Craig Jones Is Out
Well, it’s official. Craig Jones is hanging it up. After years of being one of the most entertaining and unpredictable figures in grappling, he’s calling it a career.
The news dropped in true Craig fashion. No dramatic countdown. No tearful video. Just a quick “I’m out” during an interview, followed by a few low-key posts online. His final match will take place at CJI 2 at the end of August in Las Vegas, where he’s set to face Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson. If you know Craig, you know that matchup makes perfect sense for him.
But it’s not just about stepping away from competition. He’s also leaving B-Team Jiu-Jitsu behind. The team he helped build after the DDS split is now turning the page. B-Team as we know it is coming to an end. What comes next is a rebrand, led by Nicky Ryan, Nick Rodriguez, Ethan Crelinsten, and Damien Anderson.
That part caught a lot of people off guard. B-Team came together fast, made a huge splash, and brought a fresh vibe to the scene. Now it’s going to evolve without its most recognizable figure.
Of course, Gordon Ryan had something to say. He hopped online to throw a few shots at Craig and B-Team, saying things like “Team Bankrupt” and claiming the group had lost its way. He even said this was a case of cutting out poison.
Craig responded in the most Craig way possible. Calm, a little detached, and probably sincere? He said he doesn’t even know what Gordon means most of the time. And he hinted that maybe, just maybe, this retirement will finally bring the rivalry to a quiet close.
So what happens now? Craig said he’ll be done after August 31 and hinted at disappearing from the US grappling scene. Whether that means coaching elsewhere, focusing full-time on the Craig Jones Invitational, or just going off-grid for a bit, we’ll have to wait and see.
What we do know is this. Craig Jones has always done things on his terms. No big announcements. No farewell tour. Just a nod, a final match, and a quiet exit.
Sounds about right.