Abu Dhabi, August : The UAE Mixed Martial Arts National Team made a strong start to the IMMAF Youth World Championships, winning 12 medals, including five gold, three silver and four bronze, as the seventh edition of the event got underway on Monday at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi. More than 1,100 athletes from 55 countries are competing in the championship, which runs until August 23.
The opening day featured Youth D competition for athletes aged 10–11, with 19 UAE National Team athletes in action. The category is being contested at the World Championships for only the second time, having made its debut in 2025.
Mohammed Shaikhan (Men’s 27kg), Hind Alhashmi (Women’s 40kg), Haya Bin Faris (Women’s 52kg), Saqer Alnuaimi (Men’s 48kg) and Kaddy Sulaiman (Women’s 57kg) all won gold.
Maryam Alsaboori (Women’s 52kg), Younis Alkhoori (Men’s 37kg) and Hamed Alharbi (Men’s 57kg) took silver, while Ammar Almheiri (Men’s 62kg), Shaima Sulaiman (Women’s 37kg), Mohammad Aljneibi (Men’s 44kg) and Saif Hammad (Men’s 57kg) secured bronze.
The championship was officially opened on Monday with a ceremony featuring a performance by Abu Dhabi Police Music Band and a video looking back at the event’s growth over the years.
There was also an exciting addition to the opening-day action, as two robots went head-to-head in an MMA-style demonstration inside the cage, with another robot acting as referee. The showcase combined MMA with technology and drew plenty of attention from spectators at Mubadala Arena.
The opening ceremony and medal presentations were attended by H.E. Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, President of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union and Senior Vice President of the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation; Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation; H.E. Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of Abu Dhabi Sports Council; H.E. Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and H.E. Yousef Al Batran, Board Members of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation; H.E. Muhammad Ali Al-Mansouri, Director General of Al Dhafrah Region Municipality; H.E. Shareef Hashim Al Hashmi, Director General of the Industry Development Directorate at Tawazun Council for Defence Enablement; H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Harmoodi, Director General of Industry Innovation and Artificial Intelligence at Tawazun; as well as officials from government entities, Abu Dhabi Sports Council and IMMAF, and representatives of participating delegations.
H.E. Abdulmunem Alsayed Mohammed Alhashmi said: “The opening-day competition and the large number of participants are positive signs for the future of MMA in the UAE and around the world. The support of the UAE’s leadership and Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the World Championships for five consecutive years have helped grow the sport, discover new talent and develop future champions.
“Hosting the championship for the fifth consecutive year is about more than organising a successful international event. We want to identify talented athletes from a young age and help them develop technically, physically and mentally. Our goal is to prepare national teams that can compete at the highest level. Investing in young athletes is important to developing future champions and achieving long-term success.”
Alhashmi added: “The UAE National Team’s participation is part of the Federation’s plan to build a strong base of athletes by discovering and developing talent, providing the right training programmes and giving athletes opportunities to compete internationally. The Federation, clubs, coaches and parents all have an important role to play in helping athletes develop.
“Our partnership with IMMAF, together with Abu Dhabi’s experience in hosting major international championships, has helped strengthen the emirate’s position as a global hub for MMA and a key platform for growing the sport and developing athletes who can compete at regional and international levels.”
Kerrith Brown, President of the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: “The Youth World Championships are an important part of IMMAF’s plans to grow the sport around the world. The championship gives athletes a clear path to develop from a young age, with a strong focus on proper training, athlete safety and integrity.
“Introducing new age categories, including Youth D, gives young athletes more opportunities to compete, improve and prepare for the next stages of the sporting career. The UAE’s continued hosting of the championship also shows the strength of IMMAF’s partnership with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation and the benefits of Abu Dhabi’s experience and world-class infrastructure.”
Abdullah Ali Hassan Al Blooshi, father of UAE athlete Khalifa, said: “My son’s participation in the championship is a proud moment for our family. MMA has helped him become more committed and disciplined and taught him to respect his opponents. Family support is important for athletes at a young age, alongside the work of coaches in helping them develop.”
