Mackenzie Dern ditches ADCC 2024 to join The Craig Jones Invitational in “historic moment” for Brazilian jiu-jitsu
The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), founded by his namesake, has taken the Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) world by storm. Founded to help revolutionize athlete pay in the sport, the CJI has received overwhelming support since its official inception in May.
The tournament will compete against the most prestigious grappling tournament in the world, the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Championships, which takes place on 17-18 August 2024, while the CJI occurs on 16-17 August.
ADCC 2015 champion and UFC strawweight contender Mackenzie Dern will be taking on ADCC 2022 champion Ffion Davies in a super-fight at The CJI. Having previously announced she would be taking part in ADCC 2024, Dern's decision to join The CJI instead is a massive statement in the BJJ world.
Jones, a former 2x ADCC silver medalist, announced earlier this year that he would not be competing at ADCC 2024 due to the lack of financial benefit. But his newly-created submission grappling competition will see the winners of each division receive $1 million in prize money, a huge difference from the $10,000 first-place prize money for winning ADCC.
The Australian recently took to Instagram to announce Davies vs. Dern and wrote this:
"Historic moment for jiu-jitsu"
See Craig Jones' post below:
In February, Dern faced Amanda Lemos at UFC 298, and prior to her fight she discussed her desire to compete at ADCC 2024 during her media day appearance. She said this:
"I would like to make an appearance at the ADCC at the end of the year. Come back and go to the ADCC and that's a competition that I won. I'm a former champion, so it has a very special place in my heart."
Watch Mackenzie Dern's interview below (8:55):
Former UFC champion enters The Craig Jones Invitational
The Craig Jones Invitational will see athletes compete across two divisions, under and over 80 kilograms, for the chance to win $1 million.
The CJI has seen numerous athletes join in who previously announced their participation at ADCC 2024, including grappling phenoms Tye and Kade Ruotolo. But Jones' tournament will also see former UFC middleweight champion Luke Rockhold participate in the over 80 kg division.
Rockhold has some of the most highly rated BJJ in MMA and could certainly surprise his fellow competitors and fans.
Jones took to Instagram and wrote this:
"Luke Rockhold confirmed +80kg. Confirmed legend."
See Craig Jones' post below: