The Trilogy Match: Craig Jones vs. Mason Fowler set for SUG 17

All eyes will be on “SUG Island” on August 30th as they just announced that the main event for SUG 17 will showcase the trilogy match between Craig Jones and Mason Fowler after the controversial “verbal tap” at SUG 16. This stoppage gave Jones his first loss in the Submission Underground cage and it crowned Fowler the first-ever Submission Underground Absolute Champion.

Submission Underground17 – August 30th on @UFCFightPass

The trilogy match of Craig Jones vs Mason Fowler#SUG #SUG17 #ufcfightpass #submissionunderground #SUGisland #chaelsonnen pic.twitter.com/OJeGpi618q

— Submission Underground (@SUG_Grappling) July 15, 2020

The Back Story

Jones and Fowler first met back at ADCC 2019 where Jones was able to come out with the win after a submission late in the match. A tough pill for Fowler to swallow but he would end up with his redemption shot after submitting Warren Brooks, Kody Steele, and Roberto Jimenez and winning the eight-man tournament at SUG 15, earning a match against Jones.

The rematch ended up heading into overtime and in the bottom half of the first round Fowler sunk in a neck crank causing Jones to make a bit of noise. Well, that bit of noise prompted the referee to stop the match as he took the groan from Jones to be a verbal tap, leaving the grappling world stunned.

Obviously, this outcome didn’t sit well with the newly crowned SUG champion and Fowler took to Instagram shortly after the match claiming he wasn’t satisfied with the win.

View this post on Instagram

Last night I got the match I’ve wanted since adcc. I had to go through some very tough guys for this opportunity and endure a difficult camp, in the end it was worth it. With that said although I’m leaving Portland with the belt, the win is not satisfying, and I feel the fans deserve more. Craig was kind enough to offer me another shot after our first match and I will happily do the same. Chael, let’s run this back. Craig see you on the next SUG. Let’s take the verbal tap rule out of the picture. #THETRILOGY #CTA

A post shared by Mason Fowler (@masonfowlermma) on Jul 13, 2020 at 2:18pm PDT

Craig Jones vs. Mason Fowler set for SUG 17

Well, it looks like Chael Sonnen saw the reaction of fans and other athletes after the controversial stoppage, and he is ready for the trilogy. SUG 17 will be headlined by Jones and Fowler, but wouldn’t it be nice if they made it no time limit or even a 10-minute match? I can’t be the only one that wants that to happen. But, don’t get your hopes up, I don’t think Sonnen will be changing up his ruleset any time soon, because you don’t fix something if it isn’t broken. Either way, grappling fans will be excited about the trilogy.

August 30th can’t come soon enough as this match is set to have all the fireworks. Make sure to follow along and keep up with all the action right here at MMASucka.