Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu champion Craig Jones has publicly expressed regret over his controversial appearance on “The Alex Jones Show,” distancing himself from the conspiracy theories promoted by the infamous host.
Jones, a highly respected figure in the BJJ community and co-founder of the B-Team Jiu-Jitsu academy, addressed the situation in a candid statement that has resonated with many in the grappling world.
“I understand that and I do regret that,” Jones admitted when confronted about his association with Alex Jones. “I tried to jump on his show and make a little bit of a mockery of it but in retrospect and dealing with growing fame myself, it was a mistake.”
The Australian grappler went further in clarifying his personal views, making a clear distinction between his public persona and private beliefs. “To be honest I hate conspiracy theories and will argue to the bitter end about how stupid they are in private,” he stated emphatically.
Jones also revealed political leanings that might surprise fans who only know him through his often provocative social media presence, describing himself as “a pro-COVID vaccine, Kamala guy at heart.”
This statement comes at a time when many athletes are becoming more conscious about their public associations and the platforms they choose to appear on. Jones has previously spoken about maintaining certain ethical boundaries in his professional relationships.
“If it’s a bad dude, I mean even if I have friends that are bad dudes and treat women in a way that I feel is wrong… I do not want to associate with dudes like that,” Jones has stated. “Especially in our sport, we have trouble getting women in the sport, and then due to the actions of dudes in the sport, we have trouble keeping them.”
Well-known BJJ instructor Stephan Kesting publicly thanked Jones for “disassociating yourself from that [individual],” referring to Alex Jones, who has been legally penalized for spreading harmful misinformation,.
The BJJ community’s reaction to Craig Jones’s clarification has been largely positive, with many appreciating his willingness to acknowledge a misstep while staying true to his characteristically straightforward communication style.
The sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu continues to grow in mainstream popularity, and with it the platform and responsibility of its high-profile athletes like Craig Jones only increases, making their public associations increasingly significant.
