BJJ legend Renzo Gracie recently shared his thoughts on the rivalry between ADCC and the brand new tournament, the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI). It’s pretty much the biggest topic in the BJJ world right now so it would obviously be something he’d have an opinion on. He’s also one of the few people able to give an experienced perspective as well, as Renzo Gracie is a member of the ADCC Hall of Fame. He isn’t the only ADCC Hall of Fame member to open up about the rivalry though, and in fact he isn’t even the only one in his family to do so.
Just recently, Roger Gracie also gave his take on the rivalry in an interview with Raphaella Amorim and now Renzo has done the same. Although the two elite BJJ competitors have a lot in common, they have some slight differences of opinion on the topic. Renzo Gracie was far more positive about CJI taking on ADCC directly, and he seemed happy about the situation:
“I will tell you the truth; I am in favor of Jiu-Jitsu, so let them make this sport grow.”
He went on to explain some of the positives behind the rivalry between ADCC and CJI, and why he’s more positive about it:
“They are bringing the attention it deserved from this, of this fantastic sport and amazing athletes participating in this competition.”
Amorim also asked him which of the two events he would compete in, if this was happening back when he was still an active competitor. It’s a real decision that dozens of elite grapplers have faced over the last few months, as both events will be taking place over the same weekend and in the same city. That’s not something that would stop Renzo though:
“Are you kidding?! If you told me they would be in the same city, I would fight both!”
Raphaella Amorim uploaded the interview with Renzo Gracie where he discusses the situation between ADCC and CJI in a post to her official Instagram account:
