Craig Jones: Jiu Jitsu, $2 Million Prize, CJI, ADCC, Ukraine & Trolling | Lex Fridman Podcast #439
Craig Jones is a legendary jiu jitsu personality, competitor, co-founder of B-Team, and organizer of the CJI tournament that offers over $2 million in prize money.
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep439-sb
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
*Transcript:*
https://lexfridman.com/craig-jones-2-transcript
*CONTACT LEX:*
*Feedback* – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
*AMA* – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
*Hiring* – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
*Other* – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact
*EPISODE LINKS:*
CJI tickets: https://lexfridman.com/cji
CJI on B-Team’s YouTube: https://youtube.com/bteamjiujitsu
Craig Jones’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/craigjonesbjj
Craig Jones’s Instructionals: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/craig-jones
B-Team’s Instagram: https://instagram.com/bteamjj/
B-Team’s Website: https://bteamjj.com/
*SPONSORS:*
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*OUTLINE:*
0:00 – Introduction
3:04 – $1 million in cash
5:08 – Kazakhstan
7:33 – Ukraine
39:42 – Bali
47:01 – CJI
58:04 – Gabi Garcia
1:00:58 – The Alley
1:16:08 – Gordon Ryan and Nicholas Meregali
1:23:01 – Trolling
1:25:49 – ADCC
1:36:02 – Training camp
1:47:45 – Breaking legs
1:48:27 – Advice for beginners
1:55:07 – Volk
2:04:09 – Future of jiu jitsu
2:07:16 – Steroids
2:10:44 – Hope
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@lexfridman
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: https://lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep439-sa
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 – Introduction
3:04 – $1 million in cash
5:08 – Kazakhstan
7:33 – Ukraine
39:42 – Bali
47:01 – CJI
58:04 – Gabi Garcia
1:00:58 – The Alley
1:16:08 – Gordon Ryan and Nicholas Meregali
1:23:01 – Trolling
1:25:49 – ADCC
1:36:02 – Training camp
1:47:45 – Breaking legs
1:48:27 – Advice for beginners
1:55:07 – Volk
2:04:09 – Future of jiu jitsu
2:07:16 – Steroids
2:10:44 – Hope
Transcript:
https://lexfridman.com/craig-jones-2-transcript
CONTACT LEX:
Feedback – give feedback to Lex: https://lexfridman.com/survey
AMA – submit questions, videos or call-in: https://lexfridman.com/ama
Hiring – join our team: https://lexfridman.com/hiring
Other – other ways to get in touch: https://lexfridman.com/contact
EPISODE LINKS:
CJI tickets: https://lexfridman.com/cji
CJI on B-Team's YouTube: https://youtube.com/bteamjiujitsu
Craig Jones's Instagram: https://instagram.com/craigjonesbjj
Craig Jones's Instructionals: https://bjjfanatics.com/collections/craig-jones
B-Team's Instagram: https://instagram.com/bteamjj/
B-Team's Website: https://bteamjj.com/
SPONSORS:
To support this podcast, check out our sponsors & get discounts:
Eight Sleep: Temp-controlled smart mattress.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/eight_sleep-ep439-sa
LMNT: Zero-sugar electrolyte drink mix.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/lmnt-ep439-sa
BetterHelp: Online therapy and counseling.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/betterhelp-ep439-sa
NetSuite: Business management software.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/netsuite-ep439-sa
Shopify: Sell stuff online.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/shopify-ep439-sa
ExpressVPN: Fast & secure VPN.
Go to https://lexfridman.com/s/expressvpn-ep439-sa
@pavellima5755
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
He was able to get to chernobyl plant because ukraine is rotten down corrupted state
@ScurvyMan129
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
After watching, I had to edit a few times and I like when Lex has a variety of guests – edit
@matthewgodfrey2569
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Wtf is a net?
@matthewgodfrey2569
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Craig Jones is my hero
@allisonbrady1364
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
crack jonesie
@LRG53
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
1:52:00
@LRG53
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
1:50:00
@beaubellamy2999
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
CJ is a hero to every man who ever slid into a dm. Seriously though, especially as more wrestlers enter the bjj space, using the boundary is a real strategy and limiting that with layout is really smart
@vicslav4030
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Complete lack of nuance from Craig here about the war and the wests involvement. But he’s a people pleaser he does the same thing with Palestine, takes the easiest most commonly accepted stance possible. Regardless of whether he understands the deeper matter or not.
@HipHopAn0n
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
1:44:24 I love this section
Really great stuff
Craig Jones is extremely intelligent
Great interview!
@tosch9057
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
It would be really great if you had him on again to look back at the event, and talk about CJI 2 coming up.
@martin.janicek
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
“I thrive in loosing environment” 😂
@TheVamp-Lestat
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
hmm..I never knew this dude existed. I'm a fan. Combat sports is notorious for low pay. CJI 2, August 2025 – get your tickets now.
@captainflexasaurus8318
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Happens to me all the time in Muay Thai. I am a bigger muscular guy and mannn some people want to spar hard and its like dawg i aint trying to get concussion. I kind of wish sparring was more light on the head, liver, and the kidney then legs that can take more of a beating thats fine. So many times Ive had to tell people take it easy especially the younger folks where the no pain no gain mentality its like bro that is so overrated. Awesome episode. Craig Jones is the man!
@BH-dsk
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
An aussie legend, that very few aussies are even aware of. Need more press here.
@shanegriffiths3441
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
One of the best things about craig, is his ability to tear someone to shreds with humour but at the same time still acknowledge their brilliance, while sounding and also being genuine in what he says.
@jonnymango5919
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
You can see Lex's empty vatnik brain unable to ask any real questions or make any human statements about Ukraine, just… "The patriot defence system is incredible, that's an incredible piece of technology, it's expensive." What a waste of space he is on planet earth.
@AlonzoCalPolyPomona
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Lex is interrogating Craig. You need help speaking to "normal" people
@jbird643
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
He kind of looks like paul Craig
@itsPanTatesnotPancakes-gp1jf
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Come get me
@itsPanTatesnotPancakes-gp1jf
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Yes I've said yes
@samscott9121
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Craig Jones is an awesome guy and guest.
Personally I find Lex a boring interviewer.
@imakimmy2
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Does Craig really compete anymore? Mr. Presidente – sponsor?
@Rebellion594
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
7:02 poor fucking horse 😂
@MacDonaldEdmund-t6o
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Perez Laura Lewis Joseph Wilson Steven
@BacoorNuclearPowerPlant
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
You look sexy ❤
@badluckchuck6669
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Just noticed the miniature Dean from Hell on the shelf. Nice! As if I couldn't love and respect this guy even more. Mad respect!
@stockob12
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Rogans podcast with Craig was so much worse than this
@stockob12
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Rogans podcast with Craig was so much worse than this
@chucknorrisffs
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
"..Especially a middle-aged man in underwear, with a beer belly doing a sundance….at dusk. That would frighten many people.."
Craig would be incredible as a stand-up comic lol
@kingkinit8120
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
This just hit me. It's the Sheik. It's the Sheik himself is funding cji.
@joeyv2083
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Craig Jonessiiieeee
@peterlion4246
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
I'm from Poland. I know how to flow roll 😅
@WalterWilliamse-i3s
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
Thomas Jennifer Lopez Jason Lewis Linda
@zoinksterbmx
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
lol 1:47:44 is not true…I am Polish and like to go easy! But when I feel that the other person is pushing in hard I push back.
@AseelShaq
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
The impossible is happening in Palestine all the time for decades..#FreePalestine #STOPtheGENOCIDE 🇵🇸
@LosMuebles
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
My admiration for Craig knows no bounds. Such a refreshing human being in 2024.
@marshad.9149
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
I miss Anthony Bourdain so damn much.
@killermonjero
June 27, 2026 at 2:21 am
I have zero interest in jujitsu, but this man is so entertaining.
@hayncoetzee2774
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
OKolook oil
@MichaelSmith-uf3qv
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
How is lex popular, worse interviewer
@michael2244
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
I thought it was Craig Jones from Slipknot =
@RobinLundqvist
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
Craig sure has a lot of anonymous friends
@maiazhelezniak
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
Great event! Changes jiu jitsu course forever. And big thanks for supporting Ukraine ❤
@ginger_king_1234
June 27, 2026 at 2:22 am
this was my 1st bjj event I've watched and it was fucking awesome nicky rod 4 rear nakeds to win million every match but maybe 2, definitely 1 where fire 🔥. fiona ssssmoked Makenzie dern fine ass I watched all 6 or 8 hrs on fri 😂😂😂 I want 1 a month drop winning to like 100,000 or 20,000 have like 5 classes do it once a month