The grappling world has been rocked in recent weeks by one of the most serious and controversial stories the no-gi scene has seen in a long time. Australian elite competitor Izaak Michell has gone from earning accolades on the mat to being at the center of a swirling storm of allegations, team expulsions, and public drama. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s been reported so far — and what’s verified versus what is still rumor.
1. Kingsway Drops Michell — But Says Almost Nothing
In mid-December 2025, Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, the high-profile academy co-founded by Gordon Ryan and John Danaher, announced that Izaak Michell is no longer training with or representing the team. The statement was brief, carefully worded, and included a note that the gym had been advised not to share further details. Comments on the announcement were disabled. Bjj Eastern Europe
This combination — a clean public split with legal silence — immediately sparked speculation and concern across social media and BJJ news circles.
2. Allegations: Multiple Women Reportedly Went to Police
In one of the first public insights into why Kingsway may have made such a drastic move, Nicky Ryan (on the Simple Man Podcast) stated that “multiple different women went to the police claiming (Michell) sexually assaulted them.” The podcast’s hosts connected this directly to Michell’s sudden expulsion from Kingsway. Bjj Eastern Europe
This allegation, while serious, has not been confirmed by law enforcement publicly and no official charges have yet been announced.
3. Michell’s Whereabouts and Thailand Trip
At the same time these stories were unfolding, Michell was competing in the ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials in Thailand — where he qualified for ADCC 2026. Several commentators speculated that his timing coincided with the controversy, with some saying he might be staying abroad because of it. Bjj Eastern Europe
As of the latest reports, he has since reportedly left Thailand and returned to Australia. Bjj Eastern Europe
4. Craig Jones’ Public Involvement
Craig Jones — former teammate and longtime figure in the same elite grappling scene — has been unusually vocal:
- He posted on social media encouraging victims to come forward and reach out.
- In Instagram stories, Jones stated he has heard “harrowing stories of at least 20 different women.” Bjj Eastern Europe
Most recently, an audio clip attributed to Michell surfaced in which Michell claims that Jones has been trying to influence the narrative and that Jones even “got my ex-wife’s number” and has someone following him. BJJDOC
These are explosive claims — but they remain unverified allegations made by an individual in an unconfirmed recording.
5. The Rumor Mill vs. Verified Information
It’s important to separate rumor from substantiated reporting:
Confirmed / Verified
- Michell has been removed from Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu. Bjj Eastern Europe
- Kingsway publicly stated they cannot share details. Bjj Eastern Europe
Reported / Secondary Sources
- Nicky Ryan said on a podcast that multiple women went to police. Bjj Eastern Europe
- Craig Jones has posted about victim support and warnings. Bjj Eastern Europe
- An audio attributed to Michell contains accusations against Jones. BJJDOC
Unverified / Rumor
- Reports that Michell is “hiding out” abroad. Bjj Eastern Europe
- Claims about how many women allegedly reported him. Reddit
Not officially confirmed
- Any criminal charges
- Any public police investigation details
- Any legal actions against Michell
No law enforcement agency, court document, or public prosecutor has confirmed details of charges or an ongoing prosecution at this time.
6. What Craig Jones Is Saying Publicly
According to reports, Craig Jones has explicitly urged Michell to return to the United States and speak with authorities, posting: “Return to the USA and speak to the police. Innocent people don’t run.” Bjj Eastern Europe
This represents one of the strongest public stances yet from anyone connected closely to the situation, going beyond ambiguity and into direct challenge.
7. What This Means for the BJJ Community
This situation has sparked intense debate on many fronts:
- Should elite athletes be subject to the same accountability as everyone else?
- How should teams handle internal allegations that could cross into criminal issues?
- What’s the balance between rumors and due process?
Many in the community are calling for transparency and careful, responsible reporting — both about Michell’s actions and about the people coming forward. Others stress that “innocent until proven guilty” remains a cornerstone of any justice system.
8. Bottom Line — It’s Still Ongoing
At the time of writing:
- Michell is no longer with Kingsway. Bjj Eastern Europe
- Serious allegations are circulating. Bjj Eastern Europe
- Craig Jones has publicly spoken about victim support and urged legal engagement. Bjj Eastern Europe
- No official charges or legal outcomes have been publicly documented.
This story is still unfolding, and it’s one the jiu-jitsu world is watching closely.
