Craig Jones delivered a quick, decisive finish over Chael Sonnen in the main event of CJI 2 on Sunday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, with the bout streamed live on YouTube. The show also drew a surprise spectator in meme-rapper RiFF RAFF, adding to the crossover buzz surrounding the evening.
From the opening exchange, Jones showed why he’s considered a top jiu-jitsu threat. He offered Sonnen a straightforward takedown, and the former UFC title challenger accepted, landing in side control after a brief re-roll. Jones pivoted immediately to attack with a buggy choke, tightening the grip after a brief adjustment. Sonnen appeared to slip into unconsciousness as the submission was secured and released by Jones, who then waited for the action to restart.
The two went back to the mats for a quick rematch, but Jones was back in control almost instantly, locking in another buggy choke that ended the main event in short order. Sonnen, who had urged for a “best of three” format, didn’t get the chance to continue as the clock ran out on the evening’s agenda.
The event still delivered entertainment for fans, with Sonnen described as a pro wrestler at heart and Jones continuing to demonstrate a dangerous blend of wrestling and submission grappling. After the finish, chatter among the crowd even leaned toward a potential Gabi Garcia vs. Sonnen matchup, though nothing had been announced.
Summary and value adds:
– Result: Jones defeated Sonnen by submission in a brief main event.
– Context: The bout served as a showcase for Jones’s elite ground game in a crossover setting, while Sonnen filled the role of a high-profile challenger.
– Atmosphere: The Las Vegas crowd responded with appreciation for the quick finish and the spectacle of a crossover main event.
– Notable moment: RiFF RAFF’s attendance added a pop culture angle to the night.
– Look ahead: The quick finish keeps Jones in a strong position within the crossover circuit, and discussions around potential future matchups (including Sonnen’s ongoing wrestling crossover path) are likely to continue.
Possible added value for readers:
– A quick breakdown of the buggy choke as a finishing tool and why it can be effective against opponents with strong wrestling backgrounds.
– A note on how crossover events like this blend martial arts and pro-wrestling aesthetics to attract mainstream attention, potentially shaping future main-event dynamics.
If you’d like, I can add a brief post-event reactions section with quotes from fighters or promoters, or draft a compact viewer’s guide highlighting what this result means for Jones’s upcoming bouts and Sonnen’s ongoing crossover plans.