UAE preparing for MMA revolution after Youth World Championships success

Mixed Martial Arts is expected to reach the next level in the UAE after the national team’s gold medal-winning debut at the International MMA Federation’s Youth World Championships in Abu Dhabi.

The UAE bagged one gold, a silver and two bronze medals in their first appearance at the championships that drew a record 486 athletes from 41 nations.

Jasem Al Hosani became the UAE's first world champion in the Youth Worlds. Abdulla Al Darmaki clinched silver while Zayed Al Hammadi and Zayed Al Dhabari took home a bronze each during the championships that were held at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena from August 17 to 20.

Mohammed Al Hosani, secretary general of the UAE MMA Committee, drew similarities between the Youth Worlds and the inaugural Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Back in 2009, jiu-jitsu star Faisal Al Ketbi struck gold, with President Sheikh Mohamed attending the event. That moment heralded the rise in popularity of jiu-jitsu in the UAE, with more than 200,000 Emiratis in all age groups and levels practising the martial art now.

“That was the first time His Highness attended a jiu-jitsu event and it gave the legitimacy to the martial art sport to explode in the country, region and across the world,” Al Hosani told The National.

“We had three weeks to prepare a national team comprising 27 boys and a girl for the IMMAF Youth Worlds and next year we plan to have the maximum two athletes entered in every age and weight division of this championships.”

Mohammed Al Hosani, Secretary General of UAE Mixed Martial Art and Jiu-Jitsu Federation. Victor Besa / The National

Abu Dhabi has signed a three-year deal with the IMMAF to stage the Youth World Championships until 2024 and Al Hosani is confident both quality and