The Craig Jones Invitational 2 women’s tournament just got even more stacked. Craig Jones announced that Ana Carolina “Baby” Vieira has secured the third spot in the under-145lbs female bracket, leaving just one invitation remaining for what’s shaping up to be an absolute war.
Fresh off her dominant 2024 ADCC World Championship victory, Vieira brings serious momentum to CJI 2. The Brazilian submission artist made headlines last year when she defeated Helena Crevar in the -65kg ADCC finals, capping off a remarkable year where she shifted her focus to no-gi competition and found immediate success.
From Gi Domination to No-Gi Gold
Vieira’s transition to no-gi has been nothing short of spectacular. The seven-time black belt world champion, who boasts six IBJJF world titles across both gi and no-gi divisions, proved she could adapt her game seamlessly. Her 2024 campaign saw her defeat notable opponents including Amanda Leve and decorated veteran Bia Mesquita en route to ADCC gold.
The 31-year-old from Rio de Janeiro received her black belt from Julio Cesar in 2016 and has been a force in the sport ever since. Now as the founder and head coach of AVIV Jiu-Jitsu Academy, she’s balancing competition with building the next generation of grapplers.
CJI 2 Storylines Building
With Vieira joining Helena Crevar and Elvira Karppinen in the confirmed lineup, the potential for rematches and elite-level battles is already through the roof. The ADCC finals rematch between Vieira and Crevar alone would be worth the price of admission.
Craig Jones has been methodical in building this tournament, and adding the reigning ADCC champion shows he’s serious about bringing the absolute best female grapplers to compete for the biggest purses in the sport.
One spot remains in the women’s bracket, and speculation is already running wild about who might complete this murderer’s row of elite competitors. With CJI 2 promising to deliver the highest level of no-gi grappling, Vieira’s addition ensures the women’s division will be must-watch television.
The Brazilian’s combination of technical excellence, championship experience, and recent ADCC success makes her an immediate favorite. But in a field this deep, anything can happen when the mats are rolled out.
Watch Craig Jones announce this any also his comments on Team New Wave under
