History of Craig Jones (grappler) in Timeline

Craig Jones is a highly accomplished Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. He is known for his success in no-gi competition, including an IBJJF World No-Gi title (white belt) and two silver medals at the prestigious ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship. He's also a three-time Polaris Pro Grappling champion. Jones is based in Austin, Texas, where he leads B Team Jiu-Jitsu as head coach. Further cementing his influence on the sport, Jones founded the Craig Jones Invitational in 2024.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Success & Recognition

July 1991: Craig Jones's birth

On July 17, 1991, Craig Jones was born in Adelaide, South Australia.

2006: Started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu

In 2006, Craig Jones began training Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) at his cousin's academy in Adelaide, South Australia.

2014: Won gold at the NAGA World Championship and AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship

In 2014, Craig Jones, competing at purple belt, won gold at the NAGA World Championship and gold at the AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship in Melbourne.

2015: Qualified for the 2015 ADCC World Championships and won the IBJJF World No-Gi Championships

In 2015, Craig Jones qualified for the 2015 ADCC World Championships after winning the ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials in the -88 kilograms division. He also won the IBJJF World No-Gi Championships in the purple belt division.

2016: Won bronze at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and was promoted to black belt

In 2016, Craig Jones won bronze at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the brown belt division. He was also promoted to black belt by Lachlan Giles while training at Absolute MMA Academy.

2017: Qualified again for the ADCC World Championship

In 2017, Jones qualified again for the ADCC World Championship, during the Championship Jones submitted 5x Black Belt World Champion Leandro Lo, Unity BJJ coach Murilo Santana and Chael Sonnen before losing the semi-final to Keenan Cornelius and the 3rd place to Alexandre Ribeiro.

2019: Won silver at the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship

In 2019, Craig Jones won silver at the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship.

2020: Moved to Puerto Rico

In 2020, Craig Jones moved to Puerto Rico with Gordon Ryan and other members of the Danaher Death Squad.

July 2021: Created B Team Jiu-Jitsu

In July 2021, the team training under Danaher broke up. Craig Jones relocated to Austin, Texas, to create a new team, B Team Jiu-Jitsu, alongside Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rod, and Ethan Crelinsten.

December 2021: Submitted Donald Cerrone at Combat Jiu-Jitsu Featherweight World Championships

On December 19, 2021, Craig Jones faced UFC veteran Donald Cerrone in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu superfight at the Combat Jiu-Jitsu Featherweight World Championships and submitted him with a rear-naked choke.

2021: Founded B Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas

In 2021, Craig Jones relocated to Austin, Texas, to found B Team Jiu-Jitsu.

2022: Won silver at ADCC

In 2022, Craig Jones returned to ADCC and won silver after moving to the -99 kg division, defeating Nicholas Meregali in the semi-final before losing to Kaynan Duarte.

February 2023: Withdrawal from Who's Number One match

In February 2023, Craig Jones was booked to compete in a rematch against Nicholas Meregali at Who's Number One, but had to withdraw and the match was postponed.

June 2023: Won at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4

On June 29, 2023, Craig Jones competed against Felipe Pena in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 and won in overtime.

September 2023: Won Quintet 4 with The B-Team Bulls

On September 10, 2023, Craig Jones competed at Quintet 4 as part of The B-Team Bulls. He registered two draws and two wins to help his team win the tournament.

September 2023: Match against Luke Rockhold cancelled

On September 21, 2023, Craig Jones was scheduled to compete against Luke Rockhold at Israel Fight Night, but the match was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.

November 2023: Won against Gerald Meerschaert at Polaris 26

On November 4, 2023, Craig Jones competed against Gerald Meerschaert in the main event of Polaris 26 and won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

2023: Won 'Personality of the Year' and 'Submission of the Year'

In 2023, Craig Jones won 'Personality of the Year' and 'Submission of the Year' for a Toehold he submitted Richie Martinez with at Quintet 4 at the JitsMagazine BJJ Awards.

February 23, 2024: Submitted Philip Rowe at Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 2

On February 23, 2024, Craig Jones competed against Philip Rowe in the main event of Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 2. He submitted Rowe with a flying triangle choke and won the match.

March 3, 2024: Submitted Rafael Lovato Jr. at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6

On March 3, 2024, Craig Jones competed against Rafael Lovato Jr. in the main event of UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 and won the match by submission.

April 20, 2024: Submitted Rinat Fakhretdinov at Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 4

On April 20, 2024, Craig Jones competed against Rinat Fakhretdinov at Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 4. He won the match by submission with a triangle choke.

2024: Superfight win against Gabi Garcia

In 2024, Craig Jones competed against Gabi Garcia in an intergender superfight at The Craig Jones Invitational and won the match by submission with a rear-naked choke.

2024: Founded the Craig Jones Invitational

In 2024, Craig Jones founded the Craig Jones Invitational.

2024: Secured funding for The Craig Jones Invitational

In 2024, Craig Jones secured $3,000,000 in funding to host his own tournament, The Craig Jones Invitational, featuring two divisions with significant prize money.