We are only seventeen days away from CJI 2, where we will see eight powerhouse teams compete for a $1,000,000 cash prize, but there has been a major shakeup.

Jiu-jitsu is a grueling sport, the competition season never ends, and injuries are common. Anyone that follows the pro competition scene closely knows that pullouts are a rather common occurrence, especially as events draw near. CJI 2 has just had one of its first major drop-outs of the event.

New Wave Athlete Drops Out of CJI 2

Big Dan Manasoiu announced on his Instagram that he was recently diagnosed with Lyme disease and he and John Danaher made the decision that he should not compete in the event. Here is part of what Big Dan had to say on his Instagram:

It's with a real heavy heart that I have to announce that I am out of the upcoming CJI... A couple weeks ago I got diagnosed with Lyme disease. I don't even know when I got it. But, I got the dreaded red ring with a bump in the middle and had all the symptoms of it... I tried everything to get better... I am fighting an uphill battle that I can't win in time to compete at CJI... I just want to say that I am sorry, and I wish that none of this ever happened.

You can watch the full video here to hear Big Dan's full statement and all of the steps he went through to get healthy in time to still compete at the event:

It is obvious that Big Dan is very heartbroken to have to pull out of the event, and I am sure the fans will also feel his absence. First and foremost, I want to wish Big Dan a speedy recovery. Lyme disease is no joke and it can often come with severe health complications. It sounds like Big Dan caught it early and will be able to overcome it, but we are wishing him all the best in his recovery.

Big Dan was slotted to be the +99kg representative for New Wave and is certainly an athlete that could make major waves in a Quintet style bracket. He is nearly impossible to submit and is one of the premiere submission hunters in the heavyweight division. This means that New Wave will now have to find a replacement with figurative and literal big shoes to fill.

John Danaher and Craig Jones dropped this video teasing that New Wave is looking for a replacement:

Who Could Potentially Replace Big Dan For New Wave?

With the second wild card spot being an option for all CJI teams, this really opens up the field for all kinds of potential athletes to step in. New Wave has already used one spot to bring in Mica Galvão. 

This may or may not be a coincidence, but Vagner Rocha recently announced on his Instagram that he has a major fight announcement coming soon.

We most recently saw Vagner compete against Kit Dale at WNO 29 and this match took place in the middleweight division. Vagner frequently competes in different divisions, from 77kg to 208lbs at IBJJF. But, stepping in as the +99kg representative for New Wave might be a tall order and could leave the team a bit exposed in the heavier matchups.

BUT, if New Wave was willing to do a bit of a weight class shuffle, I could see this working out. Here is what I am thinking:

Luke Griffith could bump up to the +99kg spot, Giancarlo Bodoni moves up to the -99kg spot, and then Vagner fills the vacant -88kg spot, with Mica Galvão and Dorian Olivarez remaining at -77kg and -66kg. 

The last time we saw Luke compete he took on Victor Hugo at WNO 27 in the heavyweight division, but only weighed in at 227lbs against Hugo's 272lbs. Coming in a bit lighter definitely played to Griffith's advantage as he was able to maintain cardio throughout the entire match and takeover in the late portion of the match to get the win. So even if he comes in on the lighter side of the +99kg athletes, he is still dangerous in the division.

Giancarlo Bodoni is obviously the current best -88kg grappler on the planet, becoming the first ever -88kg athlete to win back-to-back gold medals at the 2022 and 2024 ADCC World Championships. But, under this hypothetical it would allow him to come in a bit heavier without having to cut any weight. Meaning he could be harder to submit and healthier when he takes the mat at CJI.

Like I said though, Vagner's announcement could be unrelated. We will just have to wait and see who is announced as the next member joining team New Wave.

Looking for more information on CJI 2?

Find the full list of teams set to compete at CJI 2 right here.

Find a full explainer on the CJI 2 team formats here.

Find some of the potential high profile matches we could see at CJI 2 right here.

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