TOMORROW! The inaugural Craig Jones Invitational(CJI 1) will be held live in Las Vegas and aired free on YouTube. To get you ready, we’ll give you a full breakdown of the rule set.
Check out the full CJI 1 rules below and how the matches will be judged.
CJI 1 Rules & Match Layout
The Craig Jones Invitational created its own unique rules for the event. They have blended elements from ADCC and MMA to make a unique format that is all their own.
Match Durations
CJI is using the pro-MMA style of match format for their tournament matches.
- 3 Rounds
- 5 Minutes Each
- 1-Minute Rest Between Rounds
CJI Finals Match Durations
The final matches of the two tournaments will be longer than those during the entry brackets.
- 5 Rounds
- 5 Minutes Each
- 5 Minute Overtime In Case Of A Draw On The Scorecards
10-Point Must System
Craig Jones also took from MMA the 10-point must-scoring system. After each round, the three present judges score who they felt won.
It was also announced that the Craig Jones Invitational will use open scoring. Fans and athletes will know how each round was scored after completion.
Hopefully, including open scoring will make the grapplers more aggressive and try to finish their fights.
Ways to Win
- Submission(Obviously)
- Judge’s Decision
Also, if a non-final match ends in a draw, the winner will be declared by who won the last round.
Legal Techniques
All chokes, joint locks, spinal compressions, and even full-nelsons will be allowed during the tournament. Slams will also be allowed, but only when attempting to escape a submission.
Illegal Techniques
- No Strikes
- Groin Grabs
- Eye Gouges
- Grabbing Opponent’s Clothes
- Oiling Body
Point Deductions & Penalties
CJI has also given their complete list of penalties that can lead to point deductions:
- Stalling
- Passivity
- Supine Guard Pull(Guard Pull Without Opponent Connection)
- Fleeing Guard Pulls
- Grabbing Top Of The Alley
Referees are permitted to deduct points from one or both competitors after giving a warning. For example, if an athlete is stalling and continues to stall after their warning, the ref can take a point.
The judges can also tell the ref if an athlete is doing something illegal. However, the referee has the final say and will decide if points will be deducted.
Judging Criteria
The judges at CJI 1 will be judging each match on these criteria:
- Initiating Action
- Near Submissions
- Dynamic Action
- Positional Control
Thoughts on the Craig Jones Invitational(CJI 1) Rule Set
CJI has created an interesting set of rules that could lead to more action. One of the most exciting parts of their rules is the open scoring.
The Craig Jones Invitational is putting more responsibility on the referees to enforce the rules and keep the action going. Hopefully, this will force the fighters to be more involved in determining the fight’s results rather than the judges.
Athletes will now know if they’re winning a fight, forcing them to keep the action going. They also won’t be able to stall and ride out a win if they’re ahead in fear of getting point deductions.
This is also great for fans as they’ll know who wins each match and not be surprised by a bad decision.
Then we can’t forget to mention the 1-minute break between each round. This extra rest will be a game changer for many athletes and enable them to keep pushing the action.
Are You Ready For CJI 1?
Jiu-Jitsu fans are hyped for the upcoming CJI 1 event going down this weekend in Las Vegas. You can check out the event live and free on YouTube.
Definitely watch if you want more eyes on the sport and want it to be more profitable for the athletes.
Bobby is martial artist for almost 20 years with a BJJ black belt under Professor Sergio Miranda. He is also a karate black and former combat sports athlete, who loves all things grappling.