ABU DHABI: Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi’s Zayed Sports City witnessed a thrilling display of talent on Saturday evening as the promising Emirati fighters delivered outstanding performances at the Youth MMA Championship 5.
The competition has been organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
The Youth MMA Championship 6 is scheduled to be held in June, and it will be the last MMA event in the UAE capital before it plays host to the IMMAF Youth MMA World Championships — the biggest event in the sport’s calendar — from Aug. 2 to 5.
Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, board member of the UAEJJF, chairman of the federation’s mixed martial arts committee, and senior vice president of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Association, said: “The championship achieved most of its goals, coinciding with Abu Dhabi’s preparation to host the World Championship, one of the largest sporting events on the global sports agenda.
“We have closely followed the progress of the fighters from the UAE and quickly they are developing skills and expertise. This will enhance their preparations and readiness to join the ranks of the national team, compete in the World Championships, excel, and raise the UAE flag on the podium.”
IMMAF president, Kerrith Brown, said: “The growth and development of the MMA scene in the UAE over the past year has been massive.
“From winning their first gold medal in the Youth World Championships to now, it’s been truly inspiring to see the progression of not only the athletes but also the coaches and support staff within the UAE MMA federation.
“It’s wonderful to witness such positive development in the sport, especially in youth MMA, and I believe that the UAE is leading the way in investing in the future generation.
“This serves as a beacon of hope for other federations and shows that with investment in youth, we can pave the way for a bright future for MMA worldwide,” he added.
In the women’s competition, Zamzam Al-Hammadi, representing ADMA Academy, defeated Alyazi Albadawi of The Force Sports Club in a highly competitive match in the youth/female/youth B/-62 kg division.
She said: “Mixed martial arts is a sport that requires different techniques from other martial art disciplines.
“I thank the technical staff and coaches who helped me during the last few months to prepare optimally for this decisive moment in my career. I also thank the federation for paving the way for Emirati girls to shine in this distinguished sport.”
The championship also saw Hamdan Mohammed Al-Najjar of Sharjah Self-Defense take the top spot in the youth/male/youth C/-48 kg division with victory over Zayed Al-Hammadi from the ADMA Academy in an intense final match.
Al-Najjar said that winning the title was a great motivation for players at the beginning of their professional career. He added that the important victory would motivate him to prepare for the IMMAF Youth MMA World Championship in Abu Dhabi, which was the dream tournament for all players.
