The B-Team triumphed at the Craig Jones Invitational 2, securing a remarkable $1 million prize on October 7, 2023, in Las Vegas. The event featured a thrilling Quintet-style challenge where B-Team’s Victor Hugo played a pivotal role, contributing significantly with two key submissions that propelled his team to victory.
Hugo, a five-time IBJJF world champion, showcased his grappling prowess by defeating Fabricio Andrey with an arm-triangle choke during the semifinal. This impressive performance not only earned B-Team a place in the finals but also netted Hugo an additional $100,000 submission bonus from event organizer Craig Jones, further intensifying the competition.
Team Australasia’s Belal Etiabari faced considerable adversity after suffering a broken foot in the quarterfinals. Undeterred, he competed valiantly to aid his team’s chances at the prize. Nevertheless, Hugo’s second arm-triangle choke against Etiabari secured B-Team’s advancement.
New Wave, another strong contender, earned their spot in the finals by eliminating Team Americas the night before. The semifinal match against Atos was marked by intense competition, with Luke Griffith emerging victorious after a rear-naked choke against Diego Pato. The decisive moment came when Giancarlo Bodoni submitted Ronaldo Junior with an armbar.
As the final commenced, B-Team opted for Chris Wojcik, while New Wave countered with the formidable Mica Galvao. The match was fiercely contested, with Wojcik managing to fend off a last-second ankle lock. This set the stage for a gripping showdown between Hugo and New Wave’s seasoned veteran, Vagner Rocha. Despite Rocha’s resilience in the face of a rear-naked choke attempt, the match ended in a draw, pushing the challenge to a tiebreaker format.
The final contest featured Ethan Crelinsten facing Dorian Olivarez, both grapplers known for their previous encounters. Olivarez applied relentless pressure but failed to secure a submission, resulting in another draw. With the stakes high, New Wave sent in two-time ADCC world champion Giancarlo Bodoni, who faced Jozef Chen in a match that also concluded without a clear victor.
The ultimate showdown featured Nicky Rod from B-Team and Luke Griffith from New Wave. After a tense three minutes of grappling, Rodriguez managed to take Griffith down, controlling the match from side control. Despite Griffith’s escape attempts, the contest concluded without a submission, leading the judges to score the duel a 47-47 draw.
Following a brief deliberation, the judges awarded B-Team the overall victory, determined by Rodriguez’s performance in the final match. This win not only earned B-Team the prestigious title but also the substantial $1 million prize.
In a historic moment for women’s grappling, Helena Crevar emerged victorious in the inaugural women’s tournament at CJI, also taking home $100,000. Crevar showcased her skills by defeating Sarah Galvao, daughter of renowned grappler Andre Galvao, with a straight ankle lock in the third round of the final.
The Craig Jones Invitational 2 highlighted the competitive spirit and skill of grapplers from around the world. With thrilling matches and significant financial rewards, the event set a high bar for future tournaments.