Who Can Stop Craig Jones? His Most Dangerous Matchups

  Few names in modern no-gi grappling carry the weight of Craig Jones. The Australian black belt under Lachlan Giles has spent nearly a decade dismantling world-class opponents with innovative leg lock entries, suffocating positional control, and an uncanny ability to adapt across rule sets. With an 82% submission rate and victories over elite competitors […]

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The article delves into the challenging question of who can effectively stop Craig Jones, a dominant force in submission grappling widely recognized for his sophisticated leg lock system. It identifies several elite grapplers whose unique skill sets and strategic approaches could potentially neutralize Jones's strengths and pose a significant threat to his reign.

Among the top contenders discussed is Gordon Ryan, whose comprehensive game, encompassing strong wrestling, passing, and submission skills, is highlighted as a major challenge capable of countering Jones's leg attacks and imposing his own game. The article also points to Leandro Lo (RIP), noting his exceptional guard retention and scrambling ability, which historically made him incredibly difficult to submit, particularly from leg entanglements due to his dynamic movement.

Further potential threats include Kaynan Duarte, recognized for his powerful top game and wrestling, which could enable him to control Jones and prevent him from initiating his preferred leg lock entries. Similarly, Felipe Pena is cited for his defensive mastery, resilience, and well-rounded grappling prowess, making him a challenging opponent capable of escaping difficult positions and outlasting top-tier grapplers, presenting a formidable test for Jones.