- Craig Jones Invitational event held over the weekend
- Reportedly sold out 20,000-seat venue in Los Angeles
Australian Craig Jones has been criticized for his victory over Gabi Garcia in their controversial mixed martial arts match on Saturday. However, one fan of the fighting team is calling him a hero for fighting for better pay for his fighters.
Jones, who won two silver medals at the world wrestling championships, defeated Garcia by choke in the second round of their match in Las Vegas.
The fight was reportedly nearly canceled when Jones forcibly kissed Garcia without her consent during their weigh-in, prompting her to scream, chase after her rival and yell at him, “You’re a b***h, man. Craig, really? F**k you. You crossed the line, crossed the line, crossed the line.”
The event, dubbed the Craig Jones Invitational, featured multiple matches. The winners of two tournaments held during the two-day event each received $1 million in prize money, while other fighters won $10,000 each.
His victory over Garcia, a six-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion, is now considered one of the most-watched events in wrestling history. The Invitational reportedly sold out the 20,000-seat Thomas & Mack Center on its second night of competition.
Dr. Meriem Bensalem-Owen, a combat sports enthusiast, professor of neurology and president of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, was very complimentary of Jones in a tweet he posted during the event.
‘Craig Jones is the HERO that BJJ athletes need! Better pay for all participants and [bags of money emojis] for the winners! And Gabi Garcia is the GOAT!’ she wrote.
Dr. Bensalem-Owen was referring to the amounts fighters were paid while competing in the Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission World Fighting Championship. According to the organization’s official website, a total of $US230,600 was paid out this year.
Famed martial artist Craig Jones is seen choking Gabi Garcia during the wrestling event he hosted in Los Angeles on Saturday
Garcia (pictured) is a six-time Brazilian jiu-jitsu world champion
Jones was hailed a hero by a top doctor (pictured) for paying out huge sums of money to the fighters at the event, especially compared to their usual prize money.
The highest salary a fighter received per person was $40,000.
Jones announced the Invitational by dropping $1 million in cash on Joe Rogan’s desk during a podcast recording in May.
The UFC commentator was stunned and admitted he had never seen so much money.
“I’ve never seen a million dollars in one place! I’ve never seen a check for a million dollars,” he said.
Bensalem-Owen was thrilled with what she saw at the tournament, but others were outraged by Jones’ display in beating Garcia.
“You mean to say men can get a trophy for hitting women? I thought that was against the law? I wonder how the guy would do against a guy the same size?” someone wrote on X.
The reactions to the kiss at weigh-in were more intense.
“You can’t just sexually abuse someone ‘for fun,’” one commenter wrote.
“Sexual harassment is not a joke. Because if we accept this as a joke now, everyone will think it’s okay to do this. He needs to apologize,” another added.
Jones shocked UFC commentator Joe Rogan when he deposited $1 million on his desk in May while announcing the Invitational
The Aussie was accused of sexually harassing Garcia by forcibly kissing her without her consent during their pre-match weigh-in
Garcia sent Jones a shocking message after the fight.
“I really want to express my gratitude and love for you @craigjonesbjj!” she posted on social media.
“This month you have worked hard and changed the sport! I hope people get the chance to know you one day!
‘You [sic] You are an incredible person! Really! Funny and now one of my best friends! I am proud of you! You [sic] made!!
‘Thank you for giving me the chance to make another dream come true!
‘I’ve been waiting a lifetime for this moment and it only happened because of you! From my heart love and respect!’