Craig Jones Invitational 2: Victor Hugo, Nicky Rodriguez Lead B-Team to $1 Million Prize in Las Vegas
Craig Jones raised the stakes on day two of the Craig Jones Invitational 2 in Las Vegas, adding a $50,000 submission bonus to spark more action. That gamble paid off—especially for B-Team’s Victor Hugo, who pocketed an extra six figures in bonuses on top of the team’s massive $1 million payday for winning the Quintet-style showdown.
Hugo Powers B-Team Into the Final
The semifinal clash between B-Team and Team Australasia was defined by Hugo’s dominance. The five-time IBJJF world champion submitted Fabricio Andrey with an arm-triangle choke, then repeated the finish against Belal Etiabari—who remarkably chose to compete despite breaking his foot in the quarterfinals. Hugo’s efforts secured B-Team’s spot in the final and earned him $100,000 in bonuses before the championship even began.
New Wave Battles Through
On the other side of the bracket, New Wave advanced past Team Americas in the quarters and Atos in the semis. Luke Griffith delivered a rear-naked choke finish over Diego Pato but later tapped to Felipe Pena. Giancarlo Bodoni closed the show for New Wave with an armbar submission against Ronaldo Junior to lock in their place in the finals.
The Final: B-Team vs. New Wave
The final duel opened with Chris Wojcik (B-Team) against Mica Galvao (New Wave). The match ended in a double elimination after Wojcik survived Galvao’s late ankle lock attempt.
Hugo returned to face Vagner Rocha next. After two submissions in the semifinal, Hugo couldn’t find the finish this time, as Rocha once again displayed his trademark toughness and refused to tap.
The third match brought Ethan Crelinsten (B-Team) against Dorian Olivarez (New Wave) in an ADCC Trials rematch. Olivarez pushed the pace with heavy top control but couldn’t secure a finish, resulting in another stalemate.
With time running out and the duel still even, Giancarlo Bodoni stepped in against Jozef Chen, but that too ended without a submission.
The stage was set for the decider: Nicky Rodriguez vs. Luke Griffith. After a tense stand-up battle, Rodriguez finally secured a takedown and advanced to dominant positions, threatening with a north-south choke before transitioning to mount. Griffith escaped, but Rodriguez’s pressure left a lasting impression on the judges.
When the dust settled, the scorecards read 47-47 across the board. By tiebreaker rules, the final bout was decisive, and Rodriguez’s performance gave B-Team the edge—securing them the $1 million grand prize.
Helena Crevar Claims Historic Women’s Title
CJI also crowned its first-ever women’s $100,000 tournament champion. Rising star Helena Crevar shined under the spotlight, submitting Sarah Galvao—daughter of jiu-jitsu legend Andre Galvao—with a third-round straight ankle lock in the final.
Crevar’s path to victory included a hard-fought decision win over Adele Fornarino on Saturday, while Galvao advanced past Ana Carolina Vieira via decision. In the end, Crevar’s submission sealed her status as one of the brightest young talents in the sport—and earned her a life-changing six-figure check.
