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Tag: CJI 2

  • Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones Puts Chael Sonnen To Sleep Twice With Same Buggy Choke At CJI 2

    Craig Jones made quick work of Chael Sonnen.

    Sonnen stepped in on less than a week’s notice at Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) to replace Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson, but ended up being submitted twice by the same move.

    On Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, the former UFC multi-time title challenger opened their three-round clash with an early takedown on Jones, only to be ensnared in a vicious buggy choke that rendered him unconscious.

    “The Bad Guy” eventually shook off the cobwebs and agreed to run it back. Shooting for another takedown, Sonnen hunted a leg lock, an attack that offered no real threat against a grappler of Jones’ pedigree. The Australian jiu-jitsu ace quickly countered, locking in yet another buggy choke that once again sent Sonnen out cold.

    The crowd erupted in chants for more as Sonnen lobbied for a best-of-five, drawing laughter from referee John McCarthy. But the bout was waved off, and Jones was officially declared the winner with consecutive buggy chokes.

    Image: @cjiofficial/Instagram

    Following the event, Sonnen shrugged off the loss in trademark fashion on social media, joking that the contract was for a “3 out of 5” format and insisting he was simply relaxing in the position.

    What Happened When Craig Jones First Took On Chael Sonnen?

    The rivalry between Craig Jones and Chael Sonnen goes back to September 2017, when the future CJI founder stunned “The Bad Guy” with a slick heel hook finish in the prestigious ADCC Openweight tournament.

  • Chael Sonnen Steps In On Short Notice To Face Craig Jones At CJI 2 After Gable Steveson’s Withdrawal

    Chael Sonnen Steps In On Short Notice To Face Craig Jones At CJI 2 After Gable Steveson’s Withdrawal

    Chael Sonnen is reportedly making his return to the canvas.

    Earlier this week, Gable Steveson withdrew from his scheduled grappling showdown against Craig Jones in the main event of CJI 2 this Sunday at the Thomas & Mack Center, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, due to a turf toe injury.

    However, on Tuesday, Sonnen claimed on his YouTube channel that he had spoken with Jones and agreed to step in on short notice to face him this weekend, replacing the Olympic gold medalist.


    On Thursday, combat sports journalist Ariel Helwani verified the former UFC light heavyweight challenger’s claims, reporting that Sonnen will indeed face the Australian grappling star. Helwani noted that “The Bad Guy” will be undertaking a whirlwind schedule, calling the first Real American Freestyle Wrestling event in Cleveland on Saturday before hopping on an early Sunday flight to Las Vegas to compete at CJI 2 that same evening.

    Have Chael Sonnen And Craig Jones Competed Against Each Other Before?

    Chael Sonnen and Craig Jones have a history on the mats, dating back to September 2017 when the BJJ champion secured a heel hook submission over Sonnen at the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) Openweight tournament.

    Jones was last seen in action at CJI 1 in August 2024, submitting Gabi Garcia with a first-round rear-naked choke. His most recent defeat came in September 2022, when he narrowly lost on points to Kaynan Duarte at ADCC.

    Meanwhile, Sonnen last competed in an exhibition boxing match against longtime UFC rival Anderson Silva in June 2024, which ended in a draw. “The Bad Guy” retired from MMA with a professional record of 30-18-1, concluding his career with a knockout loss to Lyoto Machida at Bellator 222 in June 2019.

    OAKLAND, CA – AUGUST 07: Chael Sonnen punches Anderson Silva during the UFC Middleweight Championship bout at Oracle Arena on August 7, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)