opened aggressively with a concerted effort for leg locks. Bodoni got to his passing game, despite frequent leg attacks from Pearman. Pearman entered on an intense one, forcing Bodoni to defend heavily. Pearman let go, suggesting that Bodoni had tapped, forcing a video review. The sideline judges confirmed the tap, eliminating Bodoni from the matchup.
Team New Wave sent forth -66kg Dorian Olivarez.
6:41pm local time – -88kg BODONI vs -66kg G.CORBE
Bodoni bullied Corbe against the pit wall. Corbe had an initial attempt at a leg lock, but Bodoni systematically worked his way behind Corbe and secured the rear naked choke to stay on.
Team America sends out Taylor Pearman
6:33pm local time – -77kg DORSEY vs -88kg ROCHA
A wrestling battle between the two, during which, Rocha — ever a savage — lost his tooth and threw it mat side before continuing. Rocha had a kimura towards the end of the match, which ultimately went to a draw. Both athletes were eliminated.
Coach Greg Souders called -66 Gavin Corbe. His opponent from team New Wave: -99 Giancarlo Bodoni.
6:20pm local time – +99kg GRIFFITH vs +99kg DOWNEY
Griffith sat to guard and launched an impressive flurry of triangle attempts, but slowed down as Downey played a tactical, cagey game. Griffith finished the match on Downey’s back, but couldn’t secure submission in time. The two big fellas cancelled each other out. Coach John Danaher called -88kg Vagner Rocha to step forward and represent the team next, while coach Greg Souders called -77kg Elijah Dorsey.
6:06pm local time:
The athletes are taking the mat at CJI! Up first, it’s Pat Downey (Team America) vs Luke Griffith (New Wave).
5:30pm PDT (Las Vegas Time):
The first two teams are loaded up in the warmup areas backstage. The first teams to take the mat will be New Wave, coached by John Danaher, and Team America, coached by Greg Souders. Who will be the first to take the mats? Only the coaches know.
CJI 2 Day 1 Schedule – Team Duels & Women’s Bracket | Saturday, Aug 30
- New Wave vs Team Americas
- Team Atos vs Team Europe
- 10th Planet vs Team Australia
- B Team vs Daisy Fresh
- Helena Crevar vs Adele Fornarino
- Sarah Galvao vs Ana Carolina Vieira
What Are The Teams For CJI 2?
10th Planet
- -66kg: Geo Martinez
- -77kg: Alan Sanchez
- -88kg: PJ Barch
- -99kg: Ryan Aitken
- +99kg: Kyle Boehm
- Coach: Eddie Bravo
New Wave Jiu-Jitsu
- -66kg: Dorian Olivarez
- -77kg: Mica Galvão
- -88kg: Vagner Rocha
- -99kg: Giancarlo Bodoni
- +99kg: Luke Griffith
- Coach: John Danaher
B-Team Jiu-Jitsu
- -66kg: Ethan Crelinsten
- -77kg: Jozef Chen
- -88kg: Chris Wojcik
- -99kg: Nick Rodriguez
- +99kg: Victor Hugo
- Coach: Nicky Ryan & Damien Anderson
Team Australia/Asia
- -66kg: Fabricio Andrey
- -77kg: Kenta Iwamoto
- -88kg: Lucas Kanard
- -99kg: Declan Moody
- +99kg: Belal Etiabari
- Coach: Lachlan Giles
Team Americas
- -66kg: Gavin Corbe
- -77kg: Deandre Corbe
- -88kg: Elijah Dorsey
- -99kg: Taylor Pearman
- +99kg: Pat Downey
- Coach: Greg Souders
Team Europe
- -66kg: Owen Jones
- -77kg: Pawel Jaworski
- -88kg: Paul Ardilla
- -99kg: Charles Negromonte
- +99kg: Marcin Maciulewicz
- Coach: Faris Benlamkadem
Team Atos
- -66kg: Diego Pato
- -77kg: Ronaldo Junior
- -88kg: Lucas Barbosa
- -99kg: Kaynan Duarte
- +99kg: Felipe Pena
- Coach: Andre Galvão
Pedigo Submission Fighting
- -66kg: Max Hanson
- -77kg: Dante Leon
- -88kg: Jacob Couch
- -99kg: Michael Pixley
- +99kg: Brandon Reed
- Coach: Heath Pedigo
Women’s $100k Bracket
CJI will hold its first women’s bracket for $100,000, featuring four of the best in the world competing in an open weight bracket. They will be:
- Adele Fornarino
- Helena Crevar
- Ana Carolina Vieira
- Sarah Galvão
How To Watch The Craig Jones Invitational 2025
This event will be streaming live on FloGrappling and the FloGrappling YouTube channel for free.
What Are CJI Rules?
CJI rules are an attempt to make grappling as accessible for fans of MMA as possible, so the matches follow the same time and scoring format as bouts in the UFC or other organizations. Three rounds of five minutes each where a submission ends the match at any time. CJI matches also happen in the pit, a slanted walled surface that aims to keep action continuous. The pit walls can be used for any submission or technique that you can think up.
What Are Quintet Rules?
The matches at CJI had scoring but if they follow true Quintet rules for CJI 2, those scores won’t be necessary. In Quintet rules, any two people from each team begin the match and compete against each other. If no one wins by submission, the match is declared a draw and both are eliminated. If someone does win by submission, they stay and take on the next member of the opposing team until they either get submitted or compete to a draw. It’s possible one person can go through an entire team by themselves. If both teams end up with everyone eliminated, there are traditionally tie-breaking criteria around penalties and aggression to help determine a team winner.
It has been confirmed that CJI 2 tournament matches will be eight minutes long. It remains to be seen what, if any, other changes that CJI 2 makes to the Quintet system.
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