ADCC should not allow Izaak Michell to compete while he has an active arrest warrant in Texas on one count of second-degree sexual assault.

Texas police have issued an arrest warrant for Australian jiu-jitsu athlete Izaak Michell on one count of second-degree sexual assault. This petition is not about deciding guilt online or replacing the legal process. However, athletes, spectators, staff, women in the sport, and survivors deserve to know that serious allegations and active warrants are treated with transparency and care by major sporting organisations.

Allowing someone in this position to compete at ADCC sends a dangerous message to women, survivors, athletes, spectators, staff, and the wider grappling community. It suggests that elite status and popularity are being placed above safety, accountability, and basic safeguarding standards.

ADCC is one of the biggest organisations in grappling. Its decisions set a standard for the sport. If ADCC allows an athlete with an active sexual assault arrest warrant to compete, it normalises silence around serious allegations and makes the sport feel unsafe for the people who already face the greatest risk of being ignored.

We are calling on ADCC to:

• Not allow Izaak Michell to compete while he has an active arrest warrant for second-degree sexual assault.
• Publicly confirm that athletes with active warrants for serious offences are not eligible to compete.
• Create a clear safeguarding policy for cases involving sexual assault, domestic violence, abuse, active warrants, or other serious misconduct.
• Prioritise the safety of athletes, staff, spectators, women, and survivors over competitive status.

Jiu-jitsu should not protect people from accountability due to perceived talent. ADCC must take this seriously and make it clear that an active sexual assault arrest warrant is incompatible with competing on one of the sport’s biggest stages.