The eighth and final round of the third Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is scheduled to take place at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi from October 16-18. Organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, this closing leg will determine the Gi champions, with top finishers in the season-long Gi and No-Gi standings set to receive honors at the final ceremony. The championship reflects the UAE leadership’s continued support for sport and investment in athletes.
Entering the showdown at the top of the overall Gi standings is Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, closely followed by Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club in second and Palms Sports – Team 777 in third. Because points are awarded across all weight classes and age groups, the championship race remains open with every match carrying significant weight.
Competition kicks off on Friday, October 16, featuring the Under-18, Adults, and Masters brackets for both men and women. Kids divisions take over the mats on Saturday, while the Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 categories will wrap up the season’s matches on Sunday.
Fahad Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary-General of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, noted that the finale represents the culmination of intense preparation by academies and clubs. He highlighted that consistent competition builds athlete resilience and helps administrators track progress to better prepare competitors for international representation. It has helped identify and develop talent, given clubs and academies a way to measure their progress, and helped prepare promising athletes to represent the UAE at continental and international competitions, throughout its third season. “By giving athletes regular opportunities to compete, the championship helps them improve their skills and learn to perform under pressure. Their contribution goes beyond winning titles and helps us develop new talent and maintain the high standards of UAE jiu-jitsu.”.
Young competitors representing the leading clubs include Khaled Alkatheeri of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, Alyazia Alshamsi of Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club, and Zayed Ali Alteneiji of Palms Sports – Team 777. Al Kathiri, competing in the Under-16 division, emphasized his responsibility to his teammates, while Under-18 competitor Al Shamsi credited the tournament with boosting her competitive confidence. Alteneiji, an Under-14 athlete, added that post-match reviews have driven his ongoing skill development.
Aligning with Year of the Family 2026 initiatives, the tournament continues to emphasize familial involvement, with parents turning out extensively to support participating children. These dynamics foster strong discipline, teamwork, and institutional pride across all competing age brackets.
The third edition concludes on Sunday evening with an official ceremony celebrating the top-performing clubs across the entirety of the Gi and No-Gi classifications.
