BJJ stars Craig Jones and Mikey Musumeci came in a heated debate about exclusive contracts in their sport.
Earlier this year, Musumeci wrote history when he left one championship to sign an exclusive deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship as part of the latest expansion of promotion in the world of wrestling of submission.
However, not everyone is great in the idea that BJJ -athletes are exclusive to specific organizations. That includes Jones, the owner of the Craig Jones Invitational.
“I think exclusive contracts are actually bad for the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu because they suffocate competition and innovation,” Jones said during a Interview with Demetrious Johnson. “If athletes cannot compete where they want, you end with a monopoly that determines all the conditions. The athletes lose leverage, the fans get fewer matchups and the progression of the sport slows down drastically.
“Let’s really be, the UFC BJJ format actually took everything from CJI – the well, the lines network, even the marketing. I am not angry with it, but let’s call it what it is. If something works, people start copying, but giving credit matters. CJI made impact and everyone noticed.
“If we start to lock fighters in exclusive contracts, the sport will suffer in the long term. You will have athletes in organizations, not grow, not the best confronted. You want the best to fight the best – you want competition, and in martial arts you discover who is really number one.”
Musumeci defends his decision to sign with UFC BJJ
Musumeci, who was also present, offered some insight into his decision to sign at the UFC.
“For me it was signing with UFC BJJ about security, but also about growing with an organization that has a worldwide reach. I understand the criticism, but the possibility of bringing Jiu-Jitsu to new fans and public is huge. I believe the sport is growing, everyone wins-to-life, promoters and fans.”
Whose side are you on?
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