Felipe Pena, widely regarded as one of the premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes in the world, has publicly expressed his strong desire to participate in the upcoming Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2). With his proven ability to compete at both under and over 99kg weight classes, Pena would be a formidable addition to any team. His recent triumph in the over 99kg division at ADCC 2024, where he secured three submissions in four matches, solidified his reputation as a top-tier competitor.
Why Felipe Pena Wants to Join CJI 2
Last year, Pena opted to compete at ADCC rather than CJI due to a scheduling conflict, but with no ADCC event in 2025, he is now free to pursue a place at CJI 2. Speaking about his ambitions, Pena stated:
“I definitely want to compete, of course. It’s like probably the biggest event of the year. There’s no ADCC this year.”
Pena is particularly interested in whether Gracie Barra, his home team, will secure one of the remaining slots at CJI 2. If not, he remains eligible for selection by ‘Team Misfits Americas’ or could even be drafted as a wildcard by another team, given his elite status and versatility.
Breakdown of the New CJI 2 Format
The 2025 Craig Jones Invitational marks a significant evolution in professional grappling, shifting from an individual bracket system to an innovative team-based format inspired by the Japanese Quintet events. Here’s what competitors and fans can expect:
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Team Structure: Eight teams, each representing a major gym or syndicate, will compete. Each team consists of five athletes, one for each of the five ADCC weight classes: -66kg, -77kg, -88kg, -99kg, and +99kg.
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Prize Pool: Teams will vie for a record-breaking $1 million prize pool, the largest in professional grappling history.
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Official Partnership: CJI 2 has partnered with Quintet, bringing their acclaimed team-based, winner-stays-on format to the event. This collaboration is expected to deliver fast-paced, high-stakes action.
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Venue and Dates: The event will be held at the Thomas & Mack Centre in Las Vegas, Nevada, on 30th and 31st August 2025, coinciding with other major jiu-jitsu events in the city.
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Confirmed Teams: So far, 10th Planet, B-Team, New Wave, ATOS, CHECKMAT, and Gracie Barra have been announced, with two more teams yet to be confirmed.
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Wildcard Draft: Each team is permitted to draft one wildcard competitor, allowing for strategic selections and the inclusion of standout athletes like Pena, even if their primary team is not represented.
CJI 2 Competition Rules and Format
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Match Structure: Matches will be held in a Karate Combat-style “pit” with raised walls, designed to encourage action and reduce referee intervention.
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Rounds and Scoring:
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Regular matches: Three rounds of five minutes, with one-minute rests.
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Finals: Five rounds of five minutes, with overtime if needed. Scoring follows an MMA-style 10-point must system per round.
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Legal Techniques: All chokes (except using the hand to close the windpipe), all joint locks, can openers, twisters, and full nelsons are permitted.
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Illegal Techniques: No striking, spiking, eye gouging, hair pulling, or use of slippery substances, among other restrictions.
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Team Progression: The team format follows the Quintet system, where the winner of each match stays on to face the next opponent from the opposing team, continuing until one team is eliminated.
Why CJI 2 Stands Out
Pena highlighted that the CJI 2 format will feature 40 of the world’s best grapplers, offering a scale and level of competition unmatched by other events:
“CJI in this format, they can bring together I think it’s eight teams right? Eight teams and five athletes each team, I think. So imagine that’s 40 athletes, like the best 40 athletes in the world. It’s a different format… That’s like 10 guys, 10 top fights. On the CJI, it will be like 40, so that definitely brings a lot of attention.”
Conclusion
With its innovative team-based format, substantial prize pool, and the inclusion of elite athletes like Felipe Pena, CJI 2 is set to become one of the most anticipated grappling events of 2025. The new Quintet-inspired rules promise to deliver a dynamic and engaging spectacle for both competitors and fans alike.