UAEJJF confirm dates for Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship

The Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship will take place from November 18-21, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation have announced.

Usually held as the UAEJJF’s season-ending event in April followed by a gala awards ceremony to crown the world champions, the 12th staging of the championship was rescheduled following the coronavirus outbreak globally.

The event, also known as the World Pro, is the world’s biggest jiu-jitsu championship in participation numbers as well as cash prizes. Last year, more than 5,000 elite fighters competed for a total prize fund of Dh2.5 million.

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Local jiu-jitsu fighters have been training since May after the UAEJFF pioneered a return to competitive sport in the Middle East with a closed training camp and two competitions for the country's elite athletes.

TThe World Pro will take place in line with stringent local and federal health and safety guidelines with the wellbeing of athletes, officials, and support staff being the top priority.

The Masters and Professional events will take place across the four-day showpiece event. The Masters (athletes over 30) will take to the mats on November 18, followed by the Professionals competing over next three days. The tournament will be held at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena, formerly the Mubadala Arena.

“Over the past three months, we have successfully organised several championships and training camps with the highest regard for safety of everyone involved,” said Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, UAEJJF deputy chairman and head of the Higher Organising Committee of the championship.

“We now have a tried and tested comprehensive set of protocols that ensures health and safety during a championship scenario. That experience gained will enable the Federation to stage a successful 12th edition of the World Pro.

“We have been overwhelmed by interest from the global jiu-jitsu community and staging the World Pro is another marker that contributes to underline Abu Dhabi’s position as the Jiu-Jitsu capital of the world.

“Persistence and a will to overcome challenges are in jiu-jitsu’s ethos and this championship demonstrates UAEJJF’s commitment to bring our beloved sport back in action.”