History of Craig Jones (grappler) in Timeline

Craig Jones is a prominent Australian grappler and BJJ black belt known for his accomplishments in submission wrestling. He is a two-time ADCC silver medalist and three-time Polaris Pro Grappling champion. Formerly the head of B Team Jiu-Jitsu until his departure in 2025, Jones is based out of Austin, Texas. In 2024, he founded the Craig Jones Invitational.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Success & Recognition

July 1991: Craig Jones' Birth

Craig Benjamin Jones was born in July 1991, marking the beginning of his life.

2006: Start of BJJ Training

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

2014: NAGA World Championship and AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship Wins

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

2015: ADCC World Championship Qualification and IBJJF Win

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

2016: Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and Black Belt Promotion

In 2016, Craig Jones won bronze at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the brown belt division and was promoted to black belt by Lachlan Giles.

2017: First match against Chael Sonnen

In 2017 Craig Jones first faced Chael Sonnen as a part of that year's ADCC Absolute Division bracket, and Jones submitted Sonnen via heel hook in just under two minutes.

2017: ADCC World Championship Performance

In 2017, Craig Jones qualified for the ADCC World Championship, submitting notable opponents but ultimately losing in the semi-final and 3rd place match.

2019: ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship Silver

In 2019, Craig Jones won silver at the ADCC Submission Fighting World Championship, marking another significant achievement in his career.

2020: Move to Puerto Rico

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

July 2021: Formation of B Team Jiu-Jitsu

In July 2021, after the breakup of the team training under Danaher, Craig Jones relocated to Austin, Texas, to establish a new team, B Team Jiu-Jitsu, with Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rod, and Ethan Crelinsten.

December 2021: Combat Jiu-Jitsu Victory Over Donald Cerrone

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: Relocation to Austin, Texas and Founding of B Team Jiu-Jitsu

In 2021, Craig Jones relocated to Austin, Texas to found B Team Jiu-Jitsu, marking a significant step in his career.

2022: ADCC Silver Medal

In 2022, Craig Jones won silver at ADCC after defeating Nicholas Meregali in the semi-final but losing to Kaynan Duarte.

February 2023: Withdrawal from Meregali Rematch

In February 2023, Craig Jones had to withdraw from his scheduled rematch against Nicholas Meregali at Who's Number One due to undisclosed reasons.

June 2023: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 Victory

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

September 2023: Cancellation of Match Against Luke Rockhold

In September 2023, Craig Jones's scheduled match against Luke Rockhold at Israel Fight Night was cancelled for undisclosed reasons.

September 2023: Quintet 4 Tournament Win

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

November 2023: Polaris 26 Victory Over Gerald Meerschaert

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

2023: JitsMagazine BJJ Awards

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: Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 2 Victory

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

March 3, 2024: UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 Victory

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

April 20, 2024: Karate Combat's Pit Submission Series 4 Victory

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

2024: Funding Secured for Craig Jones Invitational

In 2024, Craig Jones announced that he had secured $3,000,000 in funding to host his own tournament, featuring two divisions and a $1,000,000 grand prize for each winner.

2024: Victory against Gabi Garcia at The Craig Jones Invitational

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

August 2025: Craig Jones at CJI 2

Following the success of the first edition, in August 2025, Craig Jones announced that CJI 2 would take place. At CJI 2 he defeated Chael Sonnen.

August 25, 2025: Gable Steveson Withdraws from CJI 2

On August 25, 2025, Gable Steveson withdrew from the superfight against Craig Jones at the Craig Jones Invitational 2 due to turf toe. Steveson later claimed he withdrew after Jones asked him to throw the fight, which Jones denied.

August 31, 2025: Planned Retirement Match

Craig Jones was set to compete against Gable Steveson on August 31, 2025, in a superfight at the Craig Jones Invitational 2. Jones announced this would be his final match and that he was retiring from the sport.