In a move that nobody saw coming, Craig Jones has announced that Team New Wave will also receive $1 million despite losing the CJI 2 team competition in that razor-thin 47-47 decision. The announcement comes after significant controversy surrounding the judges’ decision that awarded B-Team the victory.
The Controversy That Changed Everything
The CJI 2 team finale was supposed to be the perfect ending – B-Team edging out New Wave in a dramatic tiebreaker that came down to Nicky Rod vs Luke Griffith. But what should have been a clean victory celebration quickly turned into a shitstorm of debate about the judging.
The decision was so close, so contentious, that it left a bitter taste in everyone’s mouth. Social media exploded with arguments about scoring, with many feeling that New Wave got robbed in what was essentially a coin flip of a match.
Enter the Anonymous Donor
According to reports, Craig Jones received backing from an anonymous donor who stepped up to make things right. The mystery benefactor reportedly told Jones: “I’m gonna put up another million to pay New Wave. There was no bad intent from Craig, Seth, the judges, or anyone. It just went wrong.”
This isn’t just Craig throwing money around for publicity – this is someone with serious cash recognizing that the controversy was overshadowing what should have been a celebration of elite grappling.
Why This Matters More Than the Money
Sure, $1 million is life-changing money for any grappler. But what Craig Jones has done here goes way deeper than just cutting a check. He’s basically said: “The integrity of this competition matters more than the drama.”
Think about it – he could have let the controversy simmer, let people argue about the decision for months, and used the drama to build hype for CJI 3. Instead, he’s taken the high road and made sure both teams get rewarded for putting on an absolute clinic.
Gordon Ryan’s retirement announcement suddenly doesn’t sting as much when his team is walking away with a million-dollar consolation prize. And B-Team still gets their victory and their payday – everybody wins.
The Bigger Picture
This move cements Craig Jones as more than just a promoter – he’s positioning himself as someone who genuinely cares about the sport and its athletes. When was the last time you saw a combat sports promoter voluntarily double their prize money because of a controversial decision?
The anonymous donor angle adds another layer of intrigue. Who has $1 million lying around and cares enough about grappling to make this right? It’s either someone with serious BJJ connections or someone who recognizes good business when they see it.
What This Means for CJI’s Future
Craig Jones has just set a precedent that’s going to be impossible to ignore. Every future CJI event now comes with the implicit promise that if something goes sideways, he’ll make it right. That’s the kind of reputation that attracts the best athletes and the biggest sponsors.
The fact that he’s willing to eat a million-dollar loss (even with the donor’s help) to preserve the integrity of his event shows he’s playing the long game. CJI isn’t just about making quick cash – it’s about building something that lasts.
The Bottom Line
In a sport where promoters are notorious for screwing over fighters, Craig Jones just did the opposite. He saw a problem, recognized it was hurting his event’s credibility, and fixed it in the most direct way possible.
Both B-Team and New Wave walk away as millionaires. The controversy dies down. CJI’s reputation gets stronger. And somewhere out there, an anonymous donor just proved that there are still people who care more about doing right than being right.
That’s how you turn a potential disaster into a masterclass in promotion. Craig Jones didn’t just save face – he elevated the entire sport.
