The Craig Jones Invitational 2 in Las Vegas delivered a bizarre but entertaining twist on Sunday night when former UFC star Chael Sonnen stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Gable Steveson. Sonnen, a two-time UFC title challenger, faced Jones in a special match scheduled for three five-minute rounds. What unfolded quickly became one of the more surreal grappling moments of 2025.
Sonnen Puts Himself in Danger
From the opening exchange, Sonnen used his wrestling instincts to take Jones down but immediately found himself in trouble. Jones locked up a buggy choke, a rare submission from the bottom. Sonnen was caught tight and appeared to briefly go to sleep before being revived.
The two agreed to continue, but the sequence repeated itself almost instantly. Sonnen again drove Jones to the mat, this time hunting for a leg lock. Jones calmly cinched up the same buggy choke, once again putting Sonnen out.
“Double Buggy Choke” Finish
As referee John McCarthy laughed and the crowd chanted for “one more,” Sonnen even suggested turning it into a best-of-five. But the referee waved it off, awarding Jones the official victory by submission (buggy choke x2).
Context
The matchup was put together after Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson withdrew from the event due to injury, frustrating Jones but leaving organizers scrambling. Sonnen, ever willing to step in on short notice, filled the gap giving fans an unexpected and comedic finish to the tournament.
For Jones, the win was yet another showcase of his creativity in grappling. For Sonnen, it was a reminder that even the toughest wrestlers are vulnerable in Jones’ world.
Nate Diaz Wants Back In: Eyes UFC’s White House Event as Prime Opportunity
Welcome to Dice City Sports — where we provide premium, exclusive, up-to-date news and analysis surrounding the Las Vegas sports scene. Follow along on social media, and check back for new articles daily!
Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
