The highly anticipated grappling superfight between Olympic wrestling gold medalist Gable Steveson and Brazilian jiu-jitsu star Craig Jones is officially off.
Steveson has withdrawn from the main event of Craig Jones Invitational 2, scheduled for August 30 and 31 at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas. According to the promotion, the reason cited was a turf toe injury, though Steveson’s camp has yet to directly confirm the diagnosis.
The cancellation comes just days before the two-day event, leaving uncertainty around whether Jones will still compete. The match carried extra weight, as it was expected to be Jones’ final professional competition before stepping away from BJJ.
Craig Jones Responds
Craig Jones, who was set to headline his own promotion against Steveson, announced the news with a jab on Instagram.
Gable out. Sorry guys.
He later poked fun at Steveson’s withdrawal by quoting legendary wrestling coach Dan Gable:
Once you’ve wrestled, everything else in life is easy… except a hangnail.
For Jones, the bout was meant to be a farewell moment before retiring from professional competition and leaving the B-Team Jiu-Jitsu gym behind. Now, with Steveson out, the future of his final match remains unclear.
Gable Steveson Turns Toward MMA
The timing of Steveson’s withdrawal has fueled speculation, as the 2020 Olympic gold medalist is scheduled to make his MMA debut just 12 days later. He is set to face Braden Peterson at LFA 217 on September 12 at Mystic Lake Casino Hotel in Prior Lake, Minnesota.
Steveson, who enjoyed a decorated collegiate career with two NCAA national titles, five All-American honors, and two Dan Hodge Trophy wins, recently ended a stint in WWE’s developmental system before being released in 2024.
Now, his full focus appears to be shifting toward mixed martial arts, raising questions about whether the CJI withdrawal was purely due to injury or a strategic decision to protect his debut.
Conspiracy Theories and UFC Tension
The situation has not been without controversy. CJI commentator Alex Wendling suggested that Steveson’s withdrawal could be linked to the UFC’s growing rivalry with CJI, hinting at possible behind-the-scenes maneuvering. Wendling, who works for CJI, posted in a story:
It’s a sad thing when a lad can’t keep his word. Very interesting timing to get an MMA offer from recent ‘playful rival’ UFC’s feeder promotion.
Craig Jones himself has been openly critical of the UFC’s grappling branch, now known as UFC BJJ, accusing it of copying CJI’s pit design and ruleset while locking athletes into what he calls exploitative deals. Jones previously revealed that he turned down offers to compete exclusively for the UFC, framing his promotion as an alternative platform for grapplers.
Whether Steveson’s MMA signing with LFA, a promotion often seen as a UFC pipeline influenced his withdrawal remains speculative, but the timing has not gone unnoticed.
What’s Next for Craig Jones and CJI 2
Despite losing its headline match, CJI 2 still boasts a major attraction in its $1,000,000 team tournament, featuring some of the best grapplers in the world. The event was expected to showcase Jones’ farewell bout, but whether he seeks a short-notice replacement remains uncertain.
For Jones, whose outspoken personality and promotional savvy helped make CJI a notable alternative in the grappling world, Gable Steveson’s absence is a frustrating twist to what could have been a landmark sendoff.
Also read: Gable Steveson MMA Debut Set for LFA 217
