#439 – Craig Jones: Jiu Jitsu, $2 Million Prize, CJI, ADCC, Ukraine & Trolling

Craig Jones shares harrowing tales from his travels to the front lines of conflict zones in Kazakhstan and Ukraine. His accounts highlight the intense violence, relentless danger, and the unyielding courage of those living amidst war.

Jones recounts his dangerous experiences traveling to and within Kazakhstan and Ukraine, including narrowly avoiding harm from violent local activities, artillery strikes, and drone threats

Kazakhstan's Kokba and Ukraine's Front Lines

Jones describes his risky encounter with a traditional Kazakh sport called Kokba, where participants vie to grab and deliver a carcass on horseback. A misadventure led him into the game's chaos, where angry riders almost attacked him, upset by his foreign presence amidst their traditional sport.

In Ukraine, Jones lied to his cameraman about the safety of their trip. Upon arrival in Kerson, he switched to an armored vehicle and was soberly asked to provide a number for someone to call in case his body needed to be recovered. There were rigorous filming restrictions to prevent enemy targeting. He was shown drone-blocking technology and declined a helmet, questioning its protective value.

Front Line Dangers and Missile Threats

Traveling to the front lines in Ukraine, Jones saw a hypersonic missile get shot down near his hotel and visited the impact site to collect remnants. Despite constant artillery noise and the presence of destruction in Kherson, he noted most civilians had fled, and the military largely occupied the city.

During this time, the threat of artillery fire was a constant, where close strikes left people injured and killed. Jones recalled staying overnight in a village that came under heavy shelling the following day.

Resilience and Bravery of Ukrainian Soldiers

Jones admired the Ukrainian soldiers' resilience and determination to defend their homeland, contrasting it with different wartime experiences in countries like the US and Australia during World War II. The soldiers dealt with battle fatigue and sometimes used their own funds to purchase equipment as government funding was inadequate. ...

Craig Jones is shaking up the grappling world with the creation of the CJI tournament, which aims to address the long-standing issues with athlete pay and exposure in the sport, and it is already influencing other organizations.

Jones created the CJI tournament with the goal of increasing athlete pay and growing the popularity of grappling

Jones's mission with the CJI tournament is to substantially increase athlete compensation and contribute to the sport's growth. He points out the contrast between the profitability of grappling events and the low athlete earnings, which are often touted as being paid in exposure. To address this, the CJI tournament features over $2 million in prize money, a significant leap compared to other grappling events. Jones designs the tournament to reach the large majority who enjoy jiu-jitsu, drawing from an approach paralleling Anthony Bourdain's influence on food culture. He wants CJI to be accessible to a wide audience and to introduce grappling to people who may not have encountered the sport.

CJI will offer significantly higher prize money than other major grappling events, with $1 million going to the winners of each division

The CJI tournament breaks norms in grappling payouts, offering $1 million to the winners of each division and $10,001 "just to show up," far outstripping the prize for winning events like ADCC. Jones underscores the intention of making the event worth repeating by ensuring athletes give their all.

Jones designed the tournament's unique rules, including the use of an "alley" structure with angled walls to minimize stalling and promote action

Jones is incorporating creative elements to ensure dynamic competition, including an "alley" structure with angled walls inspired by Karate Combat. This feature is intended to minimize stalling and encourage continuous action, changing the nature of the sport and forcing competitors to adapt.

Jones intends for CJI to be freely accessible to watch online, in contrast to other grappling events that are pay-walled, in order to expose the sport to a wider audience

Jones is firm on the CJI tournament being freely accessible online for anyone to watch, similar to how comedians like Mark Norman and Andrew Schultz released specials free of charge to expand their reach. He criticizes events hidden behind paywalls and believes that providing free content grows the audience and will help fund the tournament year after year. He also mentions that ticket sales will go to charity, blending accessibility with philanthropy.

Jones' creation of CJI has already had an im ...

Craig Jones, renowned for his Brazilian jiu-jitsu mastery, has cultivated a distinctive training philosophy and grappling style. His approach to training, techniques, and interactions with other athletes like UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski, reveal his methods and the respect he has earned in the combat sports community.

Jones prefers a relaxed, low-intensity training approach, believing it allows him to perform better under pressure compared to high-volume, grueling training

Jones prefers a 'wing it' approach to competition, finding he performs better when he's relaxed and accepts the outcome. This principle is evident in situations where he's called upon at the last minute or when his training camp is compromised. He contrasts this to the stress of a fixed three-month preparation that can negatively impact his performance. Despite a hectic travel schedule, Jones maintains that sustaining technique and physical condition is key to effective training, even within shorter, more intense training sessions that mimic competition intensity without overexerting the body. He believes in the balance of training duration and intensity, favoring short, high-intensity sessions and systematic problem-solving while training with safe partners to prevent injuries.

Jones is known for developing creative, unexpected techniques and game plans to defeat opponents, often favoring unusual submissions and unorthodox positions

In the grappling world, Jones is celebrated for his creativity and innovative moves that catch opponents off-guard. He enjoys the artistry of the sport, finding creative ways to induce panic during a match and delighting in the unexpected. The financial incentive of developing new techniques also fuels his passion, keeping his practice fresh and engaging.

Jones maintains close relationships with high-level athletes like UFC champion Alexander Volkanovski, learning from their work ethic and mindset

Craig Jones emphasizes his relationship with high-level athletes, prioritizing his involvement ...