Nicky Rod and Kade Ruotolo had been the celebrities of the inaugural version of the Craig Jones Invitational, taking dwelling $1 million every after profitable the over 80kg and below 80kg tournaments, respectively, at Saturday’s occasion on the Thomas and Mack Heart in Las Vegas.
Rod was one of many favorites to win the heavier division and easily gave his opponents no likelihood. The jiu-jitsu ace, who tapped Owen Livesey and Max Gimenis with rear-naked choke on Friday, made quick work of Adam Bradley within the semifinal match.
Fellipe Andrew made his strategy to the ultimate with robust choices over Daniel Kerkvliet and Joao Gabriel Rocha Friday, and proceeded to faucet Inacio Santos with a heel hook late in second spherical to advance.
Rod gave him no likelihood within the closing, although, taking his again and forcing him to faucet — once more with a rear-naked choke — simply 92 seconds into the match.
The inaugural CJI champion took the mic after the match to name out Gordon Ryan, who competed on the ADCC on the identical weekend in Las Vegas.
“The one factor higher than a million {dollars} is 2 million {dollars},” Rod mentioned. “So let’s do that: I desire a wager match. Mr. Gordon Ryan. As a result of I do know in my bones that I’m the precise finest grappler on the planet, so let’s do that bubba. My $1 million versus your $1 million, winner-take-all wager match. Come get some.”
The Ruotolo brothers, Kade and Tye, had been competing within the below 80kg division, and the $1 million prize went to Kade after three unimaginable wins and one hard-fought closing.
Ruotolo tapped adorned wrestler Jason Nolf with a kneebar in his first match after which received a call in opposition to Tommy Langaker on Friday, topping Andrew Tackett within the semifinal match. In the meantime, Levi Jones-Leary pressured Roberto Jimenez to surrender with an inside heel hook in his first match after which upset Tye Ruotolo through choice within the quarterfinals, incomes a spot within the closing with a call over Lucas Barbosa.
Kade had the possibility to avenge his brother within the $1 million closing, however needed to work arduous for it. A triangle choke try by Ruotolo within the first spherical was the very best transfer of the match, and the duo engaged in a tense contest within the closing three rounds. Ruotolo tried to alter kinds within the fifth by pulling guard, however went again to his earlier gameplan a minute later, once more working from prime place to earn a call win.
Craig Jones tapped Gabi Garcia within the inter-gender CJI superfight (watch right here), whereas Ffion Davies dominated Mackenzie Dern to win with a nasty armbar (watch right here).
