Latest news with #MikeyMusumeci
Yahoo
08-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'UFC hates me': Craig Jones explains his war against UFC — and why he's going to 'help them out' anyway
Craig Jones and the UFC may not see eye-to-eye on much right now, but the CJI headman is still willing to lend a hand — in his own unique way. With or without the UFC, Craig Jones wants to continue doing what's best for jiu-jitsu. In 2025, UFC has committed to grappling more than ever before with the recent launch of UFC BJJ, featuring notable names like Mikey Musumeci and Rerrison Gabriel. At the same time, Jones hosted his own event last year, the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), which caused quite a stir throughout the sport as it went head-to-head with the famous annual Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Tournament. Advertisement Despite being on good terms with the UFC in the past and even competing on UFC Fight Pass Invitational events, Jones is starting to feel a different energy as he goes in a different direction. "I will say, without a shadow of a doubt, that is basically the negotiation point for them," Jones said on Tuesday's in-studio edition of "The Ariel Helwani Show." "Are you an enemy or are you a friend? There's really no gray area in between. "It's hard for people to really understand the big picture of this, right? I wouldn't want to call any organization a monopoly, but there are a lot of problems associated when there's just one dominant [organization]. Let's say the UFC — there's no alternative [in MMA]. If you want to become famous in the sport of MMA, there's no alternative. And when there aren't alternatives, you don't have leverage to negotiate. So if it comes down to compensation, anyone, it doesn't even have to be UFC, if anyone came in and offered enough money early enough to secure the best athletes, and the other organizations died, how are you going to leverage your pay rise?" Jones has his next jiu-jitsu match set for the upcoming CJI 2 event on Aug. 31. He'll take on Olympic gold medalist wrestler Gable Steveson in Steveson's jiu-jitsu debut, however the path to that match could've been drastically different had Jones taken the offer he received from UFC BJJ. Advertisement Jones claimed the promotion also wanted to broadcast CJI, but that the deal UFC presented was "embarrassing" in comparison to what CJI has in place now. "[UFC] made an offer," Jones stated. "I thought it was not a fair offer for the time commitment and what I would have to give away in terms of the exclusivity type of deal there. I really did turn it down and I went with Flo Grappling instead. They basically offered me whatever. This isn't an exclusive deal. If you want to compete over there, compete over there — just make sure we can figure it out within our calendar schedule. "The money we made from the first [CJI], we just gave away to charity to building jiu-jitsu schools around the world. So, it's like, I don't see our event as competition to [UFC BJJ], but obviously they're going to be protective of their athletes. Like if their athletes were to come to CJI and lose, it damages their brand. They've gained nothing from it." Communication with UFC has been "off" for Jones since he declined the offer. And Jones hasn't been shy to voice his displeasure — just this past week, he posted a clip on social media of him using a rocket launcher to blow up a blow-up doll with UFC CEO Dana White's face on it. Advertisement Regardless, Jones has still been present in the corners of UFC champions like Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena. "I would be shocked, to be honest, if they were to ban me," Jones said. "UFC hates me, but they also hate Dagestani wrestlers. Jack Della is fighting Islam Makhachev, so they're in a catch-22. They're like, 'F***, we hate this guy, but we hate these wrestlers as well.' So I think they want me. I helped them get rid of Belal [Muhammad]. Hold on a bit longer, guys, we'll get rid of Islam Makhachev for you." Jones' coaching work was on full display in Della Maddalena's matchup for the UFC welterweight title against Muhammad earlier this year at UFC 315, resulting in Della Maddalena's decision win. "JDM" showcased improved takedown defense and get-up ability in the few instances he hit the mat. Advertisement The Muhammad bout was a solid appetizer for the stiff challenge Della Maddalena can expect against the aforementioned Makhachev later this year. Although the fight has yet to be confirmed, the pound-for-pound star and record-breaking former lightweight champion Makhachev is expected to debut at 170 pounds. With Jones in Della Maddalena's corner, it only adds another compelling wrinkle to the already incredible fight on paper, as Jones helped Volkanovski prepare specifically for Makhachev in the past. "I think it's a super difficult fight for Islam, this one," Jones said. "Obviously, he's faced 'Volk' twice — forget about the second one, but the first one [was] very competitive. Very competitive in the grappling. Now we're talking about, he's facing a guy who has some of the best scrambling ability, I think, period, in all of MMA — and some of the most unorthodox grappling. I think that's what Belal struggled with. Belal really just sticks to a blueprint. The blueprint obviously works very well. But in terms of creativity in what Belal does, it's pretty strict. "Jack, as you saw in that fight, some of his off-balance sets and grip breaks, and some of the things he does, it's really hard to prepare for that. "I think the size difference is going to be quite a lot bigger than people think," Jones continued. "We've seen how 'Volk' did on the ground and how much Islam struggled with him in the grappling exchanges. Having seen Jack and 'Volk' work together, seeing their skill sets, this is a perfect one. The UFC want guys that stand and bang, I'm trying to still help them out — even though we're potentially enemies. Very, very confident for this one."
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
UFC BJJ: Road To The Title Results - Who Fights For Inaugural Title?
UFC has relaunched their grappling promotion, and 'UFC BJJ' kicks off with an Ultimate Fighter-style reality show and tournament to determine two inaugural title bouts. 'UFC BJJ: Road to the Title' will host two eight-man tournaments at lightweight and welterweight, with the TUF-style reality show releasing episodes that air daily from June 16 - June 23, 2025. This will lead up to the 'UFC BJJ 1' event on June 25, which will then host the finals that will be for two of the three inaugural championship bouts on the card. Advertisement Full episodes can be watched and streamed for free here, and below are the official results and updates from the tournament. UFC BJJ: Team Musumeci vs. Team Gabriel Rosters The first episode of UFC BJJ: Road to the Title determined the team rosters. Both coaches made their picks, and Rerisson Gabriel ended up choosing far more accomplished grappling champions than Mikey Musumeci. Even with the UFC's own tournament seeding, Gabriel was able to pick both the top 2 seeds from both divisions. The biggest names and early tournament favorites in Andrew Tackett, Andy Varela, Keith Krikorian, Josh Cisneros and Gianni Grippo all went to Team Gabriel. Advertisement The BJJ prospect to watch on Mikey Musumeci's team is Jason Nolf, a decorated wrestling champion who recently transitioned to professional grappling. UFC BJJ: Team Gabriel roster Team Gabriel Lightweights #1 Keith Krikorian — Polaris champ #2 Josh Cisneros — 2024 ADCC Bronze #5 Gianni Grippo — 2-time IBJJF No Gi World Champion #6 Mauricio Rios Welterweights #1 Andrew Tackett — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner #2 Andy Varela — PGF Champion #4 Elijah Carlton #6 Austin Oranday Team Musumeci Lightweights #3 Danilo Moreira — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds Bronze #4 Carlos Henrique — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Pans Champion #7 Kyvann Gonzalez #8 Isaac Doederlein — 2022 IBJJF World Champion Welterweights #3 Davis Asare — 2024 ADCC Trials Silver #5 Jason Nolf — 2-time US National Wrestling Champion #7 Nathan Haddad #8 Aaron Wilson UFC BJJ: Road to the Title tournament brackets The brackets for both the lightweight and welterweight tournaments at UFC BJJ: Road to the Title are below. These grapplers will have to win twice during the reality show to earn a title shot, with the finals happening at UFC BJJ 1. UFC BJJ: Road to the Title brackets UFC BJJ: Road to the Title full results Full episodes of UFC BJJ: Road to the title can be watched here, but below are quick results and highlights from the tournament. Episode 1: One of the tournament favorites in Andrew Tackett dominated in the first round. The CJI 1 star got a takedown by the 'bowl' straight into mount, then immediately took the back for a a really quick finish over Aaron Wilson. Advertisement Welterweight: Andrew Tackett (Team Gabriel) def. Aaron Wilson (Team Musumeci) by submission (rear naked choke), R1 1:09 Episode 2: Keith Krikorian got the only deep submission attempt in the match, locking up a darce choke that had Doedrlein saved by the bell at the second round. Unfortunately for him, the round-by-round scoring had him losing a close decision after Doederlein was awarded the other two close rounds. There's a case for Krikorian deserving a 10-8 for that fully locked in darce up until the final bell, but judges didn't do that and Doederlein has upset the Polaris champ and #1 seed. Lightweight: Isaac Doederlein (Team Musumeci) def. Keith Krikorian (Team Gabriel) by decision Episode 3: Davis Asare, a purple belt under New Wave / Kingsway, quickly landed a brutal foot lock that had Austin Oranday scream in pain for a verbal tap. He was on crutches after and it seems like his foot was broken from the nasty sub. Advertisement With the quick finish, Episode 3 didn't even last 20 mins. I'm not complaining though, since short episodes focused on the matches are better than usual TUF shenanigans and filler. Welterweight: Davis Asare (Team Musumeci) def. Austin Oranday (Team Gabriel) by submission (foot lock), R1 1:04 For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here. More from
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UFC BJJ: Road To The Title - Full Episodes, Free Live Stream
The UFC is rebranding their Fight Pass Invitational (UFC FPI) grappling series as 'UFC BJJ,' and relaunching with a new ruleset and a new 'Octobowl' surface — that they may or may not admit to have been borrowed from CJI. Advertisement The UFC's Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) promotion will have three inaugural title bouts on June 25, 2025, and during they will have a TUF-style BJJ reality show during the lead up to 'UFC BJJ 1.' The first exclusively signed UFC grappler Mikey Musumeci will coach opposite Rerrison Gabriel, and the reality show will have a stacked cast of decorated BJJ champions at lightweight and welterweight. UFC BJJ: Road to the Title free stream, full episodes The grappling reality show is dubbed 'UFC BJJ: Road to the Title,' and it will have eight episodes that air daily from June 16 - June 23, 2025. Full episodes will be streamed for free on YouTube and the entire season will be embedded and can be viewed for free below. Advertisement The first episode will air Monday, June 16, 2025 at 12 noon ET, and will have new episodes everyday until the UFC BJJ 1 event that hosts the finale. This post will be constantly updating when each new episodes are released, so watch the full season of UFC BJJ: Road to the Title below, spoiler-free. Episode 1 UFC BJJ: Road to the Title full cast of grapplers The full UFC BJJ: Road to the Title cast is below. Finalists will compete for the two inaugural titles at UFC BJJ 1. Lightweights Keith Krikorian — Polaris champ Gianni Grippo — 2-time IBJJF No Gi World Champion Isaac Doederlein — 2022 IBJJF World Champion Josh Cisneros — 2024 ADCC Bronze Carlos Henrique — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Pans Champion Danilo Moreira — 2023 IBJJF No Gi Worlds Bronze Mauricio Rios Kyvann Gonzalez Welterweights Andrew Tackett — 2024 ADCC Trials Winner Jason Nolf — 2-time US National Wrestling Champion Andy Varela — PGF Champion Davis Asare — 2024 ADCC Trials Silver Elijah Carlton Aaron Wilson Austin Oranday Nathan Haddad For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here. More from
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FPI copies CJI, Musumeci co-main cancelled due to ‘huge' UFC project
UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11 (UFC FPI 11) happens this Thursday, May 29, 2025, and there will be a couple of big changes to the event and the Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) promotion as a whole. The card will still be headlined by the top two female BJJ stars in the world in Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino. The Mikey Musumeci co-main event has been scrapped though, and there will also be a new rule set for UFC FPI events moving forward. Advertisement Below is everything you need to know about UFC FPI 11. UFC FPI 11: Mikey Musumeci vs. Geo Martinez. Mikey Musumeci vs. Geo Martinez scrapped from UFC FPI 11 due to BJJ TUF? Mikey Musumeci vs. Geo Martinez was supposed to co-headline UFC FPI 11, but the match has since been removed from the BJJ card. 'This same week of the match I am doing another huge project with @ufc that I am incredibly excited to share and announce with you guys super super soon,' Musumeci wrote on Instagram. 'but it benched our match from happening this week!' 'I would like to apologize to Geo and anyone looking forward to this match. I already gave Geo my word that we can do the match later in the year!!! The first half of the year started slow, but wait until you guys see what we're working on; I will be back competing VERY soon . Thank you everyone that supports me ❤️' Advertisement Musumeci's 'huge project' with the UFC likely is reported The Ultimate Fighter-style show adopted for BJJ that's about to be filmed. BJJ star turned promoter Craig Jones recently posted screenshots of rules sent to grapplers about to join the reality show, then criticized the UFC's business practices and show format that has long 'died.' LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - MARCH 03: Craig Jones prepares to face Rafael Lovato Jr. during the UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6 at UFC APEX on March 03, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. UFC Fight Pass Invitational 6: Jones v Lovato UFC Fight Pass Invitational adopts CJI-style rule set The UFC Fight Pass Invitational ruleset has been completely revamped, and will now have three five-minute rounds and a 10-point must system will be in place for judging. Stalling and passivity will also be penalized. Advertisement 10-9: When an athlete wins by a close margin. 10-8: When an athlete is overwhelmingly dominant throughout the round. 10-7: When an athlete is completely dominant throughout the round, to include near-bout ending sequences. Judges will prioritize submission attempts and then offensive action, with duration of control having the least amount of weight when scoring bouts. If this sounds familiar, it's because the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) has already been using this ruleset. Craig Jones of course wouldn't just let this news pass, as he took a jab at the announcement. Craig Jones reacting to UFC FPI rule change Jones openly stated that he was copying the MMA/UFC scoring system for his own BJJ promotion to try and draw in more casual fight fans to the sport. UFC themselves kept their arguably more complicated jiu-jitsu ruleset for almost a year after, but now they seem to finally agree with what Craig Jones had in mind. The change now keeps the scoring systems similar across the two sports under the UFC banner, and would conceivably make it a lot easier to understand for casual fight fans. Advertisement The only criticism from CJI rules is that five minute rounds could lead to less finishes in a slower paced jiu-jitsu match, as they'll have less time to work by the time they hit the mat. UFC FPI is just coming from 6 minutes with a 3-minute overtime though, so it shouldn't be that big a difference on their case. It'll also be interesting to see if UFC FPI eventually puts the other revolutionary change CJI has implemented (and borrowed from Karate Combat). By putting up pit walls, it nearly eliminated all those repeated resets seen in BJJ, and pushed more consistent action in matches. It clearly helped improve the entertainment value, but if UFC wants to shift to a pit too though, technically CJI and Karate Combat already share the patent on that fighting surface. Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino UFC FPI 11 poster banner UFC FPI 11: Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino fight card Despite losing Mikey Musumeci and its co-main event, UFC FPI 11 will still have a good BJJ card top by an excellent main event. Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino is arguably the best match to put on the sport today, as it features two ADCC champions and the consensus top two pound-for-pound female grapplers in the world. Advertisement It's a coup for the UFC to book this match up before other jiu-jitsu organizations, and this really should've been for the UFC's inaugural BJJ title. There are also two other really good women's matches on the line up. In the co-main event, Raquel Canuto will try to remain undefeated at UFC FPI, when she takes on reigning ADCC champ and six-time IBJJF world champ Ana Viera. ADCC trials winner Alex Enriquez will also be on the card against Jasmine Rocha. Also on UFC FPI 11, the always entertaining William Tackett will take on second generation BJJ star Achilles Rocha. The full UFC FPI 11 fight card is as follows: Advertisement Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino Raquel Canuto vs. Ana Viera William Tackett vs. Achilles Rocha Mason Fowler vs. Christiano Troisi Francisco Lo vs. Enrico Said Jasmine Rocha vs. Alex Enriquez Keven Carrasco vs. Sebastian Oyervidez Cobey Fehr vs. Ty Costlow UFC FPI 11: Ffion Davies vs. Adele Fornarino - How to watch, live stream, start time UFC Fight Pass Invitational 11 will happen on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. As its name suggests, the BJJ event will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass. UFC FPI 11 will start streaming on the promotion's media platform starting at 8 p.m. ET. You can also watch a preview of the event on the video embedded below: For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here. More from
