Craig Jones has announced a substantial charitable contribution of $30,000 to 1800RESPECT, a crisis support service, representing 10% of revenue from his latest instructional video series “Octopus Guard 2.0” during its first 90 days of sales.
Jones confirmed the donation through social media, sharing that the instructional had generated approximately $300,000 in gross sales over a three to four week period. The contribution was coordinated with BJJ Fanatics and Mayra Wojcik, a social worker married to B team’s Chris Wojcik, who likely assisted in identifying an appropriate organization for the donation.
In his announcement, Jones thanked both BJJ Fanatics and Wojcik while promoting 1800RESPECT’s services. “Help is available. Speak with someone today,” Jones wrote, providing the organization’s contact information: ” Call 1800 737 732, or Text 0458 737 732.”
The timing of the charitable initiative coincides with Jones’s ongoing efforts to raise awareness about serious allegations within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community. The grappler has been actively working to assist authorities in locating Izaak Michell, a BJJ practitioner wanted by Texas law enforcement on serious charges.
Jones recently funded a mobile billboard campaign featuring Michell’s wanted poster, which patrols areas of New South Wales where the accused has reportedly been sighted. The Adelaide-born competitor, who won the ADCC Asia Trials, faces a warrant issued by Hays County authorities. Despite the active warrant, Michell is believed to be residing in a van along Australia’s east coast, with recent sightings in Ballina, Byron Bay, and Burleigh Heads.
Michell denies any wrongdoing and claims persecution within the BJJ community, the warrant is not enforceable in Australia, leaving him legally free but under public scrutiny. Texas authorities are considering a formal extradition request, a process that involves multiple U.S. legal offices and is expected to be lengthy. Police continue to urge Michell to surrender voluntarily while advising the public not to confront him, and sightings continue to be reported amid growing social media attention according to ABC Australia.
The success of Jones’s instructional sales highlights the economic reality for high-level grapplers. Instructional videos have become potentially the largest source of income for elite competitors, with many earning more from educational content than from competition winnings. This limited compensation structure for professional grapplers was one factor that motivated Jones to establish the Craig Jones Invitational, though the future of that event remains uncertain despite a third edition securing finance.
Jones’s decision to dedicate a significant portion of his instructional revenue to supporting those affected by assault demonstrates how a prominent figure in the martial arts community is taking active roles in addressing serious matters within their sport. The donation to 1800RESPECT, which provides 24-hour crisis support services, offers practical assistance to individuals seeking help.
Anyone with information about Michell’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact authorities through anonymous tip lines.
