Craig Jones the architect behind the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) has become one of the most vocal critics of the UFC’s entry into grappling. In a recent interview the Australian submission specialist laid out his concerns about what could happen if the UFC gains monopolistic control over the sport of jiu-jitsu.
“If the UFC come in and they like they have a monopoly they control they sign all the athletes then they have all the leverage,” Jones explained to Mighty Mouse. “What incentive do they have to pay you more? That’s my concern with this.”
The issue stems from the UFC’s approach to signing grapplers to exclusive contracts similar to their model in mixed martial arts. While Jones doesn’t oppose the UFC’s participation in grappling he’s troubled by their strategy of eliminating competition through exclusivity deals.
“I don’t mind the UFC entering as another person in this field,” he clarified. “But when I look at that standard I do hope that it wouldn’t end up like that in jiu-jitsu.”
“It’s like kids lifelong dreams to be in the UFC UFC champion. They will bypass better money elsewhere because the UFC is their dream even if it doesn’t pay anywhere near as good.”
The grappling promoter points to concerning examples already emerging in the UFC’s grappling division. When Kennedy Maciel won his match but was told backstage that he wasn’t exciting enough to earn a title shot Jones saw this as a red flag.
“I already see the huge problem in that. If you’re trying to get these guys to bang it out there’s a certain risk.”
Unlike MMA stars whose primary income comes from competing top grapplers earn significantly more from instructional sales through platforms like BJJ Fanatics. If athletes are pressured to be more exciting at the risk of losing their instructional sales could suffer.
“BJJ Fanatics pays infinitely more for me on a regular basis than these super match organizations do,” Jones noted. “So if you keep losing then it’s like I’m not going to buy that [instructional]. He’s getting his a_s beat.”
The UFC’s current approach of offering exclusive contracts while simultaneously copying successful formats from independent promoters like CJI has Jones concerned about the long-term health of grappling. He argues that the sport is at a crossroads where individual athletes still hold significant power by refusing exclusive deals.
“We as individual athletes have a ton of power by saying no to exclusive contracts. If the UFC wants to do a grappling event they will sign one-off deals,” he emphasized.
“Now you will only face who’s willing to sign with the UFC. You might not face the best grapplers in the world,” Jones argued citing an example of a UFC grappling competitor who had never competed in no-gi before their televised match.
CJI 2 happens August 30th and 31st in Las Vegas. It will be broadcast live on youtube for free.
