Big night awaits for Emirati star Omar Al Fadhli at the Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam World Tour

Elite jiu-jitsu fighters from around the world assemble for the final round of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena at Zayed Sports City from Friday.

The three-day competition features the Youth, Masters and Professional categories in the Grand Slam World Tour, giving participants the chance to improve their world ranking and win a slice of the $225,000 prize fund on offer.

The competition kicks off with the Grand Slam for Youth and the Queen of Mats on the opening day, followed by the Grand Slam Masters and King of Mats on Saturday, and the Grand Slam Professional on Sunday.

The Emirati jiu-jitsu star Omar Al Fadhli will be one of the biggest draws on the second day as he will be the first Emirati and the first Arab to compete in the King of Mats competition.

“To get the opportunity to compete in the King of Mats is every Emirati player’s dream,” Al Fadhli said.

“This means facing the world’s strongest and toughest jiu-jitsu players, who are used to such an environment and have a lot of experience in the top flight on the mat.”

Al Fadhli, 21, holds several jiu-jitsu records and is the youngest Emirati to receive the black belt.

“The King of Mats is another first for me and another opportunity,” he added. “I started preparing for this competition a long time ago.

“World jiu-jitsu legends will compete in this tournament, which will provide us with the best possible technical value as jiu-jitsu professionals. In terms of preparations, the players have to be at their physical and mental peaks.”

Zayed Al Kathiri, who features in the professional category, has previously participated and won the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam. He returns looking not just to compete, but to replicate his previous feat.

“Winning in