Craig Jones has reversed his earlier pledge to match prize money for female athletes at ADCC 2026…

Citing concerns over the continued inclusion of Izaak Michell in the event lineup.

The decision comes just over a month after Jones publicly committed $48,000 to ensure equal pay between men’s and women’s divisions.

Jones made it clear that his decision is not financially driven.
And, having recently announced a $10 million prize pool for the next Craig Jones Invitational, it’s evident that the withdrawal is tied to principle rather than resources.

At the center of the issue is Michell’s continued eligibility for ADCC 2026.

After winning the under 77kg division at the ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials in 2025, he secured his place at the tournament.
However, events that followed have significantly complicated the situation.

Shortly after his qualification, Michell was removed from Kingsway Jiu-Jitsu under unclear circumstances, which sparked speculation.
That speculation escalated when Nicky Ryan revealed that multiple allegations of sexual assault had been made against Michell. Soon after, Hannah Griffith and Ariel Hayle publicly shared their accounts.

The situation intensified further when authorities issued an arrest warrant in Hays County, Texas, followed by reports of a second warrant.
According to Jones, Michell has remained outside the United States since then, avoiding arrest.

Despite the severity of the allegations and legal developments, ADCC has yet to release any official statement regarding Michell’s participation.
As things stand, he remains listed as a competitor for the 2026 event, which will take place in Poland – meaning he could theoretically compete without immediate legal consequences unless action is taken by the organizers.

This lack of response is what ultimately led Jones to withdraw his financial support:

Ladies competing in ADCC 2026, I’m deeply sorry but I guaranteed earlier in the year that I would match the pay of the men and women’s divisions.

Women are getting paid less than men in the ADCC.
I pledged $48,000 to match the pay, I am rescinding this.

Now why am I rescinding this? One of the competitors has an active open arrest warrant in Hays County for sexual assault.
February 26th, he received a second arrest warrant against a second individual.

ADCC are aware of this. I’ve been asking them, to no response, why on earth they would allow this individual to compete at their event.
To which I have no response, so I am rescinding my $48,000 offer.

I do not want to prop up an organization that doesn’t value women.

This isn’t virtue signalling like the majority of my audience is going to think.
This is a safety issue.

I really can’t understand how we’ve ended up here in this sport but I promise to you that $48,000… We will find a way to give back to the women of this sport.
Again, I cannot for the life of me understand why he sits on the ADCC active competitors list.

Somebody explain it.

 

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