Craig Jones

What's been the hardest aspects of actually bringing this to life? The first one was people believing it was real. That was quite difficult. And then communicating with the athletes. That's basically my responsibility is securing these guys, getting these guys to commit to things. It's very difficult. There's a reason a few athletes in every sport really stand out.

And it's kind of professionalism and kind of the way they market themselves. And I think those two things do go hand in hand. So we're in a sport where there's not enough money, where a lot of these guys do have managers. I think in MMA, things would be a lot easier for the promoter because you're not talking directly to the athlete.

And it's kind of professionalism and kind of the way they market themselves. And I think those two things do go hand in hand. So we're in a sport where there's not enough money, where a lot of these guys do have managers. I think in MMA, things would be a lot easier for the promoter because you're not talking directly to the athlete.

And it's kind of professionalism and kind of the way they market themselves. And I think those two things do go hand in hand. So we're in a sport where there's not enough money, where a lot of these guys do have managers. I think in MMA, things would be a lot easier for the promoter because you're not talking directly to the athlete.

You're talking to a guy who might, who's obviously taking a cut, but like... There's a middleman. So in a situation where you're talking directly to the athlete, it can be very difficult. can be very annoying, can be very hard to reach these guys. They can be very noncommittal. That, for me, has been one of the biggest challenges. The guys that I speak to that are like, I'm in.

You're talking to a guy who might, who's obviously taking a cut, but like... There's a middleman. So in a situation where you're talking directly to the athlete, it can be very difficult. can be very annoying, can be very hard to reach these guys. They can be very noncommittal. That, for me, has been one of the biggest challenges. The guys that I speak to that are like, I'm in.

You're talking to a guy who might, who's obviously taking a cut, but like... There's a middleman. So in a situation where you're talking directly to the athlete, it can be very difficult. can be very annoying, can be very hard to reach these guys. They can be very noncommittal. That, for me, has been one of the biggest challenges. The guys that I speak to that are like, I'm in.

And they're like, I'm out. I'm in, like navigating this area. One other aspect is because we did this basically from idea to event will be less than three months, three and a half months. So it's like we're having to do so much in such a short period of time. Little things like of the show money we've given them, they're expected to basically secure their own flight and hotel to the event.

And they're like, I'm out. I'm in, like navigating this area. One other aspect is because we did this basically from idea to event will be less than three months, three and a half months. So it's like we're having to do so much in such a short period of time. Little things like of the show money we've given them, they're expected to basically secure their own flight and hotel to the event.

And they're like, I'm out. I'm in, like navigating this area. One other aspect is because we did this basically from idea to event will be less than three months, three and a half months. So it's like we're having to do so much in such a short period of time. Little things like of the show money we've given them, they're expected to basically secure their own flight and hotel to the event.

We're cutting down on staff. Cause that would be one of the, if I had to coordinate getting these guys flights, I would just jump off a building. Like it's, it's hard enough to get them to agree to the event. Let alone coordinate, hey, what date do you want to come in? It's like herding cats. So really just the interpersonal stuff's been difficult.

We're cutting down on staff. Cause that would be one of the, if I had to coordinate getting these guys flights, I would just jump off a building. Like it's, it's hard enough to get them to agree to the event. Let alone coordinate, hey, what date do you want to come in? It's like herding cats. So really just the interpersonal stuff's been difficult.

We're cutting down on staff. Cause that would be one of the, if I had to coordinate getting these guys flights, I would just jump off a building. Like it's, it's hard enough to get them to agree to the event. Let alone coordinate, hey, what date do you want to come in? It's like herding cats. So really just the interpersonal stuff's been difficult.

Obviously going up against ADCC, the legacy event has been pretty damn difficult as well. Well-established, huge history. They've been selling tickets for two years. Everyone's known it's been coming for two years. That thing was largely sold out before we even announced the event. So we're going head to head with this event. So from a ticket sales perspective, very difficult.

Obviously going up against ADCC, the legacy event has been pretty damn difficult as well. Well-established, huge history. They've been selling tickets for two years. Everyone's known it's been coming for two years. That thing was largely sold out before we even announced the event. So we're going head to head with this event. So from a ticket sales perspective, very difficult.

Obviously going up against ADCC, the legacy event has been pretty damn difficult as well. Well-established, huge history. They've been selling tickets for two years. Everyone's known it's been coming for two years. That thing was largely sold out before we even announced the event. So we're going head to head with this event. So from a ticket sales perspective, very difficult.

Oh, I mean, we can name names. I mean, obviously, Kynan, he was a semi-in, semi-out. His suggestion was actually to do a second and third place prize rather than a million. And I'm like, no, we want all or nothing. It's all or nothing here. That's a better spectacle, better entertainment. Yeah. Probably more injuries, but it's all or nothing. Miki Galvao, the one that got away. Yeah. That's sad.

Oh, I mean, we can name names. I mean, obviously, Kynan, he was a semi-in, semi-out. His suggestion was actually to do a second and third place prize rather than a million. And I'm like, no, we want all or nothing. It's all or nothing here. That's a better spectacle, better entertainment. Yeah. Probably more injuries, but it's all or nothing. Miki Galvao, the one that got away. Yeah. That's sad.

Oh, I mean, we can name names. I mean, obviously, Kynan, he was a semi-in, semi-out. His suggestion was actually to do a second and third place prize rather than a million. And I'm like, no, we want all or nothing. It's all or nothing here. That's a better spectacle, better entertainment. Yeah. Probably more injuries, but it's all or nothing. Miki Galvao, the one that got away. Yeah. That's sad.

But we got the Rotolos. The Rotolos, props to these kids, because Cade's the reigning champion. These are two of the best guys in the sport. Allegedly... were offered pretty significant show money to stay. But they hit me up and they said, hey, promise us one thing. We're on opposite sides of the brackets and we'll fight to the death in the final for the million. And we know, everyone knows that.