With the countdown to the Craig Jones Invitational 2 (CJI 2) ticking away, legendary coach John Danaher has officially pulled back the curtain on the first wave of competitors representing New Wave Jiu-Jitsu. The announcement marks New Wave as just the second team to confirm their lineup, following Team Misfits Australasia’s early reveal. But even as the anticipation builds for what could become one of the greatest BJJ tournaments in history, Danaher’s update carried a sobering reality for fans of the sport’s most dominant figure: Gordon Ryan won’t be competing.
A Blow to the Grappling World
“Gordon is very sick at this point, so I don’t believe he’ll be competing again,” Danaher revealed. The statement, brief but heavy, suggests that the health issues that have plagued Ryan in recent years may have reached a critical point. For a competitor long regarded as the face of modern no-gi grappling, the implications are enormous—not just for New Wave’s strategy, but for the competitive landscape of the entire event.
Also, let’s be honest, we all wanted to see Ryan at CJI 2, it would have been epic.
And Ryan isn’t the only high-profile name sitting this one out. Nicholas Meregali, another grappling powerhouse and former Danaher protégé, will also miss CJI 2 due to complications following multiple shoulder surgeries.
“His first shoulder surgery was not as successful as people were hoping for,” Danaher explained, “so he had to do a second shoulder surgery. He definitely won’t be ready in time.”
A New Era, A New Lineup
For the heavyweight slot, the choice is straightforward: Dan Manasoiu, the towering prospect known for his physicality and submission arsenal.
At 99kg, Luke Griffith fills the void without contest—New Wave’s sole contender in the division, but one with significant upside.
For the under 88kg category, Danaher named Giancarlo Bodoni, a standout grappler with a proven record and a cerebral style tailor-made for the CJI format.
The under-66 kg spot will go to Dorian Olivarez, a younger athlete with a dynamic and high-paced game. Danaher didn’t hesitate in his endorsement: “His particular style of Jiu-Jitsu is extremely well-suited to the CJI event.”
A Stacked Field at 77kg
It’s the under 77kg division that remains Danaher’s most difficult decision. With a glut of elite talent—Oliver Taza, Davis Asare, Izaak Michell, and Jason Nolf—competing for a single spot, Danaher hinted at a possible in-house solution.
“We’d have to have an internal trial in the gym,” he said. “All of them want to go.”
Looking Ahead
Danaher’s announcement brings clarity to New Wave’s early strategy for CJI 2, and it reveals that there is a changing of the guard within elite grappling. With Ryan and Meregali out, the torch is being passed, but can’t they live up to the name, facing some of the most elite grapplers in the world?
