Australian MMA fighter Craig Jones has come under fire for kissing his female opponent, Gabi Garcia, without her consent during a face-off before their intergender Jiu-Jitsu match at the “Craig Jones Invitational” in Las Vegas. The incident, which was captured on video and circulated widely on social media, shows Jones grabbing Garcia’s face and kissing her on the lips before running away laughing. Garcia, visibly shocked and angered by the act, responded by calling Jones out, saying, “You’re a bh, man. Really? Craig, really? F you. You crossed the line, crossed the line, crossed the line,” before slapping the camera away.
The kiss has sparked outrage online, with many labeling it as sexual harassment and questioning Jones’ behavior. Critics on social media have condemned the act, with some calling for fines or other repercussions for Jones. Garcia herself addressed the incident on her social media, expressing more anger about her head being hurt during the encounter than the kiss itself. She also used the situation to reflect on the nature of martial arts and public judgment, questioning why people continue to engage with what she described as a “circus.”
Initially, Jones claimed that the “super fight” with Garcia had been canceled, citing that “Brazilians can’t take a joke.” However, he later backtracked and confirmed that the match would proceed as planned. The fight is set to be contested over three five-minute rounds, with a winner being declared if either fighter lands a submission. If both make it to the end of the contest, judges will decide the victor.
