Craig Jones
Craig Jones is an Australian grappler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the guidance of Lachlan Giles. He extensively collaborated with coach John Danaher, playing a pivotal role in the renowned Danaher Death Squad (DDS) competition team during the late 2010s and early 2020s. In 2021, Craig took the initiative to establish the B-Team, a collective endeavor he embarked on with several former DDS team members.
Jones earned his reputation in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world as an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World No Gi Champion back in 2015, competing in the purple belt division. Additionally, he boasts two ADCC Trials championship titles. However, it was his remarkable performance at the 2017 ADCC finals that truly made him a standout figure. During that event, he astounded spectators by submitting the tournament's top-seeded competitor in the 88-kilogram category, Leandro Lo. That victory solidified Jones's position as one of the preeminent grapplers of his generation. Subsequently, he continued to add to his impressive list of accomplishments, securing multiple championship titles in various weight divisions at prestigious events, including Polaris Invitational.
In an exciting turn of events, Jones squared off against UFC veteran Donald Cerrone in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu superfight held during the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Featherweight World Championships on December 19, 2021. In a display of his prowess, Jones secured a victory by submitting Cerrone with a rear-naked choke within regulation time.
In 2022, Jones made his return to the ADCC competition, competing in the -99 kg division. He advanced to the finals, defeating the 3-time World Champion Nicholas Meregali in a thrilling semi-final match. However, Jones faced a setback in the finals, losing by a margin of points (4-0) to Kaynan Duarte. Despite that, his performance was commendable. He was initially scheduled for a highly anticipated rematch against Meregali at Who's Number One on February 25, 2023. Regrettably, Jones had to withdraw from the match, leading to its postponement.
Jones's journey continued as he took on Felipe Pena in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 on June 29, 2023. In an intense competition, he emerged victorious in overtime with a remarkable display of the fastest escape. His next challenge is set for September 21, 2023, where he is slated to compete against Luke Rockhold at Israel Fight Night, promising yet another thrilling bout for fans and enthusiasts alike.
He currently trains in Austin, Texas and serves as the head of B Team Jiu-Jitsu.
Main Achievements:
- Polaris 205 lbs Champion 2018;
- Polaris 185 lbs Champion 2018 / 2019;
- ADCC World Championship 2019 / 2022 – 2nd Place;
- EBI 11 Invitational 2017 – 3rd Place;
- Kasai 2 185lbs Grand Prix 2018 – 3rd Place;
- Kasai 5 205lbs Grand Prix 2019 – 3rd Place.
- IBJJF World Championship No Gi 2015 purple – 1st Place;
- AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship 2014 purple – 1st Place;
- ADCC Asian & Oceania Trials 2014 / 2016 – 1st Place;
- NAGA World Championship 2014 purple – 1st Place;
- UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro 2016 brown – 3rd Place.
@craigjonesbjj
