Craig Jones Expects A High Paced Match Against Diniz

Craig Jones is known as one of the most exciting new generation of grapplers on the scene today. So when his last super-fight versus the indomitable Rousimar Palhares was a bit of a dud even he was left scratching his head in confusion. 

"All I know is I wasn't able to secure any entries on him." Craig Jones said after the match "I couldn't elevate, I couldn't push him back, I couldn't get a grip on an arm. I don't know what his strategy was but it was an entirely different Palhares than we've seen in the past." 

Clearly frustrated with the result of the match, the Aussie grappler wasted no time in lining up his next super-fight, taking a match with decorated grappler Matheus Diniz from Marcelo Garcia Academy. 

The match will take place across the Atlantic ocean in Liverpool, England at GrappleFest 2 and will feature a twenty minute submission-only ruleset. Historically Craig has done very well in the submission-only ruleset while Diniz is considered more of a point fighter by most. 

Diniz is a very aggressive opponent who's submission game is not to be taken lightly and after the Palhares match Jones welcomes the change of styles.

I think Matheus is going to be much more aggressive with his passing. Obviously he's dangerous everywhere but I won't have the same threat in terms of leg locks on top. I just think his passing will be a whole lot better.

Both grapplers are among the elite in the heavyweight divisions. In the FloGrappling rankings Jones comes in as the #9 medium-heavyweight in the World while Diniz comes in at #5 without the gi and #7 in the gi.

It's rare we see two surging grapplers meet each other for the first time at the peak of their success but nonetheless GrappleFest has put together a match that we all can't wait to see. 

GrappleFest 2 features a total of 24 matches, with 12 prelims and 12 main card matches and takes place on September 15, 2018. Watch it LIVE or On Demand on FloGrappling.