Izaak Michell‘s place at the 2026 ADCC World Championships has become one of the most controversial topics in submission grappling. Fans and media outlets spent months wondering whether Michell would quietly disappear from the competitor list following serious legal allegations. For a time, that appeared possible. FloGrappling removed him from its published roster without explanation, and the official ADCC invite list disappeared for roughly two months, fueling speculation that the organization was distancing itself from the controversy. Two days ago, however, the Polish promoters republished the official competitor list, and Michell’s name remained on it.
Craig Jones quickly responded.
The outspoken Australian grappling star took to social media with a direct criticism of the decision.
“Can someone explain to me why Izaak Michell, wanted, allegedly, for s*x offences in the United States, he’s getting a paid vacation to compete in Poland. And why that’s a tough decision to not allow him in the tournament.”
Jones continued by directing his criticism beyond the tournament organizers and toward companies associated with the event.
“Hey, sponsors, say something. Hey, streaming platforms, maybe say something. Hey, the promoter of the event, maybe say something. Because there’s a great likelihood that there’s a victim there.”
Jones’s comments come amid documented legal developments. Australian outlet 10 News Plus has reported that two arrest warrants have been issued for Izaak Michell. The first originated with the Hayes County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, where authorities are seeking Michell in connection with serious allegations. That warrant is accompanied by a wanted poster stating:
“Subject is a martial arts expert. Use caution.”
Authorities have also offered a $1,000 reward for information regarding his whereabouts.
A second warrant connected to allegations issued on February 25, 2026. Investigators stated their intention was to bring Michell into custody for questioning.
“There are allegations that they want to further investigate and as part of that they want to arrest Mr. Michell to be able to then question him.”
Michell has not been formally charged. International extradition issues have allowed him to remain in Australia, where he has reportedly been seen between Brisbane and Byron Bay. According to published reports, he has been turned away from several grappling academies in the region and has instead been training at Traditional Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Gold Coast. Michell has denied all allegations against him. Since news of the first warrant became public, additional women in Australia have reportedly come forward with allegations involving inappropriate conduct.
Against that backdrop, ADCC’s decision to retain Izaak Michell on the official roster for the September 12 and 13 World Championships at Tauron Arena in Kraków has prompted further scrutiny. The organization has not publicly explained why Michell remains on the competitor list, nor has it commented on why FloGrappling quietly removed his name from its own published roster. Ticket sales have also been lukewarm.
Flograppling staff addressed the list recently saying they ‘hoped’ Izaak would be out on a recent podcast.
The decision to republish the complete invite list after approximately two months without public updates has intensified discussion. To many observers, allowing the list to disappear before restoring it without addressing the controversy has created additional questions rather than providing clarity.
You’ll also notice that Mica Galvao, Diogo Reis, and Giancarlo Bodoni are all out of ADCC 2026, adding another hit to the already struggling competition.
Men -66 kg (out of 16)
Nikodem Mikuliszyn – (POL) – Europe Trials 1
Dorian Olivarez – (USA) – USA Trials 1
Ryoma Anraku – (JPN) – Asia Trials 1
Yigit Hanay – (TUR) – Europe Trials 2
David Mateus Santos – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 1
Kauã Gabriel – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Gianni Grippo – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Вekzat Kapashov – (KAZ) – Asia Trials 2
Fabricio Andrey – (BRA) – Invited
Jakub Wikłacz – (POL) – Invited
Kennedy Maciel – (BRA) – Invited
Diego Pato – (BRA) – Invited
Felipe Machado – (BRA) – Invited
Owen Jones – (GBR) – Invited
Dominic Mejia – (USA) – Invited
Joshua Cisneros – (USA) – Invited
Men -77 kg (out of 16)
Magomed Dzharbaev – (RUS) – Europe Trials 1
Jacob Bornemann – (USA) – USA Trials 1
Izaak Michell – (AUS) – Asia Trials 1
Nikolay Vetrov – (RUS) – Europe Trials 2
Julio Cesar Suzigan Martins – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 1
Alexandre De Jesus – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Michael Sainz – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Kaya Rudolph – (NZL) – Asia Trials 2
Mateusz Gamrot – (POL) – Invited
Mateusz Szczecinski – (POL) – Invited
Dante Leon – (CAN) – Invited
Vagner Rocha – (BRA) – Invited
PJ Barch – (USA) – Invited
Elijah Dorsey – (USA) – Invited
Tommy Langaker – (NOR) – Invited
Oliver Taza – (CAN) – Invited
Men -88 kg (out of 16)
Pawel Jaworski – (POL) – Europe Trials 1
Jonathan Blank – (USA) – USA Trials 1
Jozef Chen – (TWN) – Asia Trials 1
Marlon Tajik – (SWE) – Europe Trials 2
Franco Diaz – (PER) – Brazil Trials 1
Gustavo Batista – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Nathan Haddad – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Roberto Dib Frias – (AUS) – Asia Trials 2
Gabriel Brod – (BRA) – Invited
Jacob Rodriguez – (USA) – Invited
Santeri Lilius – (FIN) – Invited
Pedro Marinho – (BRA) – Invited
Matheus Diniz – (BRA) – Invited
Felipe Costa – (BRA) – Invited
Chris Wojcik – (USA) – Invited
Faris Ben-Lamkadem – (MAR) – Invited
Men -99 kg (out of 16)
Kaynan Duarte – (BRA) – ADCC 2024 Winner
Declan Moody – (GBR) – Europe Trials 1
Achilles Rocha – (USA) – USA Trials 1
Nicholas Maglicic – (AUS) – Asia Trials 1
Eoghan O’Flanagan – (GBR) – Europe Trials 2
Elioenai Julio Souza Braz – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 1
Vinicius Lessa – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Daniel Schuardt – (AUS) – Asia Trials 2
Adam Wardziński – (POL) – Invited
Roberto Abreu – (BRA) – Invited
Michael Pixley – (USA) – Invited
Marcin Maciulewicz – (POL) – Invited
Patrick Gaudio – (BRA) – Invited
Steffen Banta – (USA) – Invited
Javier Zaruski – (URU) – Invited
Luke Griffith – (ZAF) – Invited
Men +99 kg (out of 16)
Felipe Pena – (BRA) – ADCC 2024 Winner
Mark Macqueen – (SCO) – Europe Trials 1
Brandon Reed – (USA) – USA Trials 1
Tito John Carle – (AUS) – Asia Trials 1
Haisam Rida – (GHA) – Europe Trials 2
Roosevelt Sousa – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 1
Pedro Lucas – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Nick Hartman – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Belal Etiabari – (NZL) – Asia Trials 2
Daniel Manasoiu – (USA) – Invited
Josh Saunders – (AUS) – Invited
Pouya Rahmani – (IRN) – Invited
Victor Hugo – (BRA) – Invited
Ruslan Abdulaev – (RUS) – Invited
Francis Pana – (CAN) – Invited
Heikki Jussila – (FIN) – Invited
Women -55 kg (out of 8)
Adele Fornarino – (AUS) – ADCC 2024 Winner
Janette Gloger – (GER) – Europe Trials 2
Mayssa Bastos – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Sheliah Lindsey – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Kanae Ikeda – (JPN) – Asia Trials 2
Jasmine Rocha – (USA) – Invited
Anna Rodrigues – (BRA) – Invited
Ana Mayordomo – (USA) – Invited
Women -65 kg (out of 8)
Ana Carolina Vieira – (BRA) – ADCC 2024 Winner
Injana Goodman – (GBR) – Europe Trials 2
Livia Barasine – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Sarah Galvao – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Nadia Frankland – (AUS) – Asia Trials 2
Morgan Black – (USA) – Invited
Ane Svendsen – (NOR) – Invited
Joslyn Molina – (USA) – Invited
Women +65 kg (out of 8)
Rafaela Guedes – (BRA) – ADCC 2024 Winner
Anabel Lopez – (ESP) – Europe Trials 2
Yara Soares – (BRA) – Brazil Trials 2
Paige Ivette Borras – (USA) – USA Trials 2
Matilda Reid – (AUS) – Asia Trials 2
Gabi Garcia – (BRA) – Invited
Helena Crevar – (USA) – Invited
Nathiely De Jesus – (BRA) – Invited
Main Event
Kaynan Duarte – (BRA) – 2024 Absolute Winner
vs.
Yuri Simoes – (BRA) – 2024 Main Event Loser
