Overview
The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 1) was an international submission grappling event created and organized by Craig Jones and his team. Designed as an alternative to traditional major tournaments, CJI 1 emphasized athlete compensation, entertainment value, and open accessibility, with all matches streamed live for free on YouTube. The inaugural edition introduced unprecedented prize money to the sport, establishing it as one of the most high-profile tournaments in modern no-gi grappling.
The event took place on August 16–17, 2024, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, featuring two men’s weight divisions with a $1 million prize awarded to each champion. Nick Rodriguez won the +80kg division, while Kade Ruotolo claimed the −80kg title.
Related Events
Craig Jones Invitational 2