Craig Jones Invitational 2 Las Vegas 2025: Teams, Superfights, Tickets & Livestream

Event Overview

The team field features powerhouse rooms and regional select squads (e.g., 10th Planet, B-Team, New Wave, Atos, Pedigo “Daisy Fresh,” plus Americas/Europe/Australasia). Expect frequent lineup tweaks as gyms lock final rosters. For confirmed names and late changes, monitor the official hub and the live ticket listings at UNLV Tickets. Background and roster tracking are also reported by specialist outlets such as MMA Mania and FloGrappling.

Format & Rules

The Craig Jones Invitational 2 is structured around a No-Gi submission grappling format. Unlike traditional Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments that use the gi (kimono), No-Gi athletes compete in rashguards and shorts. This speeds up exchanges, favors wrestling transitions, and mirrors the grappling style most common in MMA competition.

The main feature is the eight-team tournament. Each squad consists of five grapplers representing either an elite academy (such as Atos, B-Team, or 10th Planet) or a regional select lineup (e.g. Team Americas, Team Europe). Matches follow a relay-style system where athletes face off until a winner is declared. Teams advance through knockout rounds until one champion is crowned and claims the $1,000,000 prize.

Rules emphasize submissions over points. A grappler can win via tap-out (joint lock or choke), referee stoppage, or clear dominance within the allowed time. Stalling penalties discourage inactivity, and overtime rules ensure decisive outcomes. This approach makes contests fan-friendly, with fewer drawn-out score disputes and more emphasis on finishes.

In addition to the team bracket, CJI 2 introduces a women’s open division with a record-breaking $100,000 purse. This represents the highest-paying women’s grappling event to date, underscoring the promotion’s ambition to expand beyond male competition and highlight emerging female talent on a global stage.

Teams & Fighters

The Craig Jones Invitational 2 gathers some of the strongest grappling rooms and select squads worldwide. Eight teams, each consisting of five competitors, will battle through elimination rounds. Confirmed lineups include powerhouse academies such as B-Team, Atos, 10th Planet, New Wave, and Pedigo Daisy Fresh, alongside regional select squads like Team Americas, Team Europe, and Team Australasia.

Confirmed Teams

• B-Team Jiu-Jitsu – Known for aggressive wrestling-based grappling, led by Craig Jones and Nicky Rodriguez.
• Atos – One of the most decorated academies, producing champions across IBJJF and ADCC competitions.
• 10th Planet – Famous for innovative guard systems and high submission rates.
• New Wave – John Danaher’s camp, home to precision leg-lock specialists and world champions.
• Pedigo Daisy Fresh – Illinois-based underdog team with relentless work ethic and a cult following.
• Team Americas – A select lineup of North and South American grapplers.
• Team Europe – Featuring European grappling standouts with MMA crossover experience.
• Team Australasia – Showcasing talent from Australia and New Zealand, including Craig Jones himself.

Key Athletes to Watch

• Craig Jones – Event founder and headliner. Known for elite leg-lock systems and charismatic showmanship.
• Nicky Rodriguez – “Nicky Rod” combines wrestling explosiveness with submission grappling, a proven star from ADCC.
• Gable Steveson – Olympic wrestling gold medalist making a grappling debut in the headline superfight.
• Helena Crevar – Teenage prodigy competing in the women’s $100,000 tournament, already a fan favorite.
• Ana Carolina Vieira – World champion bringing depth and experience to the women’s bracket.

The mix of veteran champions, rising stars, and crossover athletes from wrestling and MMA ensures that CJI 2 delivers not only high-level grappling technique but also compelling narratives that resonate beyond the jiu-jitsu community.

Highlight Matches & Storylines

Beyond the team competition, the Craig Jones Invitational 2 offers superfights and unique narratives that elevate it from a grappling showcase into a combat sports spectacle. With a mix of established stars and crossover athletes, CJI 2 is designed to capture both hardcore grappling fans and the wider MMA audience.

Craig Jones vs. Gable Steveson

The headline bout pairs event founder Craig Jones, one of the most dangerous submission specialists in the world, against Gable Steveson, an Olympic wrestling gold medalist. This clash of styles—elite leg-lock grappling vs. world-class freestyle wrestling—has sparked huge interest across MMA and BJJ communities. It poses the classic question: can wrestling dominance withstand the precision of modern submission systems?

Women’s $100,000 Tournament

For the first time, CJI introduces a women’s open division with a record-setting $100,000 prize. Leading the lineup is teenage sensation Helena Crevar, alongside decorated champions such as Ana Carolina Vieira. This initiative not only highlights rising female athletes but also sets a new standard for pay equity in professional grappling. Expect breakout performances and fresh rivalries in a bracket that will shape the future of women’s BJJ.

Team Rivalries and Style Clashes

Beyond individual stars, team rivalries fuel anticipation. B-Team and New Wave continue their competitive split after the Danaher Death Squad breakup, while Atos and 10th Planet represent distinct philosophies—traditional control vs. experimental guard play. Fans can expect unpredictable outcomes, as the tournament format forces gyms to adapt quickly and deploy different strategies in relay matchups.

MMA Crossovers

Several athletes in the field are either current or aspiring MMA fighters. Their performances in CJI 2 will be closely watched by fans and promoters, as grappling success often translates into MMA relevance. The event’s visibility and free streaming make it an important showcase for fighters aiming to expand their profiles.

Livestream & Broadcast Information

One of the key factors behind the popularity of the Craig Jones Invitational is its free global access. Unlike most combat sports promotions that operate behind expensive pay-per-view models, CJI 2 is expected to stream live on platforms such as YouTube, making it accessible to millions of fans worldwide. This strategy significantly expands the reach of professional grappling and positions the event as an alternative to mainstream MMA broadcasts.

The full event, including the 8-team tournament, women’s $100,000 bracket, and the headline Jones vs. Steveson superfight, will be available via online stream. Detailed schedules and official streaming links will be published shortly before the event at cji2.com. Fans should verify time zones as the event is held in Las Vegas (Pacific Time).

By eliminating financial barriers to viewing, CJI 2 continues its mission to grow the sport of grappling and to showcase elite-level jiu-jitsu to the widest possible audience. This accessibility also fuels online discussion, ensuring strong presence across social media platforms during and after the event.

Significance for MMA and Combat Sports

While CJI 2 is officially a No-Gi grappling tournament, its importance extends far beyond the jiu-jitsu community. Grappling is one of the three pillars of MMA alongside striking and wrestling, and success in events like CJI can influence a fighter’s reputation and marketability in mixed martial arts. For promoters, the event is a scouting ground; for athletes, it is an opportunity to demonstrate elite ground skills under a spotlight.

The Jones vs. Steveson superfight is particularly relevant for MMA fans. Steveson, an Olympic wrestling champion, has already been linked to professional wrestling and MMA transitions. His performance against Craig Jones will provide insight into how world-class wrestlers adapt against submission specialists—an ongoing theme in the evolution of MMA. If Steveson impresses, speculation about his MMA debut will only intensify.

The women’s $100,000 tournament also carries broader implications. By offering the highest purse in women’s grappling history, CJI pushes combat sports toward greater gender equity. This aligns with trends in MMA, where stars such as Ronda Rousey, Amanda Nunes, and Valentina Shevchenko helped establish women’s divisions as mainstream attractions. CJI’s investment in female grapplers could accelerate similar recognition in grappling-only formats.

Finally, the free broadcast strategy sets CJI apart from MMA’s paywall-heavy ecosystem. By prioritizing accessibility, the event builds a global fan base that may later convert to ticket buyers, merchandise customers, or MMA audiences. This approach echoes early UFC strategies in the 2000s, when exposure was prioritized to grow the sport’s footprint.

Visitor Information

For fans planning to attend the Craig Jones Invitational 2 live, the venue is the iconic Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Known primarily as the home arena of the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels, the complex has also hosted major boxing cards, concerts, and international sports events. Its central location on the UNLV campus makes it easily accessible from the Las Vegas Strip and McCarran International Airport.

Tickets

Tickets are available via UNLV Tickets. Fans are advised to secure seats early, as the event is expected to draw not only grappling enthusiasts but also international MMA supporters. Pricing varies by section, with VIP packages offering closer seating and exclusive access.

Travel and Accommodation

Las Vegas offers extensive options for accommodation, ranging from budget-friendly hotels to luxury resorts along the Strip. Ride-sharing services, taxis, and the Las Vegas Monorail make transportation convenient. For international visitors, Las Vegas is directly connected by McCarran International Airport with flights from across North America, Europe, and Asia.

Fan Experience

Attending CJI 2 in Las Vegas is more than just watching grappling. Fans can combine the event with the city’s renowned entertainment, dining, and nightlife options. With UFC headquarters also based in Las Vegas, combat sports tourism is a major attraction, and CJI 2 adds another highlight to the fight capital’s calendar.

Conclusion & Outlook

The Craig Jones Invitational 2 is more than a grappling tournament—it is a statement event for the future of combat sports. With its record-breaking prize pools, high-profile superfights, and a groundbreaking women’s division, CJI 2 positions itself as a must-watch fixture on the global calendar. By combining accessibility through free livestreaming with elite-level competition, the event is reshaping how audiences engage with submission grappling.

For MMA fans, CJI 2 offers valuable insights into the skill sets that often define fights inside the cage. With stars like Craig Jones and Gable Steveson headlining, and with the sport’s most promising women competing for history-making prizes, Las Vegas will host an event that blends spectacle, athleticism, and innovation.

As the tournament concludes, one key question will remain: can CJI establish itself as the “Super Bowl of grappling”, returning each year with even larger purses and broader mainstream attention? If the second edition succeeds, the answer will almost certainly be yes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)