We preview the talent-laden -80kg division at the inaugural CJI, set to go down in Las Vegas on August 16-17.
The inaugural Craig Jones Invitational (CJI), with its $1 million prize per division, has understandably drawn together much of the top talent in no-gi grappling. To that end, the -80kg division looks to be the most talent-stacked bracket the sport has ever seen.
With 2022 ADCC world champion Kade Ruotolo leading the way, the division is loaded with decorated world champions, surging stars, and many of the planet’s most technical grapplers.
Before we dive into the favorites, contenders, and dark horses of the division, check out the bracket and full lineup of athletes below.
-80kg
Andrew Tackett
Jozef Chen
Nicky Ryan
Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa
Eoghan O’Flanagan
Matheus Diniz
Renato Canuto
Levi Jones-Leary
Tommy Langaker
Jason Nolf
Andy Varela
Kade Ruotolo
Tye Ruotolo
Roberto Jimenez
Kenta Iwamoto
Magid Hage
Favorites: Tye Ruotolo, Kade Ruotolo, Roberto Jimenez
In a division this packed with top grapplers, it’s difficult to narrow down the favorites to just three. With that said, both Ruotolo brothers, as well as IBJJF no-gi world champion Roberto Jimenez, stand out as athletes the most likely to make it deep into the tournament if not win it all.
For many fans and pundits alike, Tye Ruotolo is the bracket’s top favorite. The reigning ONE welterweight submission grappling world champion pushes a torrid pace that few men can match and possesses dangerous submission skills in all areas of grappling. The 21-year-old is both an explosive athlete and master technician who tends to do his best work from the top position where he is a threat with his trademark d’arce choke and underrated guard passing.
With recent victories over top competitors Izaak Michell and Jozef Chen, Ruotolo looks to be in the finest shape of his still-young career.
Ruotolo’s twin brother, Kade Ruotolo, is just as much of a favorite. He enjoyed a historic, all-submission run at the 2022 ADCC World Championships to establish himself as a true pound-for-pound powerhouse. And with victories over the likes of Francisco Lo and Tommy Langaker, he remains one of the sport’s top athletes in any division. Unlike his brother, Kade is a more spontaneous submission hunter, often happy to jump on an attack at the risk of losing position.
Finally, Ecuador’s Roberto Jimenez is one man who should be able to contend with the Ruotolo brothers. While he was originally slated to compete in the 99kg division at ADCC 2024, he has dropped considerable weight to make 80kg – meaning he will be one of the division’s more physically imposing athletes. A hyper-aggressive grappler with a seemingly endless gas tank, Jimenez might be the sport’s best back-taker. If he can get past his first-round matchup against Levi Jones-Leary, fans can likely look forward to a showdown between Tye Ruotolo and Jimenez in the second round. The winner of that will have a clear path to the final.
Contenders: Andrew Tackett, Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa, Jozef Chen
Rising young talent Andrew Tackett has looked practically unbeatable over the past year, and given his draw in the bracket, he stands to make it deep and prove himself to be a pound-for-pound force. The Texas native puts a blistering pace on all of his opponents, working relentlessly on the feet before hunting the back on the mat. Tackett is a true workhorse who will likely excel in the CJI 15-minute matches.
Multiple-time ADCC medalist Lucas “Hulk” Barbosa will be another name to watch. The Atos representative will be massive for the weight class and has all the technical skills and elite experience to best any grappler in the division. His wrestling and physicality will set him apart from most competitors, and given his familiarity with the Ruotolo brothers, he could take out one of the young phenoms.
Also, B-Team product Jozef Chen could enjoy a statement-making weekend at CJI. A technical wizard who is widely recognized as one of the sport’s most promising young talents, Chen is strong in all areas of grappling but tends to do his best work when passing guard. Chen recently suffered a decision loss to Tye Ruotolo in ONE Championship, but he likely viewed that match as an opportunity for information gathering.
Dark Horses: Levi Jones-Leary, Nicky Ryan, Tommy Langaker
Realistically, almost any grappler in this bracket has the skills to make it to the final, so finding a true dark horse is difficult.
Berimbolo specialist Levi Jones-Leary is still relatively new to the elite no-gi scene, but with victories over Jozef Chen and Jeremy Skinner, he’s proven himself to be a world-class competitor. Jones-Leary’s first-round matchup against Roberto Jimenez pits two of the sport’s best back-takers against each other and has fireworks written all over it.
At just 23 years old, Nicky Ryan is already an established veteran of the sport. The B-Team product is widely regarded as one of BJJ’s top technicians, boasting world-class skills in all areas of grappling. In ADCC competition, Ryan’s gas tank has often failed him. But, with round breaks built into the CJI ruleset, his endurance might not be as much of a liability. His first-round contest against Andrew Tackett is likely the most anticipated of the event.
Finally, IBJJF no-gi world champion Tommy Langaker is a threat against any grappler in the bracket. Since his transition from gi to no-gi, Langaker has shined with his top-notch berimbolo and back-taking game, as well as an ever-evolving leg lock game. Despite back-to-back losses to Kade Ruotolo in ONE Championship, Langaker shouldn’t be counted out. His first-round clash against Renato Canuto is a rematch of the pair’s action-packed 2022 contest in ONE that saw Langaker win by decision.
How to watch: The inaugural CJI takes place on August 16-17 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and will air live and free on the B-Team’s YouTube Channel.
