Craig Jones is an Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under Lachlan Giles who worked extensively with coach John Danaher, being a big part of the famous Danaher Death Squad (DDS) competition team, led by Danaher during the late 2010s-to-early-2020s decades. Craig went on to represent the B-Team, a workgroup started by Jones alongside a few of his former DDS team members in 2021. An International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) World No-Gi Champion (2015 in purple belt division) and a 2x ADCC Trials champion, Craig Jones turned many heads his way at the 2017 ADCC finals by submitting the tournament’s 88-kilogram #1 seed, Leandro Lo. Jones would later cement his status as one of the best grapplers of his generation by winning numerous prestigious events, including multiple belt titles in the Polaris Invitational promotion.
Craig Jones Jiu-Jitsu
Full Name: Craig Benjamin Jones
Nickname: N/A
Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr > Jean Jacques Machado / Rigan Machado > John Will > John Simon > Lachlan Giles > Craig Jones
Main Achievements:
- Polaris 205 lbs Champion (2018)
- Polaris 185 lbs Champion (2018 / 2019)
- 2nd Place ADCC World Championship (2019 / 2022)
- 3rd Place EBI 11 Invitational (2017)
- 3rd Place Kasai 2 185lbs Grand Prix (2018)
- 3rd Place Kasai 5 205lbs Grand Prix (2019)
Main Achievements (Colored Belts):
- 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2015 purple)
- 1st Place AFBJJ Pan Pacific Championship (2014** purple)
- 1st Place ADCC Asian & Oceania Trials (2014 / 2016)
- 1st Place NAGA World Championship (2014 purple)
- 3rd Place UAEJJF Abu Dhabi Pro (2016 brown)
* Absolute
** Weight and absolute
Favorite Position/Technique: Open Guard
Weight Division: Meio Pesado (88,30 kg / 195.0 lbs)
Team/Association: Absolute MMA / B-Team
Craig Jones Biography
Craig Jones was born on July 17, 1991, in Adelaide, South Australia.
Growing up Jones was a very active kid, playing a variety of intensive sports such as Australian rules football and basketball while also briefly training in taekwondo and judo. His interest in rough playing activities was a sign of Craig’s frame of mind, as a teenager turned to mixed martial arts (MMA) and by the time of his 15th birthday dreamt of becoming an Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter.
With the UFC in his sight, Craig joined his cousin Matt Jones’ BJJ academy (2006), a gym called ISOHEALTH. It was under Matt’s guidance that Craig started making a name for himself in Australia’s national grappling circuit, before joining the Maromba Academy in Melbourne (later named Absolute MMA), as a purple belt, where his tuition was then picked up by Lachlan Giles.
In December 2015, after an epic performance at the IBJJF World No-Gi Championships, Jones earned his brown belt. It was also around this time that Craig became a regular BJJ instructor. One year later Lachlan Giles promoted Craig to black belt. Jones also worked extensively with John Danaher in New York City, at team Renzo Gracie, where he became one of the well-known coach’s most prominent students on the competitive scene.
While climbing the ranks of jiu-jitsu, competing regularly nationally and internationally, Craig Jones also managed to graduate with a degree in Behavioural Science (Psychology).
DANAHER DEATH SQUAD BREAK-UP
In July 2021, coach John Danaher announced the end of the Danaher Death Squad as a unified training and competition team, alluding to “the physical location of a future school, personality conflicts, conflicting values and an inevitable tension between the team brand and the growing individual brands of members” as the main factors for the split (original statement here).
Later that year, during the Summer months, Craig Jones announced his new team, one formed alongside a few of his DDS training partners, namely Nicky Ryan, Ethan Crelinsten, and Nicky Rodriguez. This new group was labeled the “B-Team” with its training base being set in Austin, Texas.
Craig Jones Grappling Record
-
BY POINTS
2 (3%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
0 (0%) -
BY SUBMISSION
51 (81%) -
BY DECISION
7 (11%) -
BY PENALTIES
0 (0%) - BY EBI/OT
3 (5%)
51 SUBMISSIONS WINS
-
BY POINTS
7 (37%) -
BY ADVANTAGES
0 (0%) -
BY SUBMISSION
3 (16%) -
BY DECISION
3 (16%) -
BY PENALTIES
2 (11%) - BY EBI/OT
4 (21%)
3 SUBMISSIONS LOSSES
Craig Jones Fight History
ID | Opponent | W/L | Method | Competition | Weight | Stage | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
12017 | Vagner RochaVagner Rocha | L | EBI/OT | EBI 11 | 77KG | SF | 2017 |
13888 | Keenan CorneliusKeenan Cornelius | L | Pts: 13x0 | ADCC | 88KG | SF | 2017 |
13890 | Alexandre RibeiroAlexandre Ribeiro | L | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | 88KG | 3RD | 2017 |
13935 | Gordon RyanGordon Ryan | L | Katagatame | ADCC | ABS | 4F | 2017 |
14553 | Gordon RyanGordon Ryan | L | EBI/OT | EBI 14 | ABS | F | 2017 |
14575 | Murilo SantanaMurilo Santana | L | Pts: 4x4, Pen | Kasai Pro | ABS | SPF | 2017 |
14698 | C. NegromonteC. Negromonte | L | Pts: 7x0 | NoGi Worlds | 85KG | 4F | 2017 |
15875 | Michael PerezMichael Perez | L | Pts: 3x2 | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
16751 | DJ JacksonDJ Jackson | L | Pts: 0x0, Pen | Boa Super 8 | ABS | F | 2018 |
16933 | DJ JacksonDJ Jackson | L | Referee Decision | Spider Inv. 4F | O76KG | SPF | 2018 |
17747 | Gordon RyanGordon Ryan | L | Short choke | Quintet 3 | ABS | F | 2018 |
19809 | Kaynan DuarteKaynan Duarte | L | Short choke | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
20877 | Matheus DinizMatheus Diniz | L | Points | Third Coast | 85KG | SPF | 2019 |
21913 | Matheus DinizMatheus Diniz | L | Pts: 2x0 | ADCC | 88KG | F | 2019 |
23861 | Mason FowlerMason Fowler | L | EBI/OT | SUG 16 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
23941 | Mason FowlerMason Fowler | L | EBI/OT | SUG 17 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
29817 | Sean Brady | L | Referee Decision | Fury Pro | 90KG | SPF | 2021 |
29854 | Pedro MarinhoPedro Marinho | L | Referee Decision | WNO 11 | 93KG | SPF | 2022 |
35118 | Kaynan DuarteKaynan Duarte | L | Pts: 12x0 | ADCC | 99KG | F | 2022 |
12012 | Nathan Orchard | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 11 | 77KG | R1 | 2017 |
12016 | Darragh OConaillDarragh OConaill | W | Kneebar | EBI 11 | 77KG | 4F | 2017 |
12985 | Micah Brakefield | W | RNC | SUG 4 | N/A | SPF | 2017 |
13877 | Leandro LoLeandro Lo | W | RNC | ADCC | 88KG | E1 | 2017 |
13885 | Murilo SantanaMurilo Santana | W | Flying triangle | ADCC | 88KG | 4F | 2017 |
13930 | Chael Sonnen | W | Outside heel hook | ADCC | ABS | E1 | 2017 |
14035 | Ben Egli | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 5 | 88KG | SPF | 2017 |
14219 | Bob Firas | W | Heel hook | Coffs Harbour Inv | ABS | SPF | 2017 |
14546 | Andy Burke | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | R1 | 2017 |
14550 | Marcel GoncalvesMarcel Goncalves | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | 4F | 2017 |
14552 | Tex JohnsonTex Johnson | W | Inside heel hook | EBI 14 | ABS | SF | 2017 |
15169 | Jake ShieldsJake Shields | W | Inside heel hook | Polaris 6 | 84KG | SPF | 2018 |
15830 | Mindas Verzbickas | W | Kneebar | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
15831 | Sergei Grecicho | D | --- | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
15840 | Marcos SouzaMarcos Souza | W | Kneebar | Quintet | ABS | RR | 2018 |
15870 | Nick CalvaneseNick Calvanese | W | Triangle | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
15872 | Dante LeonDante Leon | W | Pts: 2x0 | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | RR | 2018 |
15882 | Richie MartinezRichie Martinez | W | Inside heel hook | Kasai Pro 2 | 84KG | 3RD | 2018 |
16747 | Roberto Frias | W | Pts: 7x0 | Boa Super 8 | ABS | 4F | 2018 |
16750 | Ben Hodgkinson | W | Outside heel hook | Boa Super 8 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
17230 | Rousimar PalharesRousimar Palhares | W | Referee Decision | Kasai Pro 3 | ABS | SPF | 2018 |
17464 | Matheus DinizMatheus Diniz | W | Referee Decision | Grapple Fest | ABS | SPF | 2018 |
17742 | Richie MartinezRichie Martinez | W | Terra footlock | Quintet 3 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
17743 | Adam Sachnoff | W | RNC | Quintet 3 | ABS | SF | 2018 |
17746 | Antoine Jaoude | W | RNC | Quintet 3 | ABS | F | 2018 |
18522 | Keenan CorneliusKeenan Cornelius | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 8 | 93KG | SPF | 2018 |
19329 | Gabriel ArgesGabriel Arges | W | RNC | GrappleFest 4 | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
19479 | Tim SpriggsTim Spriggs | W | Inside heel hook | Grappling Ind. | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
19805 | Pedro MarinhoPedro Marinho | D | --- | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
19808 | Jon BlankJon Blank | W | RNC | Kasai 5 | 93KG | RR | 2019 |
19811 | Jackson SousaJackson Sousa | W | Terra footlock | Kasai 5 | 93KG | 3RD | 2019 |
20474 | Denis Hallman | W | Toe hold | SUG 8 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
20557 | M. Lutes | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 10 | 85KG | SPF | 2019 |
20751 | M. Perhavec | W | Inside heel hook | GrappleFest 5 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
20988 | Tex JohnsonTex Johnson | W | RNC | KASAI SS Florida | 92KG | SPF | 2019 |
21012 | Anthony Johnson | W | Inside heel hook | SUG 9 | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
21859 | Ben Dyson | W | Inside heel hook | ADCC | 88KG | R1 | 2019 |
21867 | Mason FowlerMason Fowler | W | Arm in guillotine | ADCC | 88KG | 4F | 2019 |
21910 | Jon BlankJon Blank | W | RNC | ADCC | 88KG | SF | 2019 |
22718 | Adam WardzinskiAdam Wardzinski | W | Reverse triangle | GrappleFest 7 | 100KG | SPF | 2019 |
22828 | Fredson PaixaoFredson Paixao | W | RNC | Quintet Ultra | ABS | SPF | 2019 |
22944 | Gilbert BurnsGilbert Burns | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 10 | 88KG | SPF | 2019 |
23751 | Kevin Casey | W | Outside heel hook | SUG 12 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
23752 | Vinny MagalhaesVinny Magalhaes | W | verbal tap | SUG 13 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
23768 | Vagner RochaVagner Rocha | W | EBI/OT | SUG 14 | 88KG | SPF | 2020 |
23824 | Gabriel Checco | W | EBI/OT | SUG 15 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
24110 | Roberto JimenezRoberto Jimenez | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 4 | 93KG | SPF | 2020 |
25027 | Brent Primus | W | RNC | SUG 19 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
25032 | Satoshi Ishii | W | RNC | SUG 20 | ABS | SPF | 2020 |
25207 | Ronaldo JuniorRonaldo Junior | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 6 | 88KG | SPF | 2021 |
26335 | Luiz PanzaLuiz Panza | W | Inside heel hook | WNO 9 | 92KG | SPF | 2021 |
26636 | Tye RuotoloTye Ruotolo | W | Referee Decision | WNO 10 | 90KG | SPF | 2021 |
28414 | Davi RamosDavi Ramos | W | Referee Decision | Polaris 17 | 85KG | SPF | 2021 |
33782 | Eldar Savidov | W | RNC | AIGA | ABS | SPF | 2022 |
35107 | Joao CostaJoao Costa | W | Violin armlock | ADCC | 99KG | R1 | 2022 |
35114 | Kyle BoehmKyle Boehm | W | Guillotine | ADCC | 99KG | 4F | 2022 |
35117 | Nicholas MeregaliNicholas Meregali | W | Referee Decision | ADCC | 99KG | SF | 2022 |
40910 | Felipe PenaFelipe Pena | W | EBI/OT | UFC FPI 4 | ABS | SPF | 2023 |
42737 | Gregor GracieGregor Gracie | D | --- | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
42740 | Richie MartinezRichie Martinez | W | Toe hold | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
42741 | Geo MartinezGeo Martinez | W | Triangle armlock | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
42742 | Kyle BoehmKyle Boehm | D | --- | Quintet 4 | ABS | NA | 2023 |
44640 | Gerald Meerschaert | W | RNC | Polaris 26 | 93KG | SPF | 2023 |
47467 | Rafael LovatoRafael Lovato | W | Inside heel hook | UFC FP6 | ABS | SPF | 2024 |
49011 | Rinat Fakhretdinov | W | Triangle | Karate Combat | NA | SPF | 2024 |
52395 | Phil Rowe | W | Triangle | Karate Kombat | NA | SPF | 2024 |
52398 | Gabrielle GarciaGabrielle Garcia | W | RNC | CJI | NA | SPF | 2024 |
Craig Jones Heel Hook Technique
Lachlan received his black belt from John Simon
His superfight with kit dale is missing from his record and his submission underground 4 superfight win as well.
Hi Jonathan, the match with Kit was a friendly roll. They were teammates and did not compete against each other. We will look into the SUG4 one. Thank you.
Craig Jones vs. Phil Rowe is missing