Craig Jones: The Aussie Who Turned Grappling Into a Business

Craig Jones is one of the most recognizable names in modern grappling, and not just because of his results on the mat. He's a two-time ADCC silver medalist, the co-founder of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, and the man behind the Craig Jones Invitational, an event that pays competitors more than any other tournament in the sport.

Who Is Craig Jones?

Craig Benjamin Jones was born on July 17, 1991, in Adelaide, South Australia. He's a black belt under Lachlan Giles, and he became the first Australian male to win an IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, taking gold at purple belt in 2015. That result put Australian grappling on the map, and Jones has spent the decade since expanding on it, according to Wikipedia).

How He Started

Jones trained in Australia before joining John Danaher's training group in New York, where he sharpened his leg lock game alongside future stars like Gordon Ryan. That system built his reputation as one of the most dangerous heel hookers in the sport. You can see the same leg lock foundation Jones learned in this era in guides like our heel hook safety breakdown.

Competitive Record and Notable Wins

Jones medaled silver at ADCC in 2019 (-88kg, Anaheim) and again in 2022 (-99kg, Las Vegas), both times losing tight finals to elite competition. Along the way he built a highlight reel of finishes, including a submission win over Leandro Lo at the 2017 ADCC trials, per BJJ Heroes. He never won ADCC gold, but his consistency across multiple Opens made him one of the most reliable no-gi competitors of his generation.

Fighting Style and Signature Techniques

Jones built his name on leg locks, particularly the outside heel hook, paired with an aggressive guard-passing game that forces scrambles. He's also known for his willow guard and inverted entries, techniques that trace directly back to the Danaher system. His public breakdowns of leg lock mechanics have become some of the most-watched instructional content in the sport.

Legacy and Current Status

In 2021, Jones co-founded B-Team Jiu-Jitsu in Austin, Texas, alongside Nicky Rodriguez, Nicky Ryan, and Ethan Crelinsten after the Danaher Death Squad split up. B-Team quickly became a content and competition powerhouse. In 2024, Jones launched the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), a $3 million event with guaranteed appearance fees and a $1,000,000 grand prize per weight class, aimed at fixing what he saw as unfair pay structures in grappling. The event has become a serious rival to ADCC for top-level talent, alongside stars like Gordon Ryan. Jones remains active as a competitor, coach, and one of the sport's most followed commentators.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did Craig Jones ever win ADCC gold? No. Jones has two ADCC silver medals, from 2019 and 2022, but has not won an ADCC world title.

What is the Craig Jones Invitational? CJI is a grappling event Jones founded in 2024, funded to pay competitors far more than traditional tournaments, with a $1,000,000 grand prize per division.

Who is Craig Jones's black belt under? He holds his black belt under Lachlan Giles.

What is B-Team? B-Team Jiu-Jitsu is the training group and content brand Jones co-founded in Austin, Texas, in 2021 with Nicky Rodriguez, Nicky Ryan, and Ethan Crelinsten.

What is Craig Jones known for on the mat? He's known for his leg lock game, especially heel hooks, developed under the Danaher training system.

The Bottom Line

Craig Jones never needed an ADCC gold medal to become one of the most influential figures in grappling. Between B-Team and CJI, he's reshaped how the sport pays its athletes, and he's still competing and coaching at the top level.