Craig Jones drops bombshell announcement as grappling’s biggest event opens floodgates for late entries
August 3, 2025 – BJJ Hype
The grappling world is buzzing after Craig Jones revealed that CJI 2 will feature a staggering 20 wildcard opportunities, fundamentally changing the landscape of what’s already being called the “Super Bowl of Jiu-Jitsu.” The announcement, made via the official CJI Instagram on August 1st, has teams scrambling and fans speculating about who will fill these coveted last-minute spots.
20 Wildcards: Game-Changing Numbers
“Team Daisy Fresh doesn’t care if there are 20 wildcard opportunities at CJI 2,” read the Instagram post that has already garnered over 4,600 likes and 130 comments. The casual tone masks what could be the most significant format change in modern grappling tournament history.
Twenty wildcard spots in a team-based tournament means roughly 2-3 additional competitors per team, completely reshuffling the dynamics that teams have been planning for months. With CJI 2 set for August 30-31 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, these late additions could make or break championship dreams.
See Craig Jones announcement here: https://www.instagram.com/p/DMywloAyKsh/
Mica Galvao: The Crown Jewel Signing
The biggest wildcard revelation came during the WNO 29 broadcast when Craig Jones announced that Mica Galvao, one of the sport’s top pound-for-pound talents, would be joining New Wave as a wildcard addition. The signing has been described as a “pretty major” coup for Gordon Ryan’s squad.
Galvao, known for his explosive style and championship pedigree, brings elite-level experience to a New Wave team that already features some of the sport’s biggest names. His addition could be the missing piece that pushes New Wave over the edge in their quest for CJI 2 dominance.
Strategic Implications
The wildcard system creates fascinating strategic questions:
- Team Chemistry: How do you integrate world-class talent with just weeks to prepare?
- Weight Class Balance: Teams can now shore up weak divisions with elite additions
- Psychological Warfare: Late signings can completely change opponents’ game plans
Team Daisy Fresh’s confident stance suggests they’re either supremely confident in their current roster or have their own wildcard aces up their sleeve. The Illinois-based team has never shied away from taking on bigger names and deeper pockets.
Previous Wildcard Additions
This isn’t the first time Craig Jones has used wildcards to shake up the tournament landscape. Victor Hugo was previously announced as joining B-Team in the +99kg division, showing that Jones isn’t afraid to make moves that benefit multiple teams, including his own.
The pattern suggests Jones is prioritizing entertainment value and competitive balance over traditional tournament structures – a move that’s pure Craig Jones.
What This Means for CJI 2
With 20 wildcard spots available, every team in the tournament could potentially add 2-3 elite competitors. This creates several scenarios:
- Arms Race: Teams with deeper pockets could dominate late signings
- Underdog Boost: Smaller teams could land game-changing additions
- Chaos Factor: Last-minute additions create unpredictable matchups
The Galvao signing to New Wave suggests the wildcard system might favor established teams with existing relationships and financial resources. However, Craig Jones has always been unpredictable, and there could be surprises that level the playing field.
Fan Reaction and Engagement
The announcement has generated massive engagement across social media, with fans speculating about potential signings and debating how wildcards will affect their favorite teams. The 4,600+ likes and 130 comments on the initial post show the grappling community is fully invested in these developments.
Comments range from excitement about seeing unexpected matchups to concerns about fairness and preparation time. One thing is certain: Craig Jones has once again found a way to keep CJI 2 in the headlines.
Looking Ahead
With nearly four weeks until CJI 2, expect more wildcard announcements to drop regularly. Craig Jones has mastered the art of building anticipation, and these 20 spots represent 20 opportunities to generate headlines and social media buzz.
The question now isn’t whether more big names will join as wildcards – it’s which teams will be smart enough to make the moves that could define their CJI 2 campaigns.
Who do you think should get the remaining wildcard spots? Will New Wave’s addition of Mica Galvao be the signing that puts them over the top?
CJI 2 takes place August 30-31, 2025, at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. Tickets and streaming information available at the official CJI website.
