Craig Jones has reportedly traveled to Phuket, Thailand, where he is actively searching for fellow countryman and jiu-jitsu competitor Izaak Michell, according to recent social media posts.
Jones posted multiple Instagram stories from Rawai, Phuket, explicitly stating he is
“Seeking current whereabouts”
of Michell and requesting
“any vic tims wanting to reach out.”
The posts included an image of Michell at Phuket Grappling Academy with overlaid text warning:
“DO NOT LET HIM NEAR WOMEN.”
This development follows the sudden expulsion of Michell from Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu, the academy operated by Gordon Ryan and John Danaher. Ryan‘s carefully constructed statement on social media announced:
“Izaak Michell is no longer training at or affiliated in any way with our gym. We have been advised that no further details should be made public at this time.”
The legal undertones of Ryan‘s announcement became more apparent when he added in a follow-up comment:
“We have also been asked to turn off comments so that rumors are not spread.”
Jones has positioned himself as a contact point for those affected, posting to his Instagram stories:
“Shout out to all the vic tims messaging me. New perpetrators being sent my way. Strength in numbers if you want to talk, you’re probably not the only (one).”
He also shared a link to ATXBelieves.org, an Austin-based organization providing support for individuals following unwanted intimate encounters, accompanied by the message:
“After an unwanted encounter, you have options. We believe you. You are NOT alone.”
In another post, Jones issued a stark warning to those who might be aware of wrongdoing but choose to remain silent:
“Also for those that know of crimes and aid the criminals in any way, or choose to ignore these for ‘training, I avoid drama’ Buckle the f**k up.”
The current situation represents a steep fall for Michell, who recently captured gold at the ADCC Asia Trials in the 170 lbs (77kg) division in Bangkok. Prior to his removal from Kingsway, he had been training alongside elite wrestlers at Penn State, including UFC competitor Bo Nickal and Jason Nolf.
This marks the second time Michell has been dismissed from a major training facility, having previously been removed from B Team under different circumstances. His relationship with Jones had already soured months earlier over what appeared to be a contractual dispute regarding visa sponsorship.
When questioned on Reddit three months before Craig Jones Invitational 2, Jones explained his decision to ban Michell from that competition:
“Izaak threatened to sue me over his visa I sponsored. I gave him time to find a new sponsor. I will never sign a contract with him again for any entity I own. It ain’t that deep.”
However, the current circumstances appear substantially more serious than previous professional disagreements. The involvement of what appears to be legal counsel or authorities, based on the language used by Ryan and Danaher, suggests the situation has escalated beyond internal gym politics.
Jones‘s decision to personally travel to Thailand to locate Michell underscores the gravity of the allegations and his determination to address them directly. His public appeals for information about Michell‘s location and his outreach to those who may have experienced harm signal a coordinated effort to hold the Australian grappler accountable.
The grappling community now waits for additional information as this situation continues to develop in real time.
