UAE coach Tolly Plested confident of good results in MMA Youth World Championships

Tolly Plested has been UAE national team coach for only two months, but the Englishman is confident his athletes can put up a good showing in next week’s International Mixed Martial Art Federation Youth World Championships.

The four-day championship for girls and boys from 12-13, 14-15 and 16-17 has drawn more than 600 competitors from 46 countries for the event at the Mubadala Arena at Zayed Sports City starting on August 2.

The UAE is hosting the event for the second consecutive year as part of a three-year hosting rights agreement between IMMAF and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation.

The host nation won a gold, silver and two bronzes on their debut last year and, with 40 entries, Plested is certain they will have more of their athletes winning a spot on the podium this time around.

Jesem Al Hosani will be among them, defending his 77-kilogramme title.

“I have been with the federation for just over two months and I’m enjoying the preparations for next week’s championships,” Plested told The National at the launch ceremony for the event on Wednesday.

“There are athletes from different parts of the country. We have brought them together for a camp and create a positive environment for them all to train together.”

Tolly Plested, the new head coach of the UAE MMA federation. Photo: @tolly_mma / Instagram

According to Plested, the team have trained on individually under their coaches in their respective clubs and they are now finishing off their preparations with him putting the finishing touches to the team.

The host team went into last year’s competition with 28 athletes and the number has risen to 40 in their second appearance.

“I think it shows the progression and popularity of MMA here in the UAE and I’m enjoying