Fighter ‘crosses the line’ with act towards female opponent before submitting her in first-ever mixed-sex jiu jitsu fight

The face-off before a big fight night doesn't usually start off with one competitor lunging towards the other and kissing them, but that's exactly what happened ahead of Craig Jones' bout against jiu jitsu star Gabi Garcia.

The Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt competitor, 33, has come under fire after he shockingly grabbed the face of his 6ft 2ins rival, Gabi Garcia, and pulled her into a kiss on Thursday (15 August).

His 38-year-old competitor made it clear she did not find the stunt amusing and was filmed furiously pushing him away from her before chasing him across the room.

Garcia yelled: "Man. You're a b***h man. Craig, really? F*** you - you crossed the line, crossed the line, crossed the line."

Footage of the bizarre face-off subsequently went viral and social media users were all in agreement that Jones' stunt was completely out of order - whether it was just a tactic to unsettle his opponent or not.

The fighter, who is the head of B Team Jiu-Jitsu which trains in Austin, Texas, then took to social media himself to announce that Garcia had seemingly pulled out of the the first-ever mixed-sex jiu jitsu clash.

Adding more fuel to the fire, he wrote: "Fight's cancelled. I guess Brazilians can't take a joke."

However, the 6ft grappler then performed a dramatic U-turn and declared that the fight at the 'Craig Jones Invitational' this weekend in Las Vegas was 'back on'.

The event featured several matches and the winners of the two tournaments held were promised $1million in prize money, while the other fighters reportedly earned $10,000.

Heavyweight Garcia - a member of the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation who boasts 71 career wins in the women’s division - decided to take on light heavyweight Jones due to their similar size and stature.

A lot of people had their money on her to win, due to the fact she was fighting with a vengeance after the controversial kiss earlier this week, as well as the fact that she is taller and heavier - weighing 107kg, while Jones is 93kg.

But the Aussie managed to defeat Garcia after he locked her into submission and dominated the jiu jitsu bout from the opening bell, before ultimately forcing her to tap out when he got her in a rear-naked choke.

Reports claim Jones was met by a chorus of boos after bagging the win in Vegas, but Garcia wasn't a sore loser.

Instead, she was seen on her knees bowing her head on the mat in a sign of respect towards Jones, before the Brazilian star heaped praise on him in an online post.

Garcia shared an Instagram story alongside the words: "I really want to express my gratitude and love for you @craigjonesbjj! This months you worked hard and change the sport! I hope one day people have the chance to know you!

"U [sic] are an incredible person! Genuine! Funny and one of my best friends now! I'm proud of you! U [sic] made!!"

Garcia continued: "Thanks for giving me the opportunity to make one more dream come true! I wait one life for this moment and only happened because you! From my heart love and respect!"

Speaking of her clash at the Craig Jones Invitational, the fighter said she 'wanted to cry' because of all the support she received and to hear the crowd chanting her name.

"I want to cry because I see all this," Garcia said. "Guys, thank you everybody for coming here.

"Thank you Craig for what he did for the sport. It's amazing. The thing for me is you guys because when we die the medal and the plates don't go with me, but I will be alive in all of you guys and I think, never fight for a medal, fight for what you love and what you believe.

"I believe our sport can be bigger than ever and today I win this match because everybody, people can say 'it's a joke' or they don't agree. I call it self-respect because I do what I want and I don't give a f*** about nothing.

"For everyone who thought that the show wouldn't happen and made jokes about us, motherf****rs! I've competed in ADCC for 18 years and today was the day that my brother died and this was for you brother, for my mum, my dad, my family and for you guys...look at this here, this is my other family."

Jones shared a series of posts too following the bout which also applauded Garcia, including one which was captioned: "There were no losers in this epic match!"