Craig Jones | Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Craig Jones is retiring from competition, and he hopes that means his beef with Gordon Ryan is put to bed as well.

The Brazilian jiu-jitsu stars have butted heads for years, trading shots on social media and in interviews, and going hold-for-hold on the mats. Ryan has submitted Jones multiple times, but their rivalry persists to this day. When Jones recently announced his retirement, Ryan responded with a social media post insulting Jones and his B-Team Jiu-Jitsu squad.

Jones addressed Ryan’s comments in an interview with Morning Kombat, explaining he’s not entirely sure why Ryan is taking issue with his decision.

“Gordon’s been on a tirade on the internet against me today,” Jones said. “As you can imagine, perfect grammar, perfect spelling, clear translation of the ideas he’s trying to get across. I refuse to read it until he learns how to use paragraphs, to be honest with you. I look for the CliffsNotes.

“Honestly, I don’t even know what he means half the time. I don’t know why he’s angry that I’m leaving his city. He’s got his gym now, I’m leaving. Take it.”

Beyond their in-competition clashes, Jones and Ryan have frequently been at odds personally, with Jones accusing Ryan of being a bully in the gym, and Ryan claiming Jones uses underhanded tactics to stay relevant in the BJJ scene.

Jones isn’t even sure what they’re still fighting about at this point, and he joked that he’s always been nice to Ryan.

“I don’t know what the beef is,” Jones said. “I’m trying to put the beef aside. Me and [Ryan coach] John Danaher, we’re homies again, we’re friends again. It’s just obviously Gordon still doesn’t like me. I don’t know why. I’ve been nothing but complimentary towards the man.”

Jones’ final fight is set to take place the weekend of Aug. 30-31, though he plans to stay heavily involved in the competitive grappling scene. Asked if thought there’s any chance Ryan might compete at a Craig Jones Invitational event, Jones thinks Ryan’s body might be too beat up to step back onto the mats even if he wanted to.

“Gordon, I don’t think would compete,” Jones said. “I think his health issues—I think truly he’s done this time. For enough money, for sure someone could lure him back in, but I think generally speaking, yeah, he’s out now. I don’t even entertain the conversation that John [Danaher] told me the same thing. John’s told me a few times he’s not coming back, but he comes back, but this time I do believe that Gordon’s out.”

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Well, we’re in the middle of fight week, and I’ve gotta be honest, don’t feel the buzz the last few have had. How is everyone feeling about the big weekend ahead?

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