Craig Jones03 June 2024

Fighting A Woman For $1M, Ukraine War & Gordon Ryan - Craig Jones - #792

0Frameworks

10Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster02:30

Why BJJ Athletes Are Broke (It's Not the Audience)

Contrary to the belief that BJJ is poor because it's unwatchable, Jones argues the sport has a growing audience and sells out large arenas. The issue isn't lack of revenue, but that the money from ticket sales, streaming rights, and sponsorships doesn't funnel back to the athletes. He blames organizational incompetence and excessive spending on production rather than athlete compensation.

BJJ events sell 10,000-15,000 seats and have streaming rights, proving audience interest.
The core problem is that revenue doesn't reach the athletes.
Existing organizers spend money on over-the-top production and expensive venues instead of prize money.
Jones believes the sport is capped in popularity because it's primarily for participants, not casual viewers.

“The sport is growing so there is some money in it... The money is there. The audience is there... but in competition doesn't really funnel…”
Craig Jones · 02:45

#bjj#sports-economics#athlete-compensation

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take07:30

Autism and Steroids: The Unspoken Factors in BJJ Success

Craig Jones makes a controversial claim that a high level of 'autism'—referring to a singular, obsessive focus—is the biggest predictor of success in BJJ, often inversely correlated with social skills. He further states that steroids are a 'great equalizer,' giving socially awkward athletes confidence and physical prowess, and are widely used in the sport due to a lack of testing.

Believes a 'singular focus' (autism) is the biggest factor for BJJ success.
Suggests social skills diminish physical performance in the sport.
States steroids are a 'great equalizer' that give less socially adept athletes confidence.
Confirms the sport lacks widespread drug testing, enabling steroid use.

“The biggest determining factor for Success would probably be some level of autism that's very important for a singular focus in this sport.”
Craig Jones · 07:45

“Steroids... gives these people with poor social skills a lot of confidence and those are really the people that run the sport.”
Craig Jones · 08:15

#bjj#performance#steroids#neurodiversity

Explainer· 2

Explainer00:30

Why Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Attracts a Unique Subculture

Craig Jones explains that BJJ draws people who were often bullied, giving them a sense of empowerment. As they rise in rank, the sport paradoxically feeds their ego despite being designed to humble practitioners. The inherent strangeness of rolling for up to 45 minutes with another person, often in close physical contact, creates self-consciousness that Jones enjoys provoking and embracing.

BJJ appeals to those seeking empowerment after being bullied.
The sport claims to kill ego but often inflates it due to the power and prestige of high ranks.
The physical intimacy of training (sweat, close contact) makes practitioners self-conscious, which Jones exploits for humor.
He believes the weirdness of the sport is part of its appeal and should be embraced, not hidden.

“It's like an empowerment thing but then when you climb the ranks and get to the top it's meant to kill your ego but it…”
Craig Jones · 00:45

“We have to get used to having someone's balls in our face... we're sweating each other's mouth. It is what it is. We should laugh…”
Craig Jones · 01:15

#bjj#martial-arts-culture#ego#subculture

Explainer31:30

Gordon Ryan: A Brilliant but Insecure Figurehead

Craig Jones describes Gordon Ryan as the undisputed best grappler in the world, but also a controversial figure. He criticizes Ryan for being money-obsessed, insecure, and for sharing extreme conservative political content online. Jones sees Ryan's overreactions to jokes as a source of entertainment and a key reason his own tournament is the 'ultimate bait.'

Acknowledges Ryan as the best grappler in the world.
Criticizes him for being money-obsessed and insecure.
Describes Ryan's online persona as a 'Facebook dad Republican page.'
Believes Ryan's overreactions to trolling are entertaining and fuel his own event's narrative.

“He's unquestionably best grappler in the world... but he's controversial figure... I would say money obsessed and uh I would say insecure.”
Craig Jones · 31:45

#gordon-ryan#bjj#controversy#personality

Story· 5

Story01:30

The $1 Million Craig Jones Invitational: A Direct Challenge to ADCC

Frustrated by the lack of financial reward in BJJ, Craig Jones created the Craig Jones Invitational, offering a $1 million prize—100 times more than the ADCC's prize. He scheduled it the same weekend as ADCC to force athletes to choose between prestige and life-changing money. This move was designed to prove that events can and should compensate athletes fairly, directly challenging the established tournament's business model.

Created the Craig Jones Invitational with a $1 million prize for two weight classes.
Scheduled it the same weekend as the prestigious ADCC tournament.
The goal was to prove athletes can be fairly compensated and to disrupt the status quo.
The event is streamed free on YouTube to maximize viewership and transparency.

“I've decided to throw a tournament where we're going to give away a million dollars... to sort of make the athletes choose because it's a…”
Craig Jones · 01:50

#bjj#sports-business#tournament#adcc

Story08:30

The Infamous Japanese Vending Machine for Used Underwear

While traveling in Japan, Craig Jones investigated a bizarre urban legend about vending machines selling used underwear. He found one in the basement of a multi-story sex shop, purchased a pair that allegedly contained period blood, and was overwhelmed by the smell. He was forced to carry the sealed package around Tokyo for 15 minutes to find a trash can, creating a comical and pungent ordeal.

He sought out a vending machine rumored to sell used underwear in Japan.
Found it in the basement of a large sex store and bought a pair.
The package had a terrible smell, even when sealed, described as 'stronger than anticipated.'
He had to walk around Tokyo for 15 minutes to find a place to dispose of it.

“I bought it thinking I don't know what I was thinking but I didn't think it would smell like it smelled... it like opened like…”
Craig Jones · 09:45

#travel#japan#urban-legend#comedy

Story22:30

Craig Jones' Charity Fight Against Gabby Garcia

Craig Jones is set to fight Gabby Garcia, the most accomplished female grappler, in a highly publicized match for charity. The bout, part of the Craig Jones Invitational, is framed as a 'battle of the sexes' and a test of gender equality. The rules are three five-minute rounds with traditional BJJ scoring, and the event is designed to appeal to a broader MMA audience.

The fight is against Gabby Garcia, the most accomplished female grappler.
It's a charity match framed as a 'battle of the sexes'.
The rules are three five-minute rounds with traditional BJJ scoring.
The event uses a unique 'alley' structure inspired by Karate Combat to enhance safety and viewing.

“I've decided to participate in the event and rebuild the battle of the sexes and decide to take on a 6'4 250lb 11 time world…”
Craig Jones · 22:45

#bjj#gabby-garcia#charity-fight#cji

Story69:00

Craig Jones on the Frontlines of Ukraine

Craig Jones traveled to Ukraine to run a charity seminar for soldiers. He visited the front lines, only 7km from active Russian forces, and described the surreal experience of life continuing amidst war. He also attempted to visit Chernobyl, a highly dangerous and restricted zone, where he witnessed the aftermath of fighting and was eventually granted access through a high-level connection.

Ran a charity seminar in Ukraine, raising money for soldiers.
Visited the front lines, describing the resilience of Ukrainians continuing daily life.
Attempted to visit Chernobyl, facing military resistance before gaining access.
Witnessed the physical damage from fighting and the risks of radioactive contamination.

“I'll come to the front line with you... we got to go I think 7 km from the Russian offensive... it's pretty close.”
Craig Jones · 70:30

“We got to see obviously the reactor, the abandoned town, the ferris wheel... there was actually fighting going on there, there's bullet holes in the…”
Craig Jones · 79:00

#ukraine#war#charity#chernobyl

Story95:00

Near-Death Experience at a Kazakh Cockfighting Event

While filming a documentary in Kazakhstan, Craig Jones attended a dangerous traditional horse fighting event called 'kokpar.' A drunk stuntman accidentally took him into the center of the chaotic melee, where up to a thousand riders competed with a headless goat carcass. Jones was nearly trampled, describing it as a high-risk scenario that could have ended his life after surviving the Ukraine frontlines.

Filmed at a traditional Kazakh horse fighting event called 'kokpar.'
A drunk stuntman accidentally took him into the center of the dangerous event.
Up to a thousand riders competed with a headless goat carcass, creating a chaotic melee.
He was nearly trampled, calling it a 'high-risk scenario' that could have been fatal.

“His job was we were filming some scene where he was meant to take me so it looked like I was riding on Horseback into…”
Craig Jones · 97:00

#kazakhstan#adventure#kokpar#documentary

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway13:30

How the Craig Jones Invitational Supports Charity

The Craig Jones Invitational is run as a nonprofit, with proceeds funding charitable causes. A portion of ticket sales is donated to causes chosen by the athletes, such as supporting people in Gaza. The foundation also funds personal documentaries and on-the-ground aid, like helping children eat at Jollibee in the Philippines.

The event is a nonprofit, with money going to charity.
Athletes can choose where a portion of ticket sales are donated (e.g., Gaza).
Funds also support personal documentaries and direct aid (e.g., feeding kids in the Philippines).
The foundation aims to use the event's success to do good globally.

#charity#cji#nonprofit#gaza