The world of competitive grappling is set to witness a groundbreaking event as Craig Jones announces the second installment of the Craig Jones Invitational – CJI 2. This time, the tournament will feature an ambitious team-based format with eight elite squads competing for a $1 million prize.

Grappling’s Biggest Prize: CJI 2’s $1 Million Team Tournament
The Craig Jones Invitational (CJI) is set to return with its second edition, promising to reshape the future of competitive grappling. The inaugural CJI event, held in 2023, left a lasting impact on the grappling community with its innovative approach and high-stakes competition.
Building on that success, CJI 2 aims to elevate the sport even further by introducing a team-based format, setting the stage for a thrilling and dynamic showdown. Scheduled to take place at the iconic Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, CJI 2 will feature eight elite teams battling it out in a quintet-style, last-man-standing format.
With a staggering $1 million prize on the line and an exciting competition format, this event is poised to be one of the most lucrative and highly anticipated tournaments in grappling history.
10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu Confirms Lineup for CJI 2
One of the most exciting aspects of CJI 2 is its team-based format, following the Quintet model, which brings a new level of strategy and camaraderie to the sport.
Teams composed of five athletes each will face off in a single-elimination tournament, with the goal of having the last man standing to secure victory for their team. Prominent academies such as Atos, New Wave, B-Team, Checkmat, Gracie Barra, and 10th Planet are expected to participate.
The first team to officially announce their lineup for CJI 2 is 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu, a renowned academy known for its innovative techniques and formidable athletes. The 10th Planet team features an impressive roster:
- Geo Martinez: The veteran competitor of the bunch, with the most unpredictable, submission-orientated, and aggressive style of the bunch.
- Alan Sanchez: Two-time EBI welterweight champion known for his submission prowess, ready to showcase his grappling skillset on a different platform. Will be fun to see his performance.
- PJ Barch: Arguably, the most versatile grappler with the most well-rounded skill set on this team. Not too exciting, but always very technical.
- Ryan Aitken: A rising star with a tenacious approach to competition. We expect Ryan to become the next 10P sensation.
- Kyle Boehm: No real big BJJ event can go without the participation of Boehm, a seasoned athlete with a wealth of experience and tactical acumen.
The team format not only highlights individual skills but also emphasizes teamwork, strategy, and adaptability. Each match in the tournament will test the grapplers’ ability to work together, cover each other’s weaknesses, and capitalize on their opponents’ vulnerabilities.

Top Pro Grapplers Excited for CJI Superfights “Craig Always Brings the Money”
Mackenzie Dern, one of the most popular female BJJ competitors of all time, has expressed her eagerness to return for CJI 2. After making waves in the grappling community by choosing to compete at the inaugural CJI instead of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) World Championships in 2024, Dern is keen on another CJI super fight, after losing in her first appearance to Ffion Davies.
Following her recent victory at UFC Fight Night 249, where she secured a third-round submission win over Amanda Ribas, Dern revealed that she received a message from UFC brass commending her performance and expressing interest in her participation in CJI 2.
“Definitely. (Craig Jones) always brings the money,” Dern said about her interest in being part of CJI 2 when asked about it.
“It’s a good show. I like how he brings the entertainment to Jiu-Jitsu. We kind of need that. I think it reaches a lot of different people, which is one of the reasons why I came to MMA: to try and spread jiu-jitsu to people who never even seen martial arts or practice martial arts.”
Dern’s decision to compete at CJI 2 highlights the growing crossover appeal between MMA and grappling, as well as the lucrative opportunities that events like CJI offer to top-tier athletes.
Danielle Kelly, the former ONE FC world grappling champion recently posted on her social media that there is no conflict if ONE contracted athletes want to compete in CJI, potentially hinting at her interest to appear in Craig Jones’ revolutionary pro-tournament.

Craig Jones Invitational 2: Grappling’s Most Lucrative Tournament
Enjoying the controversial effects his announcements have on the BJJ world, and always taking digs at Gordon Ryan and the adcc, Craig Jones remains focused on his vision for the event, aiming to provide better financial opportunities for athletes and push the boundaries of the sport.
CJI 2 represents a bold new chapter in the world of grappling, combining the excitement of team competition with the allure of a substantial prize. As the event approaches, fans and competitors alike eagerly await what promises to be a historic and unforgettable tournament.
Breaking: Craig Jones Reveals CJI 2 Date and Issues Warning to BJJ Athletes
Breaking: Craig Jones Reveals CJI 2 Date and Issues Warning to BJJ Athletes


![Darce Choke Encyclopedia – Origins, Mechanics and Variations [2025] BJJ, choke, Brabo, BJJ Darce Choke, D'arce Choke, Darce BJJ Choke](https://bjj-world.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/JungPoirierLeeYahoo-218x150.jpg)





























UFC Commentator Laura Sanko Shows The Bread Cutter Submission
UFC commentator and BJJ brown belt Laura Sanko has once again showcased her grappling expertise by breaking down the bread cutter submission from mount. Known for her insightful fight analysis and as the first female color commentator in UFC history, Sanko’s instructional video has become a must-watch for grapplers looking to enhance their submission game.
Who is UFC Commentator Laura Sanko?
Laura is the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era, transitioning to the role after a successful career as an MMA fighter. She joined the UFC broadcast team in 2021 and has since been a beloved figure, known for her insightful analysis and engaging personality.
Born on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, she began her journey in combat sports inspired by the movie “The Karate Kid.” Laura initially pursued a career in business administration but eventually followed her passion for martial arts.
As a fighter, Laura ‘Fancy’ Sanko competed as an amateur and professional MMA fighter, making her professional debut in 2013 at Invicta FC 4, where she secured a victory via submission. Unfortunately, she did not extend her pro career past her first victory.
What is the Bread Cutter Submission?
In her recent instructional video, Sanko demonstrated the bread cutter submission, a technique that combines elements of the Ezekiel and key lock chokes. She uses the mount position to set it up, delivering a super-effective move without requiring excessive weight shifts which blocks bridge escapes as a threat.
How the Bread Cutter Submission Works
Sanko starts by explaining how she likes to set up the move starting from side control. “I start by isolating the arm and transitioning into the mount,” she said as she began in a knee-on-belly position with a crossface.
Before going to mount Laura makes sure she gets a wrist grip on the far arm side, using the mount transition to pass off the wrist to the arm that’s crossfacing. This creates a very uncomfortable position for the person at the bottom from the start.
All it takes for the submission to work is to thread your now free arm as if you’re looking to finish an Americana lock. Instead of going for a figure four grip, Laura Sanko places her arm across the neck, executing an Ezekiel choke of sorts.
For a finish, Laura goes as deep as possible with the arm across the neck, and then she leans forward as she pulls on the bent arm. The result is a weird combo of an Ezekiel choke and a shoulder lock.
Laura Sanko’s Key Details for Success
One key detail in Sanko’s breakdown was her focus on maintaining control throughout the process. “Make sure your legs are tight,” she emphasizes, explaining how keeping a solid base is essential for maintaining position and finishing the submission.
She also highlighted the importance of making a fist with teh arm that goes across the neck, which significantly increases the pressure applied in the choke.
Despite being a highly effective technique, Sanko pointed out that the bread cutter can be applied without necessarily transitioning into full mount.
“You don’t have to go all the way to mount. If you have enough pressure, you can still execute it while keeping your opponent flat on their back,” she said, demonstrating her ability to adapt the move to various situations.
Check out the full instructional video here:
Know Your Submissions: Bread Cutter vs Paper Cutter
The term “bread cutter’ usually refers to a choke in BJJ, which, I guess, is still applicable in this case. However, given that Laura’s desaturation is of a No-Gi move, I feel we need to make a clear distinction between two similarly named moves.
I am referring, of course, to the so-called ‘bread cutter’ or ‘paper cutter’ choke that’s done with the help of the Gi from side control. The main difference is this utilization of the Gi to trap the arm, as well as the finishing position, which is more of a side control than it is mount. The paper cutter also has no arm-locking effect involved in the execution.
I can also see the similarities, with both chokes working as air chokes, with an arm across the neck that pressures the trachea. Both chokes also feature a trapped arm as a precursor to the choke, although from different positions and using different means.
In order to be able to make a clear distinction between these two, I think that the Laura Sanko move is the ‘bread cutter’, and the good, old Gi version should only be known as the ‘paper cutter’ choke.
We Want More
After seeing this demonstration from UFC commentator Laura Sanko, we definitely want more. It is clear why she won her pro-MMA debut with a submission, as Sanko delivers an innovative and practical move that is perfect for No-Gi BJJ, and probably even MMA, depending on the gloves. Considering the level of detail in her iteration of the move, I know I’d go and grab a multi-part Laura Sanko grappling instructional. Wouldn’t you?