The sixth annual Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will run from Tuesday until Saturday at Zayed Sports City.
More than 2,500 of the best male, female and junior fighters from 71 countries will be competing..

Abdul Munam Al Hashemi, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, welcomed the competitors:

“Today is another proud and momentous occasion for the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation as we warmly welcome the greatest fighters in the world to Abu Dhabi, each here to stake a claim to what has undoubtedly become one of the most important titles in the sport.”

The world pro highlights will include the return of Marcus ‘Buchcha’ Almeida, the reigning black belt open heavyweight world champion, and female star Gabrielle Garcia, the reigning weight black belt champion, who are both back to defend their titles.

This year will bring some changes, all brown and black belt athletes will draw the brackets themselves, straight after making weight. The competitors will personally draw a random number out of a hat which will determine who they will face in their first match.

Local hopes are with UAE jiu-jitsu champions Faisal Fahad Al Ketbi (brown belt) and Shamsa Hassan (female blue belt). They will be competing alongside Yahya Al Hammadi (purple belt), Hassan Al Rumaithi (purple belt), Ali Salem Al Darai (purple belt) and Emaan Mohammad (female blue belt).

Local UAE competitors

The president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Thomas Bach, is rumored to be in attendance at the 2014 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu Jitsu Championship. In addition to the President of the Olympic Council of Asia, Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.

Abdulmunam Al Hashmi, president of both the Asian Jiu Jitsu Union and the UAE Jiu Jitsu Federation, discussed with emirates247.com the development programme and the popularity of the sport with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach during his visit to the Gulf:

“Jiu Jitsu to be included in the Olympic Games is a long way off but at least we were able to discuss the work we are doing to broaden the horizons of the sport with the members of the IOC and ANOC,”

Meanwhile, Urijah Faber, a mixed marital arts legend known globally as the ‘California kid’ and loved for his use of Brazilian jiu-jitsu in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), will be present throughout the championship, meeting fans and conducting training demos.