CJI 2 finalizes ‘highest cash prize tournament in history of women’s grappling’

The second Craig Jones Invitational event (CJI 2) will host what is billed as the “highest paying women’s division in BJJ history” on August 30-31, 2025.

Three decorated champions were previously confirmed for the tournament: ADCC double gold medalist Adele Fornarino, ADCC champ and 6-time IBJJF world champ Ana Carolina Viera, and Polaris and WNO champion Helena Crevar.

The final competitor has since been revealed, completing the women’t bracket that will have four of the biggest female grapplers competing for $100,000.

Sarah Galvao added to CJI 2’s 4-woman, $100,000 tournament

The fourth and final spot in CJI 2’s four-woman tournament is a teenage phenom and second generation BJJ star.

“Sarah Galvao, she’s taking the fourth spot in the women’s bracket,” Craig Jones announced. “Some people think this opportunity comes too early for her, but the wild card nature of this event means we get to see the upcoming top prospects face off against opponents they might not ordinarily get to face.

“Sarah Galvao has been training under her father, the great Andre Galvao, all of her life. She just beat Helena (Crevar) in the gi, and Helena does not lose often. This is going to be a special event, to have Sarah Galvao included in the highest goddamn cash prize tournament in the history of women’s grappling.”

Sarah, the daughter of BJJ legend Andre Galvao, won gold at every single major IBJJF tournament in the last two years, before getting promoted to black belt last June. She most recently won double gold at both the IBJJF Asian Championships and American Nationals.

Galvao is also an Atos teammate and training partner of Adele Fornarino, which may mean they will be on opposite sides of the bracket. She also holds a recent win over Helena Crevar in the gi, and this CJI 2 tournament might just have these teenage grappling phenoms restart that rivalry and rematch in no gi.

Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC

CJI 2 $100,000 four-woman tournament line up

The CJI 2 women’s tournament will have two reigning ADCC champions and two teenage BJJ prodigies.

• Helena Crevar — Polaris and WNO Champion
• Adele Fornarino — 2024 ADCC double gold medalist
• Ana Carolina Vieira — 2024 ADCC Champion, 6x IBJJF World Champ
• Sarah Galvao — 2025 IBJJF Grand Slam Winner (Brown Belt)

For the latest Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) and grappling-related news click here.