Victor Hugo has just been officially confirmed as the B-Team Jiu-Jitsu wildcard pick and he will now be representing them at over 99kg for the upcoming second edition of the Craig Jones Invitational (CJI 2). It’s a huge announcement for several reasons, as Hugo adds something special to both the tournament and the B-Team lineup in particular. He is one of the best heavyweight grapplers in the world and he’s a massive boost to the CJI 2 lineup both in star-power and in skill. There’s also a few interesting storylines that fans will be able to pay attention to both before the event and while it’s going on.
He was one of the biggest names to compete in the inaugural Craig Jones Invitational and he was one of the top contenders in the over 80kg division, but that all came crashing down in the very first round. Victor Hugo was submitted by Lucas Kanard in the most shocking upset of the whole year and now that he’s committed to CJI 2, he might just get a chance at revenge. Kanard has already agreed to represent Team Misfits Australasia at under 88kg, so Hugo may end up crossing paths with him again if the two teams meet in the tournament.
Hugo’s most recent appearance was a decision loss to Luke Griffith at WNO 27 and given that he will be on Team New Wave, there’s another chance for revenge for Hugo there too. Outside of potential rematches, another element to the story as well. Now that Hugo will now be competing as a member of B-Team, he will actually be working with his rival Nicky Rodriguez instead of against him. The two men have faced each other multiple times over the years and Hugo has won every single time, including a submission win at UFC Fight Pass Invitational 10. With Rodriguez and Hugo on the same team, they may well be the strongest pairing of heavyweights in the entire tournament.
Craig Jones announced that Victor Hugo was the B-Team wildcard competitor for CJI 2 in a recent post to his official Instagram account:
