ABU DHABI: The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship Round 1 No Gi is set to take place at the Nad Al-Sheba Sports Complex in Dubai on Jan. 24-25. The opening round marks the start of the new season and reinforces the championship’s standing as one of the UAE’s leading competitions.

Round 1 will be contested in the No Gi category, attracting hundreds of athletes across multiple divisions. The event will take place in a competitive yet community-focused setting, in line with 2026 being the Year of the Family.

The third edition of the championship will feature eight rounds hosted across different locations in the UAE, comprising five Gi rounds and three No Gi rounds. The structured competition format is designed to broaden participation, improve athletes’ mental and technical readiness, identify and develop emerging talent, and support national teams.

The tournament will feature multiple divisions with competition in the categories of U-12, U-14, U-16, U-18, Adults, and Masters.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation confirmed that the third edition will continue with a structured ranking system, which has helped raise participation levels and increase competition among clubs and academies.

Last year’s edition saw the Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club claim the Gi title with the Sharjah Self-Defence Sports Club securing the No Gi title.

Mohammed Salem Al-Dhaheri, vice chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, commented: “As part of the Year of the Family, the championship highlights the role of sport in strengthening family bonds by encouraging families to attend, support and engage positively with the competitions. It helps instill the values associated with the sport within the family environment and ensures they stay with athletes from the early stages of their careers, supporting the development of a generation that combines sporting success with social awareness and healthy lifestyles.”