- CJI2 womens division introduces a $100K prize for a four-athlete bracket—making it the most lucrative purse in women’s jiu-jitsu history.
- Helena Crevar and Adele Fornarino are the first names confirmed.
- With only two matches required to win six figures, CJI 2 flips the script on how women’s grappling is structured and sold.
- Instead of symbolic inclusion, this is a direct financial investment in female BJJ athletes—offering a sustainable template others may follow.
CJI2 Womens Division Makes History With a Compact, High-Payout Format
Craig Jones isn’t playing it safe with his second invitational event. The newly unveiled CJI2 womens division will offer a staggering $100,000 winner-takes-all prize, awarded after just two matches in a four-woman bracket.
In a sport where even top-tier female competitors often earn only modest purses, this format is a game-changer.
The structure is deliberately small but impactful—designed to create maximum financial reward with minimum filler. Set to run alongside the high-profile $1 million men’s team BJJ tournament on August 30–31, the Craig Jones Invitational womens bracket isn’t just a side card—it’s a headliner.
Helena Crevar and Adele Fornarino Confirmed for CJI2 Women’s Bracket
Two of the most exciting names in female grappling have already signed on. Helena Crevar, the 17-year-old phenom and WNO standout, was the first athlete revealed.
Crevar’s rise has been meteoric—she’s already taken gold at elite brown belt competitions and received her black belt earlier this year. All that’s left now is the Helena Crevar CJI debut.
Joining her is Adele Fornarino, fresh off an ADCC Trials win and a breakout year that saw her challenge high-level competition across several promotions. With these two locked in, the bracket already has championship pedigree.
The CJI2 womens division isn’t just a breakthrough for female grapplers—it’s validation that they can move the needle in terms of fan interest and commercial value.
Why a Smaller Bracket Could Be the Blueprint for Big Money Women’s BJJ
At first glance, a four-person bracket might seem limited—but in reality, it’s a calculated move. Two matches, one champion, and a six-figure check create a simple, dramatic format that favors storytelling and spotlight over excess.
It’s a more digestible product for fans and a more lucrative one for athletes. Compare this to the traditional grind of IBJJF or ADCC: even top competitors often fight five or six times in a weekend for a fraction of the prize.
In contrast, CJI2’s compact format respects both the viewer’s time and the athlete’s effort. And crucially, this bracket doesn’t sacrifice talent for simplicity. The inclusion of elite women like Crevar and Fornarino proves that the division’s quality is on par with its prize pool.
CJI2 Isn’t Just Following the Trend—It’s Forcing the Issue
Promotions like ADCC and IBJJF have made gestures toward equity—equal show money here, more women’s BJJ superfights there—but none have gone this far this fast.
By dropping $100K on a single female bracket, Craig Jones is pushing the industry forward rather than waiting for consensus.
This is a statement: women’s Jiu-Jitsu is worth promoting, worth funding, and worth headlining. And because it’s tied to financial reality—not social media campaigns or vague commitments—it forces competing promotions to consider matching this kind of investment.
Craig Jones admitted he was “bullied” into creating a women’s bracket. That pressure just created the most lucrative opportunity in women’s grappling history.
This Isn’t Just a Bracket—It’s a Shift in the BJJ World
The CJI2 womens division isn’t padding a fight card—it’s sending a message that smaller, smarter, better-funded formats may be the key to truly elevating women in jiu-jitsu. Promotions don’t need bloated brackets or token inclusions—they need a platform that pays real money and treats athletes like stars.
There are still two athlete slots to be announced, but the framework is already in place: tight format, high reward, real visibility. It’s a structure that doesn’t just showcase talent—it helps women in BJJ finally earn like it.
