The ninth edition of the UAE National MMA Championship is set to take place on July 11 and 12 at Shabab Al-Ahli Club in Dubai, with over 300 athletes from top clubs and academies across the UAE participating.
Key Opportunity Ahead of World Championships
The championship holds added significance as it occurs just weeks before the UAE National Team competes at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in August. This timing makes it a crucial platform for assessing athletes' technical, physical, and mental readiness while raising the overall level of competition.
Saturday's program will feature the Youth D (10-11 years), Youth C (12-13 years), and Youth B (14-15 years) divisions. Sunday's competitions will include the Youth A (16-17 years) and Adults (18 years and above) divisions.
Federation's Commitment to Development
Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, emphasized the importance of the event. "The ninth edition of the championship comes at an important time, just weeks before the UAE National Team competes at the IMMAF Youth World Championships in August. It gives our athletes a valuable opportunity to compete at a high level and assess their readiness ahead of one of the biggest events of the year," he said.
Al-Dhaheri added, "We are committed to providing a clear pathway for athlete development, from local competitions through to the international stage. This championship allows our technical staff to evaluate athletes' performances, build their confidence and prepare them for the challenges of competing against the world's best."
Growth of MMA in the UAE
Al-Dhaheri noted that the participation of more than 300 athletes reflects the continued growth of mixed martial arts across all age groups in the UAE. He reaffirmed the federation's commitment to youth development as the foundation for building national teams capable of competing internationally and raising the UAE flag on the world stage.
