This article 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.
Magid Hage has just added his own name to the list of elite grapplers leaving ADCC 2024 in order to compete at the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational instead. He’s yet another great addition to the tournament, as Hage is known for his fast pace and exciting style. Hage was originally supposed to be competing in the under 77kg division at ADCC 2024, and he came in to that as a replacement for one of the other competitors who had already left for CJI. Now he will be moving up in weight slightly to enter the incredible lineup in the CJI under 80kg division.
It’s no surprise that Magid Hage has chosen to compete in the Craig Jones Invitational instead of ADCC 2024, given that there’s a million dollars on the line for the winner. He actually explained the reasons behind his decision in the initial announcement and although it was done in a tongue-in-cheek manner, it’s clear that the prize money was a factor. Hage also revealed that he prefers the ruleset in use at CJI and they are even willing to let him keep his trademark look of wearing a T-shirt instead of a rashguard in his matches.
To his credit, Hage did say that he thinks the brackets in both CJI and ADCC are going to be tough to win regardless. He’s not wrong either, as there would have been rematches waiting for him in either bracket. Both Andy Varela and Kade Ruotolo hold wins over Hage from matches they’ve had in recent years and Hage will no doubt be eager to get revenge. There’s plenty of other crazy new matchups waiting for Hage as well though, with top competitors like Lucas ‘Hulk’ Barbosa and Levi Jones-Leary competing at under 80kg as well.
The Craig Jones Invitational announced the news that Magid Hage had left ADCC 2024 to enter the under 80kg division in a recent post to their official Instagram account:
