Overview
Craig Jones is an Australian professional grappler and one of the most influential figures in modern no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Widely recognized for his innovative leg lock systems, composure under pressure, and consistent success against elite competition, Jones has played a defining role in the evolution of contemporary submission grappling.
Primarily competing in no-gi formats, Jones has achieved podium finishes and high-profile victories across the sport’s most prestigious events, establishing himself as both a top-level competitor and a technical reference point for modern leg lock-based grappling.
Early Life and Background
Craig Jones was born on June 17, 1991, in Adelaide, South Australia. Unlike many elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes, he began training later than most of his peers, entering grappling without a long childhood background in the sport.
Prior to fully committing to jiu-jitsu, Jones explored various athletic pursuits. His analytical mindset and willingness to challenge conventional approaches would later become defining characteristics of his competitive style.
Introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Jones began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Australia, with an early emphasis on no-gi competition rather than traditional gi-based development. His initial progression focused on positional awareness, leg entanglements, and submission efficiency, rather than point-oriented strategies.
As he started competing internationally, Jones quickly gained recognition for defeating more experienced and higher-ranked opponents, particularly through leg lock attacks and transitional submissions.
Connection to John Danaher and the Danaher Death Squad
A major turning point in Craig Jones’ career occurred when he began training under John Danaher at the Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City.
Within this environment, Jones trained alongside several of the most influential no-gi grapplers of the era, including:
- Gordon Ryan
- Garry Tonon
- Eddie Cummings
- Nicky Ryan
This collective later became known as the Danaher Death Squad (DDS).
Under Danaher’s systemized coaching framework, Jones refined his leg lock entries, back attack transitions, and positional control, transforming from a dangerous submission specialist into a consistently elite-level competitor.
Danaher Death Squad Era
During his tenure with DDS, Craig Jones achieved widespread international recognition through repeated high-profile performances at major professional events, including ADCC, EBI, Quintet, and Kasai Pro.
This period established Jones as one of the most technically creative and strategically adaptable leg lock specialists in submission grappling, known not only for winning, but for consistently threatening submissions against the best competitors in the world.
Formation of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu
In 2021, John Danaher announced the dissolution of the Danaher Death Squad as a unified team. Shortly thereafter, Craig Jones became a founding member of B-Team Jiu-Jitsu, alongside athletes such as:
- Nicky Rodriguez
- Nicky Ryan
- Ethan Crelinsten
The formation of B-Team marked a cultural and competitive shift, emphasizing experimentation, openness, and athlete individuality while maintaining elite competitive standards. Jones emerged as one of the team’s most recognizable figures and competitive leaders.
Competitive Style and Technical Identity
Craig Jones’ competitive style is defined by adaptability, creativity, and opportunistic submission attacks.
Signature Technical Traits
- Elite leg lock entries and counters
- Strong back-taking ability from scrambles
- Calm defensive awareness under pressure
- High submission threat from transitional positions
Rather than relying on rigid positional systems, Jones thrives in dynamic exchanges, frequently converting defensive moments into offensive opportunities.
Gi vs No-Gi Performance
Craig Jones is primarily known as a no-gi specialist.
- No-Gi: World-class leg lock systems, transitional submissions, and submission-focused strategies
- Gi: Limited competition compared to no-gi, with primary competitive focus remaining on submission grappling formats
His career is closely associated with the rise of professional no-gi competition.
Weight Classes and Competitive Range
Throughout his career, Craig Jones has competed successfully across multiple divisions, including:
- 77 kg
- 88 kg
- 99 kg
- Absolute (open weight)
His success across weight classes highlights both technical adaptability and the ability to compete effectively against larger opponents.
Major Achievements
ADCC World Championship
- 🥈 Silver Medal – 88 kg (2019)
- 🥉 Bronze Medal – Absolute (2019)
- 🥉 Bronze Medal – 88 kg (2017)
Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI)
- 🥇 EBI Absolute Champion (2017)
Quintet
- 🥇 Quintet 3 Champion – Team Australia (2018)
Kasai Pro
- 🥇 Kasai Pro Champion (2017)
Who’s Number One (WNO)
- 🏆 Multiple Superfight Victories (2020–2023)
Notable Rivalries
Gordon Ryan
One of the most discussed rivalries in modern no-gi grappling. While Ryan holds multiple victories, Jones has consistently challenged him at the highest level, particularly in leg lock exchanges and transitional positions.
Felipe Pena
A stylistic contrast between pressure-based control and dynamic leg lock attacks, producing several high-level encounters across major tournaments.
Career Summary
Based on publicly recorded professional competition data:
- 90+ professional matches
- Majority of victories by submission
- Losses primarily against elite, championship-level opposition
- Consistent submission threat regardless of match outcome
Jones’ career is characterized by creativity, adaptability, and long-term relevance at the highest level of submission grappling.
Complete Professional Match History
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event | Weight Class | Stage | Year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nathan Orchard | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 11 | 77KG | R1 | 2017 |
| Darragh OConaill | W | Kneebar | EBI 11 | 77KG | 4F | 2017 |
| Vagner Rocha | L | EBI/OT | EBI 11 | 77KG | SF | 2017 |
| Micah Brakefield | W | RNC | SUG 4 | N/A | SPF | 2017 |
| Leandro Lo | W | RNC | ADCC | 88KG | E1 | 2017 |
| Murilo Santana | W | Flying triangle | ADCC | 88KG | 4F | 2017 |
| Keenan Cornelius | L | Pts: 13x0 | ADCC | 88KG | SF | 2017 |
| Alexandre Ribeiro | L | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | 88KG | 3RD | 2017 |
| Chael Sonnen | W | Outside heel hook | ADCC | ABS | E1 | 2017 |
| Gordon Ryan | L | Katagatame | ADCC | ABS | 4F | 2017 |
| Ben Egli | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 5 | 88KG | SPF | 2017 |
| Bob Firas | W | Heel hook | Coffs Harbour Inv | ABS | SPF | 2017 |
| Andy Burke | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | R1 | 2017 |
| Marcel Goncalves | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | 4F | 2017 |
| Tex Johnson | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | SF | 2017 |
| Gordon Ryan | L | EBI/OT | EBI 14 | ABS | F | 2017 |
| Murilo Santana | L | Pts: 4x4, Pen | Kasai Pro | ABS | SPF | 2017 |
| C. Negromonte | L | Pts: 7x0 | NoGi Worlds | 85KG | 4F | 2017 |
| Jake Shields | W | Inside heel hook | Polaris 6 | 84KG | SPF | 2018 |
| Mindas Verzbickas | W | Kneebar | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
| Sergei Grecicho | D | --- | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
| Marcos Souza | W | Kneebar | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
| Nick Calvanese | W | Triangle | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
| Dante Leon | W | Pts: 2x0 | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
| Michael Perez | L | Pts: 3x2 | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
| Richie Martinez | W | Inside heel hook | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | 3RD | 2018 |
| Roberto Frias | W | Pts: 7x0 | Boa Super 8 | ABS | 4F | 2018 |
| Ben Hodgkinson | W | Outside heel hook | Boa Super 8 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
| DJ Jackson | L | Pts: 0x0, Pen | Boa Super 8 | ABS | F | 2018 |
| DJ Jackson | L | Referee Decision | Spider Inv. 4F | O76KG | SPF | 2018 |
| Rousimar Palhares | W | Referee Decision | Kasai Pro 3 | ABS | SPF | 2018 |
| Matheus Diniz | W | Referee Decision | Grapple Fest | ABS | SPF | 2018 |
| Richie Martinez | W | Terra footlock | Quintet 3 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
| Adam Sachnoff | W | RNC | Quintet 3 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
| Antoine Jaoude | W | RNC | Quintet 3 | ABS | F | 2018 |
| Gordon Ryan | L | Short choke | Quintet 3 | ABS | F | 2018 |
| Keenan Cornelius | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 8 | 93KG | SPF | 2018 |
| Gabriel Arges | W | RNC | GrappleFest 4 | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
| Tim Spriggs | W | Inside heel hook | Grappling Ind. | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
| Pedro Marinho | D | --- | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
| Jon Blank | W | RNC | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
| Kaynan Duarte | L | Short choke | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
| Jackson Sousa | W | Terra footlock | Kasai 5 | 93KG | 3RD | 2019 |
| Denis Hallman | W | Toe hold | SUG 8 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
| M. Lutes | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 10 | 85KG | SPF | 2019 |
| M. Perhavec | W | Inside heel hook | GrappleFest 5 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
| Matheus Diniz | L | Points | Third Coast | 85KG | SPF | 2019 |
| Tex Johnson | W | RNC | KASAI SS Florida | 92KG | SPF | 2019 |
| Anthony Johnson | W | Inside heel hook | SUG 9 | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
| Ben Dyson | W | Inside heel hook | ADCC | 88KG | R1 | 2019 |
| Mason Fowler | W | Arm in guillotine | ADCC | 88KG | 4F | 2019 |
| Jon Blank | W | RNC | ADCC | 88KG | SF | 2019 |
| Matheus Diniz | L | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | 88KG | F | 2019 |
| Adam Wardzinski | W | Reverse triangle | GrappleFest 7 | 100KG | SPF | 2019 |
| Fredson Paixao | W | RNC | Quintet Ultra | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
| Gilbert Burns | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 10 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
| Kevin Casey | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 12 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Vinny Magalhaes | W | verbal tap | SUG 13 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Vagner Rocha | W | EBI/OT | SUG 14 | 88KG | SPF | 2020 |
| Gabriel Checco | W | EBI/OT | SUG 15 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Mason Fowler | L | EBI/OT | SUG 16 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Mason Fowler | L | EBI/OT | SUG 17 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Roberto Jimenez | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 4 | 93KG | SPF | 2020 |
| Brent Primus | W | RNC | SUG 19 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Satoshi Ishii | W | RNC | SUG 20 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
| Ronaldo Junior | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 6 | 88KG | SPF | 2021 |
| Luiz Panza | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 9 | 92KG | SPF | 2021 |
| Tye Ruotolo | W | Referee Decision | WNO 10 | 90KG | SPF | 2021 |
| Davi Ramos | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 17 | 85KG | SPF | 2021 |
| Sean Brady | L | Referee Decision | Fury Pro | 90KG | SPF | 2021 |
| Pedro Marinho | L | Referee Decision | WNO 11 | 93KG | SPF | 2022 |
| Eldar Savidov | W | RNC | AIGA | ABS | SPF | 2022 |
| Joao Costa | W | Violin armlock | ADCC | 99KG | R1 | 2022 |
| Kyle Boehm | W | Guillotine | ADCC | 99KG | 4F | 2022 |
| Nicholas Meregali | W | Referee Decision | ADCC | 99KG | SF | 2022 |
| Kaynan Duarte | L | Pts: 12x0 | ADCC | 99KG | F | 2022 |
| Felipe Pena | W | EBI/OT | UFC FPI 4 | ABS | SPF | 2023 |
| Gregor Gracie | D | --- | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
| Richie Martinez | W | Toe hold | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
| Geo Martinez | W | Triangle armlock | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
| Kyle Boehm | D | --- | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | W | RNC | Polaris 26 | 93KG | SPF | 2023 |
| Rafael Lovato | W | Inside heel hook | UFC FP6 | ABS | SPF | 2024 |
| Rinat Fakhretdinov | W | Triangle | Karate Combat | NA | SPF | 2024 |
| Phil Rowe | W | Triangle | Karate Kombat | NA | SPF | 2024 |
| Gabrielle Garcia | W | RNC | CJI | NA | SPF | 2024 |
| Chael Sonnen | W | Buggy choke | CJI 2 | ABS | SPF | 2025 |
Instructionals and Influence
Beyond competition, Craig Jones is one of the most influential instructional creators in modern grappling. His educational material emphasizes:
- Leg lock systems
- Escapes and counters
- No-gi guard retention
- Transitional submission chains
His teaching approach focuses on conceptual understanding rather than rigid sequences, influencing how modern no-gi grappling is studied and trained.
Legacy and Influence
Craig Jones’ impact on no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu extends beyond medals and titles. He represents a shift toward creativity, openness, and adaptive problem-solving within elite submission grappling.
As a competitor, teammate, and instructor, Jones continues to shape the technical and cultural direction of modern no-gi jiu-jitsu.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Craig Jones primarily a gi or no-gi competitor?
Primarily no-gi.
Who has coached Craig Jones?
John Danaher (formerly), B-Team Jiu-Jitsu coaching collective.
What is Craig Jones best known for?
Leg lock innovation and elite submission grappling.
Is Craig Jones still active?
Yes. He continues to compete and teach internationally.
