Fujairah, UAE – The second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) officially kicked off Friday at the Zayed Sports Complex in Fujairah, bringing together strong participation from athletes competing in youth, adult, and masters divisions.
The opening day delivered intense action as clubs battled for early points in the overall standings. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club emerged as the early leader after the first day of competition, while M.O.D UAE secured second place and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club rounded out the top three.
The championship continues to play a key role in expanding the sport across the United Arab Emirates, focusing on athlete development and creating competitive opportunities for practitioners at all levels.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, highlighted the growing influence of the sport throughout the country.
“What we are seeing in this round reflects the continued progress of jiu-jitsu in the UAE,” Al Batran said. “Competition is not limited to the mat. Clubs, athletes, and families all play an important role in building a strong sporting culture. The strong family presence here shows how connected the community has become to the sport.”
Al Batran also emphasized the diversity of competition levels featured in the tournament.
“Youth athletes are developing quickly, adult competitors show strong discipline, and the masters divisions bring valuable experience. This combination adds depth to the championship and strengthens the development pathway for athletes at every stage.”
Ribamar Santiago, coach of Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club, said the round serves as a crucial test for teams preparing for the remainder of the season.
“This round allows us to evaluate how prepared the athletes are,” Santiago explained. “It’s not just about results but about measuring performance and how well competitors adapt to different challenges. Structuring the championship in rounds encourages long-term planning, because success depends on consistent performance throughout the season.”
Among the standout athletes of the day was Zayed Al Shamsi of MOD Academy, who captured gold in the adult brown belt 56kg division.
“Every match came down to small details,” Al Shamsi said. “In the final, timing and control made the difference. This championship rewards consistency, so the focus is on maintaining performance and continuing to improve each round.”
Organizers expect an even larger crowd over the next two days, fueled in part by the ‘Supporting Family Award’ initiative introduced by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation as part of the Abu Dhabi World Jiu-Jitsu Awards and the Year of the Family campaign.
The initiative encourages families to attend events and support athletes throughout the season, with participation tracked through QR code check-ins during the championship.
Roberto Villa is the CEO, Founder, Executive Writer, and Senior Editor of FightBook MMA. Has a passion for Combat Sports and is also a podcast host for Sitting Ringside. He’s also a former MMA fighter and Kickboxer. He’s also the main photographer for the 4CornersMafia Car Club.
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