Craig Jones submits Chael Sonnen in quick CJI 2 superfight in Las Vegas

Craig Jones submitted Chael Sonnen twice in quick succession to headline the Craig Jones Invitational 2 on Sunday night at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas, capping a two-day event built around a $1 million Quintet-style team tournament and a $100,000 four-woman bracket. Sonnen had stepped in on very short notice after Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson withdrew days earlier, according to event organizers and media reports.

Steveson’s withdrawal was variously described by outlets as a toe injury, turf toe or trench toe; event officials confirmed only that he was forced to pull out because of an injury. Jones, the event promoter and the sport’s most visible showman, moved quickly to lock in a new headliner, and Sonnen’s surprise return to grappling became the focal point of a card that was streamed free on YouTube after Jones said he turned down a seven-figure offer for exclusive rights.

Sonnen, a three-time UFC title challenger, acknowledged the improvised nature of the matchup in interviews leading up to the event. On a FloGrappling appearance he teased acceptance of the callout, and on social media he posted a video saying the card had “finally got interesting.” He...