The Khaled Bin Mohamed Bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is set to return this weekend for its sixth round, hosted at the Nad Al Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai on August 29-30. This upcoming segment focuses on the No-Gi format, featuring Under-12, Under-14, and Under-16 athletes on Saturday, while the Under-18, Adult, and Master divisions are scheduled to compete on Sunday.
As the final No-Gi round of the season, this event serves as a critical juncture for the championship title race. Clubs and academies are looking to secure vital points to bolster their standings before the final rankings are determined. The No-Gi discipline demands high levels of speed, precise movement, and tactical control, requiring participants to react swiftly during transitions and capitalize on opponent errors.
The rivalry between top clubs is expected to intensify in Dubai, following the previous No-Gi round held in Fujairah held in Fujairah this past April. During that event, the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club secured the top spot in the standings, narrowly outperforming Palms Sports – Team 777 and the M.O.D Academy.
Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, a board member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, emphasized the growing importance of each match as the season progresses. He noted that the heightened level of preparation from clubs and athletes reflects the stakes involved, adding that the No-Gi format is an essential tool for developing athlete speed, control, and adaptability. Al Batran stated that since the season’s inception, the federation has aimed to ensure each round provides a clear assessment of athlete progress, and he anticipates a highly competitive atmosphere in Dubai.
Reflecting on the technical demands, Majed Alnaqbi, an Under-16 competitor representing the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club, explained that his team adjusted their training specifically for this round. He highlighted that the focus has been on maintaining control and executing rapid transitions to maximize his point-scoring potential for the club.
This event follows the recent conclusion of the fifth round of the championship’s third edition, which took place at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City. That Gi-division competition featured participants from across the UAE, with the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club ultimately finishing first in the overall standings. Palms Sports – Team 777 took second place, while the Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club rounded out the top three. The final day of that event showcased the technical discipline and development of the youngest age groups, underscoring the effectiveness of current club training programs. The report also notes that clubs and academies have one last opportunity to earn more points and improve their positions before the final No-Gi standings are decided. The report also notes that movement and control, the fast-paced No-Gi format places greater emphasis on speed. The report also notes that this can be seen in how well the clubs and academies are preparing and how hard the athletes are competing. The report also notes that it helps them improve their skills and prepares them for different types of competition.
