Craig Jones Invitational 2: Team Selection Heats Up for Summer’s Premier Grappling Event

The submission grappling world is about to get a whole lot more interesting this summer. After the blockbuster success of the inaugural event, the Craig Jones Invitational is back for its second iteration – and this time, it’s promising to be even bigger and better.

If you missed the first one, you missed something special. But don’t worry, CJI 2 is giving us all another chance to witness what might be the most exciting team-based grappling format we’ve seen in years.

Eight Teams, One Champion: The CJI 2 Format Explained

Craig Jones and his team are currently on the hunt to fill eight team slots for the upcoming invitational. The competition structure is what made the first event so compelling – it’s not just about individual brilliance, but team strategy and cohesion.

I’ve been following this development closely, and let me tell you – the team format brings a whole new dynamic to high-level grappling that you just don’t get in individual competitions. It’s like watching a grappling version of the Ryder Cup, with all the team spirit and strategic matchmaking that entails.

What Made CJI 1 Special (And Why CJI 2 Will Be Even Better)

The first Craig Jones Invitational wasn’t just another jiu-jitsu tournament – it was a spectacle. The combination of top-tier talent, team-based competition, and Craig’s signature promotional style created something fresh in the grappling world.

What stood out was how the format elevated both the competitors and the viewer experience. When fighters represent a team rather than just themselves, the intensity ratchets up several notches. Plus, the strategic element of team selection and match ordering added a chess-like dimension to the physical battles.

Key Elements That Made CJI 1 a Hit:

• High-caliber grapplers who brought their A-game
• Team dynamics creating unexpected alliances and rivalries
• Innovative rules designed to encourage submission hunting
• Craig’s hands-on approach to event production and promotion
• Production quality that elevated the viewing experience

Team Selection Process: How It Works

With eight team slots to fill, the selection process is already generating buzz. The format appears to allow for both invited teams and potentially applying teams, though details are still emerging on exactly how the final lineup will be determined.

What we do know is that Craig has a keen eye for talent and an even better sense for entertainment value. The teams that make the cut will likely represent a mix of established grappling gyms, fight teams, and perhaps some wildcards thrown in to keep things interesting.

The MMA Crossover Appeal

For MMA fans, the Craig Jones Invitational offers something special. The submission-only format and team-based competition creates high-stakes matchups that resemble the finishing sequences we all love in MMA fights, but with an even higher technical level of ground fighting.

Many of the competitors have either fought in MMA or trained extensively with MMA fighters. The event bridges the gap between pure grappling and MMA in a way that’s accessible and entertaining for fans of both sports.

You’ll recognize plenty of faces from UFC training camps and MMA gyms around the world. It’s a chance to see the grapplers who help shape the ground game of your favorite fighters show their own skills in a competitive format.

How to Follow Team Announcements

If you’re as excited about this as I am, you’ll want to keep tabs on the team selection process. Craig has been using his social media channels as the primary vehicle for announcements, with his Instagram account being particularly active with updates.

I recommend following both Craig’s personal accounts and the official Craig Jones Invitational channels for the most up-to-date information. Team announcements will likely be rolled out over the coming weeks to build anticipation for the event.

Will We See Any Surprise Teams?

The grappling world is rife with speculation about who might show up for CJI 2. Could we see a team of UFC fighters? Maybe a squad from the Danaher Death Squad lineage? Or perhaps even an international team bringing a different stylistic approach?

My bet is on at least one completely unexpected team that will have everyone talking. Craig has always had a flair for the dramatic, and I don’t expect this event to be any different.

Mark Your Calendars for Late Summer

While the exact date hasn’t been announced yet, we know CJI 2 is scheduled for late summer. For serious grappling fans and MMA enthusiasts looking to see some of the best submission artists in the world, this is becoming a can’t-miss event on the calendar.

The first iteration showed what’s possible when you combine elite talent with an innovative format. The second promises to build on that foundation with even more excitement.

Will you be watching CJI 2? Which teams are you hoping to see compete? The grappling community is already buzzing with predictions and wishlists. One thing’s for certain – with Craig Jones at the helm, we’re in for a submission-hunting spectacle that will have MMA fans and grapplers alike on the edge of their seats.

Stay tuned for more updates as the teams are announced and the event draws closer!