The inaugural Craig Jones Invitational saw an unexpected turn of events when fan-favorite Kade Ruotolo faced off against ADCC 88kg champion Matheus Diniz in the under 80kg bracket. What started as a high-stakes grappling match quickly escalated into a heated confrontation that left spectators stunned.
The tension was palpable from the start, with a $1 million prize on the line for the bracket winner. The match took an explosive turn when Diniz attempted a foot sweep that some viewers likened to a low kick. This seemingly innocuous move appeared to trigger Ruotolo, who responded with a surprising burst of aggression.
In a moment that blurred the lines between grappling and striking, Ruotolo unleashed what can only be described as a “3 piece and a soda combo” – landing three strikes to Diniz’s head. The unexpected outburst left onlookers shocked, with many anticipating an immediate disqualification for Ruotolo.
However, in a controversial decision, neither competitor was disqualified. The match resumed after a brief pause, with both grapplers shaking hands to signal that no lasting animosity remained. This resolution raised eyebrows among spectators, with some questioning whether Ruotolo’s star power may have influenced the decision to allow the match to continue.
Despite the heated moment, Ruotolo went on to defeat Diniz and ultimately claimed victory in the entire bracket. In a touching display of brotherly love, he chose to split his million-dollar prize 50/50 with his injured brother Tye, who had been eliminated from the same bracket by Levi Jones Leary.
Notably, Diniz took the high road in his response to the incident. Rather than crying foul, he posted on social media: “It was on the heat of the moment all the respect for @ruotolobrothersjiujitsu. They are great guys 🙏”
Entire event is available to watch on B-team’s YT chanel.
