This article on potential matchups is part of our Craig Jones Invitational 2024 coverage. To get live results, play by play, and commentary, we’ll have a live updates article running all weekend.
The Craig Jones Invitational 2024 is scheduled for August 16th and 17th, 2024 and as the date fast approaches, fans are busy thinking up their dream matchups for the event. The full brackets have been drawn for both divisions and both of the superfights have been set, so fans already know some of the matches that they’re going to see. Every match is going to feature two of the best grapplers in the world battling it out and the ruleset is designed to encourage as much action as possible. Even if every match is amazing, some will be more entertaining than others and these are the 5 matchups that we’re most looking forward to.
Click here to see the full competitor list for the Craig Jones Invitational 2024.
5 Matchups We Can’t Wait To See At The Craig Jones Invitational 2024
Ffion Davies vs Mackenzie Dern
This is one of two superfights taking place at the Craig Jones Invitational 2024 and it’s also one of the most interesting matchups at the event. Ffion Davies has been one of the best female BJJ competitors in the world for a while now, but the last two years have seen her hit a whole new level. Mackenzie Dern held a similar position as one of the biggest names in the sport until she left to focus on her MMA career in 2017, just one year before Davies was promoted to black belt. Craig Jones has done a fantastic job as a matchmaker here, booking one of the biggest battles imaginable.
Chance of Happening: Guaranteed
Under 80kg Division
Click here to see our full preview of the under 80kg division.
Eoghan O’Flanagan vs Levi Jones-Leary
On a technical level, this is one of the most interesting potential matchups at the Craig Jones Invitational 2024. Eoghan O’Flanagan is an incredible leglocker and Levi Jones-Leary is probably the top no gi berimbolo expert in the world right now. That clash of styles will make for some crazy counter exchanges, or it might force one of these men to adopt a completely different game that we don’t often see from them. The only problem is that O’Flanagan and Jones-Leary are on opposite sides of the bracket and they would both need to overcome the odds and beat 3 elite grapplers in order to meet in the final.
Chance of Happening: Very Slim
Roberto Jimenez vs Kade Ruotolo 4
Roberto Jimenez and Kade Ruotolo have a ton of history, as both men were top prospects at the same time and have hit the highest level at the same time too. They first met in 2020 and Jimenez won their first two matches by submission, but Ruotolo got revenge at ADCC 2022 when he pulled one back and submitted Jimenez in return. They are on opposite sides of the bracket but they are both among the favorites, so they may well find themselves meeting in the final. That would give Ruotolo a chance to level the score and the fact that Jimenez would likely have to beat Tye Ruotolo to make it to the final makes it even more interesting.
Chance of Happening: Decent
Over 80kg Division
Click here to see our full preview of the over 80kg division.
Daniel Greg Kerkvliet vs William Tackett
William Tackett is undoubtedly going to be the smallest man in the over 80kg division at the Craig Jones Invitational 2024 and there’s plenty of tough matchups waiting for him. One of the most interesting is against Daniel Greg Kerkvliet, the NCAA Division I wrestling champion who will probably be the biggest man in the division. The size difference alone makes this a fun match but it’s also interesting to see how Kerkvliet adapts to the submission threat of someone as technical as Tackett. Fans could see this match in the second round, but Tackett will have to beat Joao Gabriel Rocha and Kerkvliet will have to beat Fellipe Andrew first.
Chance of Happening: Slightly Unlikely
Nicky Rodriguez vs Owen Livesey 2
This is another rematch and the first match between Nicky Rodriguez and Owen Livesey was hotly-anticipated enough. Both men are among the best standing grapplers in the BJJ world and their first meeting at Quintet 4 ended in a draw. That match was fun but it could have been a lot better, as a little too much disengaging and when going off the mat edge slowed the action. With the pit walls in play and a heavy focus on penalising stalling at the Craig Jones Invitational 2024, this could be one of the most entertaining matchups in BJJ history from a standing grappling perspective.
Chance of Happening: Pretty Likely
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