Craig Jones Profile: The Australian Grappling Maverick Who Redefined No-Gi Competition

Craig Jones Profile: The Australian Grappling Maverick Who Redefined No-Gi Competition

In the dynamic world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and no-gi grappling, Craig Jones emerges as one of the most innovative and accomplished figures of the modern era. Born on July 17, 1991, in Adelaide, South Australia, Jones transitioned from a sports-filled youth to becoming a two-time ADCC silver medalist, three-time Polaris champion, and the founder of groundbreaking initiatives like the B-Team and the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). A 3rd-degree black belt under Lachlan Giles, with deep ties to the Danaher Death Squad (DDS), Jones's career has bridged elite competition with entrepreneurial ventures that challenge the status quo of professional grappling. Known for his vicious leg attacks, triangles, and unorthodox submissions, he has submitted legends like Leandro Lo, Chael Sonnen, and even Gabi Garcia in an intergender match. Now 34 years old as of 2026, following his retirement announcement after CJI 2 in 2025, Jones remains a coach to UFC stars and a polarizing personality in the sport. This profile explores his journey from Adelaide's gyms to global stardom and beyond.

Early Life: From Adelaide's Fields to Jiu-Jitsu Foundations

Craig Benjamin Jones grew up in Adelaide, South Australia, where he was an active child immersed in various sports, including Australian rules football, basketball, taekwondo, and judo. His early fascination with combat sports stemmed from a dream to compete in the UFC, which led him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at age 15 in 2006. Jones began training at ISOHEALTH, the academy run by his cousin Matt Jones, marking the start of a rapid ascent in the art.

Progressing quickly, Jones reached purple belt and relocated to Melbourne to train under Lachlan Giles at Absolute MMA Academy. This move honed his skills, leading to his black belt promotion in 2016 by Giles, whose lineage traces back through John Will, the Machado brothers, and ultimately to the Gracie family. Jones also holds a Bachelor's degree in Behavioural Science (Psychology), adding a cerebral edge to his grappling approach. His early training emphasized aggressive, lower-body attacks—a style that would define his career.

Rise in BJJ: Conquering Colored Belts and Early Black Belt Success

Jones's competitive prowess shone during his colored belt years, where he amassed titles that foreshadowed his elite status. As a purple belt in 2014, he won gold at the NAGA World Championship and the AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship, followed by the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship in 2015. He also triumphed in the ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials in 2014 and 2016, securing his path to the world's biggest no-gi stage. At brown belt, he earned bronze at the UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro in 2016.

Upon receiving his black belt, Jones exploded onto the scene. In 2017, at his first ADCC World Championship, he submitted high-profile opponents like Leandro Lo, Murilo Santana, and Chael Sonnen via heel hook, reaching the semi-finals before losses to Keenan Cornelius and Alexandre Ribeiro. His style—calm yet ferocious, with a focus on leg entanglements—earned him recognition as a rising star. Early black belt highlights include bronze at EBI 11 in 2017 and third places at Kasai 2 (185 lbs) and Kasai 5 (205 lbs) Grand Prix in 2018 and 2019.

Dominating No-Gi: ADCC Medals, Polaris Titles, and Iconic Submissions

Jones's no-gi dominance peaked in major tournaments. He secured silver at ADCC 2019 in the -88 kg division and again in 2022 at -99 kg, defeating Nicholas Meregali in the 2022 semi-final before falling to Kaynan Duarte. As a three-time Polaris Pro Grappling champion, he claimed middleweight titles at Polaris 6 (2018) and Polaris 17 (2021), plus light heavyweight at Polaris 8 (2018). In 2019, he won the Submission Underground Absolute Championship.

Notable matches include submitting UFC veteran Donald Cerrone via rear-naked choke in 2021, Felipe Pena in overtime at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 4 in 2023, and Gerald Meerschaert at Polaris 26. In 2023, at Quintet 4, his toehold on Richie Martinez earned 'Submission of the Year' at the JitsMagazine BJJ Awards. 2024 saw victories over Philip Rowe (flying triangle), Rafael Lovato Jr., Rinat Fakhretdinov (triangle), and Gabi Garcia (rear-naked choke) at CJI. In 2025, he twice submitted Chael Sonnen via buggy choke at CJI 2. These feats solidified his reputation as a submission specialist with an 57-20-3 record.

The DDS Era and Founding B-Team: Building Elite Squads

Jones joined the Danaher Death Squad under John Danaher in New York, training alongside Gordon Ryan and relocating to Puerto Rico during the COVID-19 pandemic. The DDS honed his technical mastery, but its dissolution in July 2021 led Jones, Nicky Ryan, Nicky Rod, and Ethan Crelinsten to found B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas. As head coach until his 2025 departure, Jones emphasized innovative training that produced top competitors. He also coached UFC Featherweight Champion Alexander Volkanovski and Team Volkanovski on The Return of The Ultimate Fighter.

Launching the Craig Jones Invitational: Revolutionizing Grappling

In 2024, Jones founded the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), securing $3 million in funding for a tournament with under and over 80 kg divisions, offering $10,001 show money and $1 million grand prizes—directly competing with ADCC. Held August 16–17, 2024, it featured high-stakes matches, including his win over Gabi Garcia. CJI 2 in August 2025 marked his retirement, with rematches like the Sonnen submissions. This venture highlighted Jones's entrepreneurial spirit, pushing for better athlete compensation and innovation.

Later Years: Coaching, Media, and Enduring Influence

Post-retirement, Jones continues coaching UFC fighters like Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena. His media presence includes appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience, Lex Fridman Podcast, and InfoWars, plus an OnlyFans account for content. As of 2026, he remains a sought-after instructor, blending psychology with technique.

Legacy: A Trailblazer in Technique and Business

Craig Jones's career represents the evolution of no-gi grappling in the 21st century. As the first Australian IBJJF champion and a pioneer in leg-lock systems, he has influenced a generation with his aggressive style and submissions. Through DDS, B-Team, and CJI, he built communities and challenged norms, advocating for professionalization. From an Adelaide kid to a global icon, Jones embodies innovation, resilience, and wit, inspiring grapplers to push boundaries in competition and beyond.