Australian MMA fighter Craig Jones has ignited controversy in the combat sports world after forcibly kissing his Brazilian rival, Gabi Garcia, during a pre-fight event. The incident, which was captured on camera, occurred as the two Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialists faced off ahead of their scheduled match at the Craig Jones Invitational.
The altercation took place when Jones grabbed Garcia’s face and attempted to kiss her on the lips, an action that left Garcia visibly shocked. The Brazilian fighter, known for her dominance in the women’s division with 71 career wins, immediately pulled back and reprimanded Jones, calling him out for his disrespectful behavior. “You’re a b***h, man. Really?” Garcia exclaimed, following up with, “F**k you, you crossed the line.”
In response to the incident, Jones initially announced on social media that the fight had been cancelled, sarcastically claiming that “Brazilians can’t take a joke.” However, Garcia quickly corrected the record, confirming that the fight was still on, and both fighters later affirmed the bout’s continuation on their respective social media platforms.
The incident has sparked widespread discussion, not just about the boundaries of behavior in the competitive world of MMA but also about gender respect in sports. Garcia, who stands at 6ft 3 inches and competes as a heavyweight, has faced additional scrutiny unrelated to the incident, with baseless online speculations about her gender. Such rumors, often rooted in misogyny, are part of a broader trend known as “transvestigating,” where female athletes are unfairly accused of being transgender.
As the fight approaches, all eyes will be on the octagon, but the controversy surrounding Jones’ actions will likely linger long after the final bell.
