The world of professional grappling is abuzz following an announcement that promises to reshape its competitive landscape: Craig Jones, one of the sport`s most recognizable and accomplished figures, is set to retire from professional competition. His departure, coupled with a significant rebranding of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, has not gone unnoticed by longtime rival Gordon Ryan, whose subsequent public remarks have peeled back layers of past tensions and rivalries within the elite grappling community.
A Farewell Tour and a New Chapter for B-Team
Craig Jones confirmed that his upcoming match at the second Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 2), scheduled for August 30 and 31 in Las Vegas, will mark his final professional outing. This climactic encounter against Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson is poised to be a significant event, closing the book on Jones` illustrious competitive career.
Jones, a formidable competitor, boasts an impressive resume, including an IBJJF world championship, multiple ADCC silver medals, and three Polaris titles. Beyond his personal accolades, Jones has significantly contributed to the grappling world as a promoter and a jiu-jitsu coach, notably for UFC champions Alexander Volkanovski and Jack Della Maddalena.
However, Jones` announcement extends beyond his personal retirement. He revealed a significant organizational shift for B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, the prominent grappling academy he has spearheaded. The team is slated for a rebrand, with Nicky Ryan—Gordon Ryan`s younger brother—stepping into the role of head coach. The core roster, including Nicky Rod, Ethan Crelinsten, and Damian Anderson, is expected to remain.
“This is our farewell tour to America,” Jones stated on YouTube, indicating his imminent departure from the United States following CJI 2. “After Aug. 31, I don’t know what I’m doing, but you will not see me again.”
This statement leaves the grappling community pondering Jones` future endeavors, as he leaves behind not only his competitive career but also his leadership role and his presence in America.
Gordon Ryan Unleashes a Torrent of Criticism
The seismic shifts announced by Craig Jones were met with an immediate and vociferous response from Gordon Ryan, widely considered one of the greatest no-gi grapplers of all time. Ryan, who has a complex history with many B-Team members, including Jones himself, seized the opportunity to issue a scathing assessment of Jones` leadership and B-Team`s trajectory.
Ryan`s critique, delivered with his characteristic bluntness, was multifaceted and aimed directly at the perceived failures of those who departed his original training camp to form B-Team. He suggested a widespread dissatisfaction among B-Team members, claiming many have sought to rejoin his “Kingsway” team.
“Good news, everyone! In less than a short five years, nearly everyone who left the greatest combat team that has ever existed to form their own team has now also left that team, and almost all who left have asked to rejoin kingsway,” Ryan wrote, not mincing words. He continued, questioning the effectiveness and presence of B-Team`s leadership: “I guess they aren’t happy with their leader romanticizing cocaine and losing constantly. Or maybe it’s the fact that seeing Big Foot on camera is a more likely catch than seeing the leader of the gym actually at the gym. Or maybe it’s the fact that the leader of the gym is traveling the world partying while the real members run the gym?”
Ryan further lambasted B-Team`s perceived inability to cultivate new talent, asserting that the team has failed to develop any notable athletes outside of those who originated from his own tutelage. This specific criticism points to a deeper ideological divide regarding team development and philosophy within elite grappling. The irony, of course, is that Ryan`s comments arrive just as B-Team is poised for a significant leadership transition, a rebrand that Ryan dismissively suggested could be named “team bankrupt.”
He hinted at exciting new developments from his camp, mentioning a “sick spot in Austin [Texas] that’s opening soon, where we will have world champions, not blue belts teaching our pro classes, and teaching to all levels and aspirations.” This thinly veiled jab at B-Team`s perceived coaching standards underscores the deep-seated rivalry that continues to define this segment of the grappling world.
The Grappling Chessboard: Moves and Counter-Moves
The combined announcements from Craig Jones and Gordon Ryan illustrate the dynamic and often contentious nature of professional grappling. Jones` retirement marks the end of a significant competitive era for one of its most charismatic figures, while his withdrawal from B-Team leadership signals a new phase for the acclaimed academy under Nicky Ryan. Concurrently, Gordon Ryan`s public broadside serves as both a declaration of perceived victory and a clear warning shot, solidifying his position as the sport`s dominant, if controversial, voice.
As the August dates approach, all eyes will be on Las Vegas for CJI 2, not only to witness Craig Jones` final competitive performance but also to observe the ripple effects of these significant shifts. The grappling community, known for its passionate rivalries and outspoken personalities, will undoubtedly continue to dissect the implications of these strategic moves on its ever-evolving landscape. Whether B-Team`s rebrand under Nicky Ryan can silence the critics or if Gordon Ryan`s predictions of internal discord will prove prescient remains to be seen. The only certainty is that the drama in the grappling world is far from over.
Marcus Blakely