Lookout, Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) 2 just gained a blockbuster “super” fight that no one saw coming.
Craig Jones — the self-proclaimed “King of Jiu-Jitsu” — revealed he’ll take on Olympic gold medalist and two-time (not three!) NCAA Division I Heavyweight champion, Gable Steveson, this August at CJI 2 in a marquee “super” fight.
At last year’s inaugural CJI event, Jones faced nine-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu gold medalist, Gabi Garcia, submitting her in the second round via rear-naked choke (watch highlights).
This year’s clash promises a tougher challenge — a showdown of college freestyle wrestling versus jiu-jitsu.
Steveson enters fresh off a stunning upset loss to Oklahoma State’s Wyatt Hendrickson in the NCAA finals, one of the biggest shockers in collegiate wrestling history (watch highlights).
He returned to University of Minnesota thanks to a COVID-related year of eligibility after a fizzled WWE stint and a quick exit from NFL’s Buffalo Bills. The Olympic champ hinted at a transition to mixed martial arts (MMA) like his accomplished contemporaries — even seeking a meeting with UFC CEO, Dana White — but he’ll first step into competitive jiu-jitsu.
And he’ll face one of the planet’s elite grapplers, renowned for his crippling leg locks … and colorful lifestyle.
We wanna see this guy in the ufc not a stupid grappling match he’s going to easily win
I hope Craig doesn’t rip his knee apart
His aura is gone
He’s not a fighter
Craig is gonna push his shit in.
The aura is gone
The aura is gone
After seeing Bo get his ass beat I’m thinking high level American wrestling isn’t gonna be enough. We don’t know how this guy will react to strikes. Not every former wrestler is gonna be like DC when transitioning to mma. He was just one of the rare few