CJI2 Submission Trends: What Finishes Dominated at the Craig Jones Invitational 2

The Craig Jones Invitational 2 delivered more than just team bragging rights—it spotlighted which submission attacks remain sharpest at the highest level. With a $50,000 bonus for finishes on Day 2, many top athletes leaned into high-percentage submissions, and the results offer a map of what works when the stakes are high. Let’s break down the submissions that kept winning, why they succeeded, and what you should build into your game.

1. Rear-Naked Choke (RNC): The Classic Still Counts

Multiple major fights were won via rear-naked choke. For example, Giancarlo Bodoni submitted Gavin Corbe in the quarter-finals with a clean RNC. Nick Rodriguez also used the RNC against Brandon Reed. These are textbook examples: take the back, secure deep hooks, control the torso, and finish with choke compression and leverage.

2. Heel Hooks & Inside Heel Entries

Leg attacks continue to be dangerous—especially heel hooks. Kyle Boehm used an inside heel hook to finish Belal Etiabari. Taylor Pearman also caught Bodoni with a heel hook. What worked: precise leg position, control over the opponent’s posture, and baiting them into the leg exposure.

3. Ankle Locks & Straight Ankle Variations

Sometimes lower risk pays off. Belal Etiabari submitted Geo Martinez with an ankle lock in the quarterfinals. Helena Crevar finished Sarah Galvao in the women’s final with a straight ankle lock. These subs succeed when the defender’s base is compromised, the ankle is isolated cleanly, and entries are fast.

4. Armbars & Top Pressure Finishes

Armbar submissions are far from dead. In the semis, Felipe Pena passed into a dominant position and finished Luke Griffith with an armbar. Also, Giancarlo Bodoni’s armbar over Ronaldo Junior came from tight control and good grip work — stepping through, squeezing the angles, and not giving space.

5. Katagatame / Arm-Triangle Control

Victor Hugo scored two katagatomes in his semifinal matches. These subs come from top pressure — mounting side control or half, shoulder pressure, and cutting the angle off so the opponent has few escape options. The submission path is narrower but very reliable when you’re fluent in base control and transitions.

Key Takeaways: Why These Subs Worked

• Bonus incentive matters — the $50,000 reward encouraged athletes to push for finishes, changing match pacing.
• Matches often require securing positional dominance first — for example, RNC or katagatame were secured after control over hips and backs.
• Defenders frequently left openings from scrambling or trying to stall, which the attackers exploited.
• Leg submission attacks remain high risk but high reward — heel hooks, inside heel, etc., when set up by controlling posture and grip, worked beautifully.

LYNQ Closing Thought

Watching CJI2 confirms that at elite levels, classical and modern submissions coexist. RNCs, heel hooks, ankle locks, armbars, and katagatames are still among the most reliable. But it’s not just *what* you attack—it’s *when* and *how*. Position, pressure, and momentum win as much as technique.