The Unfiltered Truth: 5 Shocking Moments From The Craig Jones Vs. Gabi Garcia Intergender Grappling Match
The highly-anticipated intergender grappling match between Australian star Craig Jones and Brazilian legend Gabi Garcia at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) in August 2024 delivered on its promise of controversy, drama, and high-stakes submission wrestling. The event, which made headlines for reasons both on and off the mat, has cemented its place as one of the most talked-about moments in recent martial arts history, sparking intense debate about sportsmanship, showmanship, and the boundaries of competitive grappling.
The clash was more than just a fight; it was a carefully orchestrated spectacle by Jones, known for his provocative antics and self-proclaimed "heel" persona. This article, updated for late 2024/early 2025, dives deep into the biographies of the two grappling titans, the shocking pre-fight incident, the match itself, and the lasting fallout that continues to shape the world of no-gi jiu-jitsu.
Grappling Titans: Complete Biography and Career Profiles
The match pitted two of the most decorated, yet polarizing, figures in the world of submission grappling against each other. Their combined resumes represent a massive portion of the sport's highest-level achievements.
Craig Jones: The Australian Heel
- Full Name: Craig Jones
- Nationality: Australian
- Date of Birth: July 17, 1991
- Jiu-Jitsu Rank: Black Belt (under Lachlan Giles)
- Primary Team: B-Team Jiu-Jitsu (Founder/Head Coach)
- Notable Achievements:
- 2x ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship Silver Medalist (2017, 2019)
- 3x Polaris Pro Grappling Champion
- EBI 11 Welterweight Champion
- Highly sought-after MMA Grappling Coach (formerly with City Kickboxing)
- Persona: Known for his sharp wit, controversial humor, and ability to generate massive media attention, often adopting a "heel" character.
Gabi Garcia: The Brazilian Juggernaut
- Full Name: Gabrielle Lemos "Gabi" Garcia
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Date of Birth: November 17, 1985
- Jiu-Jitsu Rank: Black Belt (under Fabio Gurgel)
- Primary Team: Alliance Jiu-Jitsu
- Notable Achievements:
- 9x IBJJF World Champion (Gi)
- 4x ADCC Submission Wrestling World Champion (Absolute and +60kg)
- Undefeated Professional MMA Record (6-0, 1 NC) in RIZIN Fighting Federation
- Widely considered the most dominant female competitor in BJJ history.
- Persona: A powerhouse athlete known for her immense size and strength, who has successfully transitioned between Gi, No-Gi, and MMA.
The Shocking Incident: Forced Kiss at the Face-Off
The pre-fight weigh-in and face-off for the intergender match at the CJI became the most explosive moment of the entire event, overshadowing the grappling itself.
A Controversial Stunt: As the two athletes faced off, Jones, without apparent consent, grabbed Garcia and planted a forceful kiss on her mouth.
Immediate Backlash: The incident was instantly captured on video and went viral, leading to massive public outcry.
Accusations of Misconduct: Jones faced widespread backlash, with many critics, including fans and media outlets, accusing him of sexual harassment and poor sportsmanship.
Garcia’s Reaction: While Garcia appeared visibly shocked and quickly pulled away, she later downplayed the incident as part of Jones's showmanship and the overall spectacle of the event.
The controversy was a calculated risk by Jones and the CJI promotion, successfully generating an unprecedented level of media attention for the event, but at the cost of significant ethical debate within the martial arts community.
The Intergender Match: A Historic Grappling Superfight
Despite the drama, the match itself was a historic moment, representing one of the first high-profile, mixed-sex grappling bouts between two elite, world-class competitors. The size difference was significant, with Garcia holding a considerable weight advantage, though Jones is widely regarded as one of the best pound-for-pound no-gi submission specialists in the world.
Match Dynamics and Submission
- The Ruleset: The match was contested under the CJI's no-gi submission-only rules, which favor aggressive, heel-hook-heavy leg-lock attacks—a specialty of Craig Jones and the B-Team.
- Jones’s Strategy: Jones employed his signature leg-entanglement system, aiming to neutralize Garcia's superior top pressure and strength.
- The Finish: Ultimately, Jones secured a submission victory, defeating Garcia via a rear-naked choke.
The win was a major statement for Jones, proving his technical skill could overcome a massive size and strength disparity against a legendary opponent. For Garcia, simply participating in the high-profile, mixed-sex event was a significant career moment that helped reshape her public image from "controversial" to a "crowd favourite" for her willingness to compete.
The Lingering Fallout and CJI 2 Drama
The story of Jones and Garcia didn't end with the tap-out. The event, the controversy, and the rivalry between Jones's B-Team and other grappling entities continue to generate fresh news and debate into 2025.
Gabi Garcia Fires Back at CJI Critics
Months after the match, Gabi Garcia found herself back in the headlines following the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2). The second team tournament was marred by accusations of "corruption" and judging controversies, primarily fueled by rival grappler Gordon Ryan.
Garcia publicly defended the CJI, firing back at Ryan and suggesting his criticism was driven by personal animosity towards Jones and the B-Team.
Key Entities and Rivalries:
- Gordon Ryan: The main rival of Craig Jones and the B-Team, constantly feuding over social media and event legitimacy.
- New Wave Jiu-Jitsu: Ryan's team, which competed against B-Team in the CJI 2 finals, adding fuel to the "corruption" accusations.
- ADCC: The prestigious international submission wrestling tournament, which many athletes, including Garcia, chose to skip in favor of the high-paying CJI.
Garcia's continued involvement and vocal support for the CJI brand, despite the personal controversy she endured, suggests a complex, ongoing professional relationship with Craig Jones and his promotion. This dynamic highlights the tight-knit, yet dramatically contentious, ecosystem of elite professional no-gi grappling today, where rivalries like Jones vs. Ryan and the spectacle of intergender matches drive massive interest.
The entire saga—from the shocking kiss to the choke-out, and the subsequent defense of the CJI—demonstrates how Craig Jones and Gabi Garcia have mastered the art of generating buzz, proving that in modern combat sports, drama and personality are just as valuable as technical skill.
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