Latest news with #grappling
Yahoo
a day ago
- 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
27-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Bella Mir aims to be first active UFC fighter to take part in Olympics
LAS VEGAS - With UFC CEO Dana White's support, Bella Mir has lofty aspirations. Mir submitted Carol Joia in the first round in Wednesday's UFC BJJ 1 event. The daughter of former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir is actively competing in grappling, wrestling and MMA. Advertisement Mir is happy to dabble in all forms of martial arts while chasing her Olympic dream – but she wants to be the first to do it as an active UFC fighter should she eventually make her way to the octagon. "Honestly, if it was up to me, I probably would be doing all of it at the same time like what I am right now," Mir said during the UFC BJJ 1 post-match press conference. "But I feel like I'll have a couple of prelim fights for the UFC, and then once 2028 comes around, I'll be like, 'Is it OK if I just don't fight just this year?' I could see that happening. "Or, I could see it just wrestling, doing jiu-jitsu and just fighting on UFC Fight Pass, and signing with the UFC right after 2028. It's also Dana's call. I've had meetings with him a lot about what my future looks like and what he wants me to do, and he pushes college wrestling a lot. He also pushes 2028. He wants me to go down that route, too. It's just a lot of talking with people close to me about what's best." Mir (3-0) will return to the cage for the first time in more than three years when she takes on Alivia Bierley (2-1) in a bantamweight bout July 27 at Fury Challenger Series 14, which takes place at Imagen Venues in Houston, and streams on UFC Fight Pass. This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Bella Mir aims to be first active UFC fighter to compete in Olympics
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
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
KSI HUMBLED by UFC legend as YouTuber is forced to tap in just 17 SECONDS during grappling match
KSI was forced to tap out after just 17 seconds during a recent challenge with UFC fighter Demetrius Johnson. The YouTuber, who has also fought in a number of boxing bouts, set himself a target of lasting one minute in a grappling match with the former UFC flyweight champion. KSI started the contest on top of Johnson, seemingly in an advantageous position. However, he was beaten comfortably by the MMA man, an arm-lock forcing KSI to tap out just with just 17 seconds gone on the timer. 'He put up a wager, he put up a challenge,' explained Johnson. 'KSI does not grapple, he's more of a boxer. — ً. (@C0MB4TT) June 16, 2025 KSI last took to the ring for a boxing bout when he lost to pro fighter Tommy Fury back in 2023 'So I am always down for a challenge, especially someone who doesn't grapple as much. 'I am 145 pounds, he's 210. You guys might say he ain't 260, I understand that but we're gonna get a little bit of a grapple on and see if he can survive for one minute against me on the ground.' He did not. The pair exchanged high fives before starting the clock, Johnson quickly getting off the ground and flipping KSI onto his back. Johnson first went for the leg but decided on the YouTuber's arm, warning him the time to tap out would come soon. KSI quickly realised he was in trouble and wisely submitted. 'Oh my god,' he said after tapping out. 'Holy sh*t.' Johnson last fought in the UFC back in 2018. He lost his flyweight title to Henry Cejudo after a record 11 championship defences. Johnson was subsequently traded to the ONE Championship where he fought until his retirement in 2024. After rising to YouTube fame, KSI turned his hand to boxing, infamously fighting fellow streamer Logan Paul on two occasions. One was a draw, the other a KSI victory. In 2023, KSI lost to boxer and former Love Island star Tommy Fury. That was his last fight to date after a number of attempts to get back in the ring were cancelled.
