The Craig Jones Invitational 2: Event Roster Release

Craig Jones Invitational 2

The Craig Jones Invitational 2: Event Roster Release

After a successful inaugural event, the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) is set to return to the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, on August 30-31, 2025. The sophomore event promises to be a spectacle for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) fans and athletes alike, with a stacked lineup of athletes, including the man himself, Craig Jones, taking on Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Stevenson in one of the marquee super fights of the event.

A New Format: Team Tournament for $1 Million

In a bold move, CJI 2 will feature a team tournament format in partnership with Quintet. Eight teams will compete for a massive $1 million prize pool, with each team consisting of five grapplers, one from each weight class. In the case that a team lacks a competitor in a particular weight class, they’ll be allowed to choose a wild card pick to fill the spot.

The event will showcase some of the best teams in BJJ, including fan favorites like 10th Planet, B-Team, New Wave, and a variety of "misfit" teams from different regions. Atos and “Daisy Fresh” Pedigo Submission Fighting are the final two teams to be confirmed, rounding out an epic contest that will surely have the crowd buzzing.

The Highest-Paying Women’s Tournament in BJJ History

CJI 2 will also make history with its $100,000 four-woman tournament, touted as the highest-paying women's tournament in BJJ. The incredible roster of female competitors includes:

• Helena Crevar — WNO Champion

• Adele Fornarino — 2024 ADCC double gold medalist

• Ana Carolina Vieira — 2024 ADCC Champion, 6x IBJJF World Champion

• Grappler 4 (TBA)

The stakes are high for these elite athletes, and this tournament promises to be one of the most exciting aspects of the entire event.

The Full Fight Card and Team Rosters for CJI 2

Here’s what we know so far about the full list of competitors and teams confirmed for CJI 2:

Super Fights

• Craig Jones vs. Gable Stevenson

$100,000 Four-Woman Tournament

• Helena Crevar

• Adele Fornarino

• Ana Carolina Vieira

• Grappler 4 (TBA)

$1 Million, Eight-Team Tournament

10th Planet Roster:

• 66 kg: Geo Martinez — 3x EBI champ

• 77 kg: Alan Sanchez — 2024 EBI champ

• 88 kg: PJ Barch — ADCC 2024 Bronze

• 99 kg: Ryan Aitken — 2024 PGF champ

• +99 kg: Kyle Boehm — 2022 ADCC Trials winner

• Coach: Eddie Bravo

New Wave Roster:

• 66 kg: Dorian Olivarez — 2023 ADCC Trials winner

• 77 kg: (Internal Trials Winner)

• 88 kg: Giancarlo Bodoni — Two-time ADCC World Champion

• 99 kg: Luke Griffith — 2024 ADCC Silver Medalist

• +99 kg: Dan Manasoiu — 2023 ADCC Trials winner

• Coach: John Danaher

B-Team Roster:

• 66 kg: Ethan Crelinsten — Polaris Champ

• 77 kg: Jozef Chen — 2023 ADCC Trials winner

• 88 kg: Chris Wojcik — 2024 PGF Silver Medalist

• 99 kg: Nick Rodriguez — CJI 1 Openweight Champion

• +99 kg: Victor Hugo — 5-time IBJJF World Champion (Wild Card Pick)

• Coach: Dima Murovanni

Atos Roster:

• 66 kg: (TBA)

• 77 kg: (TBA)

• 88 kg: (TBA)

• 99 kg: (TBA)

• +99 kg: Felipe Pena (Wild Card Pick)

• Coach: Andre Galvao

“Daisy Fresh” Pedigo Submission Fighting Roster:

• 66 kg: Max Hanson

• 77 kg: Dante Leon

• 88 kg: Jacob Couch

• 99 kg: Michael Pixley

• +99 kg: Brandon Reed

• Coach: Heath Pedigo

Team Australasia Roster:

• 66 kg: Fabricio Andrey — 2021 IBJJF World Champion (Wild Card Pick)

• 77 kg: Kenta Iwamoto — 3-time ADCC Trials Winner

• 88 kg: Lucas Kanard — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner

• 99 kg: Declan Moody — CJI 2 Trials Winner

• +99 kg: Belal Etiabari — CJI 2 Trials 2nd Place

• Coach: Lachlan Giles

Team Americas Roster:

• 66 kg: Deandre Corbe — 2025 Sapateiro Invitational Champ

• 77 kg: (TBA)

• 88 kg: Taylor Pearman — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner (Wild Card Pick)

• 99 kg: Pat Downey — 2019 US National Wrestling Champion

• +99 kg: (TBA)

• Coach: Greg Souders

Team Europe Roster:

• 66 kg: Owen Jones — 2023 ADCC Trials Winner

• 77 kg: Pawel Jaworski — CJI 2 EU Trials Winner

• 88 kg: Paul Ardila — CJI 2 EU Trials Winner / Wild Card Pick

• 99 kg: Charles Negromonte — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner

• +99 kg: Marcin Maciulewicz — CJI 2 EU Trials Winner

• Coach: Faris Benlamkadem

CJI 2: The Road to Las Vegas

With the fight card filling up and more announcements to come, CJI 2 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated grappling events of the year. As Craig Jones continues to push the boundaries of competitive jiu-jitsu, this event promises not only thrilling super fights but also an action-packed team tournament that will showcase the best talent from around the world.

Stay tuned as we continue to update this post with the latest competitor announcements and team confirmations. With CJI 2 around the corner, there’s no doubt this will be an event you won’t want to miss!

Get ready for the future of BJJ at CJI 2, and see who comes out on top in the battle for $1 million.