F*ck Craig Jones

When it comes to the top grapplers in No Gi submission only BJJ, Craig Jones is at the top of the food chain. 

The roughly 195 pound Australian grappler made a name for himself as the 205 pound Polaris champion in 2018 and Polaris 185 pound champion in 2018 and 2019 as well as the second place winner in the 88 kilogram bracket at ADCC in 2019.

Craig Jones hails from Adelaide, South Australia. Born in 1991, Jones was always active in physical sports such as Australian rules football and basketball.

In his teens, Jones developed an interest in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) competition and set his eyes on becoming a UFC fighter.

He joined his cousin Matt Jones’ BJJ academy in 2006, called ISOHEALTH. Jones began making a name for himself in the Australian grappling circuit at the lower ranks.

As a purple belt, Craig Jones began training under Lachlan Giles at Absolute MMA in Melbourne, Australia. At this point, Craig Jones’ career as a grappler began really taking off.

In 2015, Jones won the IBJJF No Gi world championship as a purple belt and was promoted to brown belt under Lachlan Giles. 

Jones’ began teaching under Lachlan Giles and a year later in 2016 was promoted to black belt by Giles.

At the same time, Jones graduated with a degree in behavioral science.

Craig Jones is known for his well-developed bottom game, with many of his wins coming by submission from the bottom position.

His top submissions are the inside heel hook followed by the rear naked choke, with 41 out of his 50 wins as a professional grappler coming by way of submission.

In 2020, Craig Jones made a serious highlight reel in Submission Underground 13 when he caught Vinny Magalhaes with a deep heel hook. Magalhaes did not tap and attempted to battle out the submission. Unfortunately, his foot twisted a full 180 degrees and he suffered devastating damage to his knee.

Towards the end of 2020, Jones announced he would be moving to Puerto Rico along with No Gi legends Gordon Ryan, Nicky Ryan, and John Danaher to train at their new facility on the island.

Already one of the world’s top No Gi competitors, we will likely see Jones’ skill continue to increase and his competitive career flourish even more as he trains with the elite of the elite in Puerto Rico.

As of June 2021 Craig Jones is on a 6 win superfight streak with 5 wins coming by way of submission.