KASAI Elite Grappling Championships today announces a blockbuster superfight for KASAI Pro 3 as Craig Jones meets Rousimar Palhares on Saturday, August 18. 

Jones, the ‘Breakthrough Grappler of the Year’ in our 2017 FloGrappling awards, returns to KASAI for the third time. Most recently, he placed third in KASAI’s World Middleweight Championship tournament at ‘KASAI Pro 2’ in April. 

Craig Jones

A black belt under Lachlan Giles, the 26-year-old is a four-time IBJJF Pan-Pacific Champion and ADCC breakout star. He has already earned several prominent victories in 2018, including submissions over Jake Shields and Richie Martinez.

Palhares, 38, is an MMA fighter and UFC veteran known for his explosive movement and aggressive ground game. ‘Toquinho’ has earned 12 victories by way of leg-lock submission in his professional MMA career. As a grappler, the BJJ black belt took second place in the 2011 ADCC championships at 194lbs (88kg).

“KASAI prides itself on hosting matchups that combine dynamic action with compelling storylines,” said Rich Byrne, KASAI CEO. “In Jones versus Palhares, we think we have landed a must-see superfight that that has all of the ingredients that fans could ever hope for.”

In addition to feature main-card matchups, ‘KASAI Pro 3’ will also showcase an eight-man no-gi tournament at 170lbs (77.1kg) to crown the first-ever KASAI World Welterweight Champion. Among those already confirmed for title contention are KASAI World Lightweight Champion Renato Canuto, Marcin Held, and KASAI Pro Qualifier winner, Matheus Lutes.

Watch KASAI Pro 3 LIVE or On Demand on FloGrappling

When: Aug 18 | Where: New York City

Watch: KASAI Pro 2 highlight