Combat sports in the UAE: Global achievements that enhance leadership and promise a bright future

Combat sports in the UAE

 

Combat sports in the UAE: Global achievements that enhance leadership and promise a bright future

Combat sports in the UAE have witnessed remarkable development in recent years, with successive achievements at the continental and international levels, under an integrated sports system that combines institutional support, hosting world championships, and talent development programs, which has strengthened the country’s presence on the global combat sports map.

This continued momentum has contributed to transforming the UAE into a major hub for hosting the most prominent events and championships in Jiu-Jitsu, Karate, Judo, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and Mixed Martial Arts, in addition to UFC World Championships, reflecting the growing international confidence in the country’s organizational capabilities and its advanced sports infrastructure.

The UAE stands out as a global destination for organizing major tournaments in this field, as it annually hosts many events that bring together elite champions from various countries around the world, most notably the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, the World Mixed Martial Arts Championship, which attracts the best up-and-coming and professional fighters, and world Muay Thai championships, which are held with wide participation from national federations. The Emirate of Fujairah also recently hosted one of the rounds of the World Youth Karate League, which is organized by the International Karate Federation.

The UAE has achieved remarkable sporting accomplishments on the world podiums, as national team players have successfully established a strong presence in Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Judo and Taekwondo championships, winning dozens of medals in world and Asian championships.

The UAE Jiu-Jitsu team players won 50 medals in the World Championship held in Thailand last year, in addition to 4 medals in the World Games in Chengdu, and 5 medals in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, along with a large haul of 66 medals in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam tournaments, which were held in London, Paris, Jordan and Istanbul.

The UAE judo team won 50 medals during 2024, including 34 Arab medals, in addition to participating in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games with 6 players. The team also won 30 medals during 2025, including 20 world medals, 9 continental medals, and a bronze medal at the World Championships.

The UAE kickboxing team shone by winning 25 medals in the World Championship for Seniors and Masters categories, which was held in Abu Dhabi last November, with 9 gold medals, 7 silver medals, and 9 bronze medals, in an achievement that reflects the great development that this sport is witnessing in the country.

This scene features prominent names of Emirati athletes who have succeeded in achieving remarkable accomplishments and raising the country’s flag in various championships, including Jassim Omar Al Suwaidi, Khalid Al Shehhi, Shamma Al Kalbani, Asma Al Hosani, and Dhiab Al Nuaimi in Jiu-Jitsu, Zayed Al Kathiri in mixed martial arts, Elias Habib in Muay Thai and kickboxing, Jassim Al Naqbi in boxing, Bashirat Khroudi in judo, and other champions who have provided inspiring role models for new generations.

Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice President of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, confirmed that combat sports in the UAE are witnessing an unprecedented boom in various games, which is reflected in the successive achievements during the recent period.

He added that the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation views the achievements as a natural result of the wise leadership’s vision and continuous investment in people and sports, noting the work during the past years to build an integrated system for discovering and developing talents, with the aim of preparing a new generation of champions capable of competing regionally and globally.

For his part, Dr. Nasser Al Tamimi, Vice President of the UAE Judo Federation, affirmed that the spread of combat sports in the UAE is due to the advanced infrastructure and the significant support provided to specialized sports federations, which in turn contribute to producing champions and building promising generations capable of achieving great things.

He added that the Judo Federation operates according to a long-term strategy aimed at building national teams capable of making a difference by promoting the sport, supporting emerging talents, and preserving the gains already achieved.

For his part, Fouad Darwish, CEO of Palms Sports, the organizer of the UAE Warriors mixed martial arts championship series, confirmed that combat sports in the UAE have achieved a qualitative leap at all levels, whether through organizing the most prominent international championships, or creating champions and achieving titles.

He explained that the “UAE Warriors” series organizes 10 tournaments annually, with the participation of fighters from various countries around the world, and with a wide public turnout.