- Location: Mubadala Arena, Abu Dhabi
- Organisation: UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation
- Status: 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship concluded on August 9
- Who is affected: UAE national team, international athletes and young jiu-jitsu competitors
- Business impact: Strengthens Abu Dhabi’s position as an international sports and events destination
- What’s next: UAE athletes will continue progressing through youth and senior international competitions
The UAE has been crowned world champions in the Adult and Under-21 Newaza divisions at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship in Abu Dhabi. The nine-day event brought more than 1,500 athletes from around the world to Mubadala Arena, with the UAE finishing the competition with 65 medals, including 18 gold, 17 silver and 30 bronze.
The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation said the results reflect the progress of the country’s national team and its growing strength across different age groups. The championship also highlighted Abu Dhabi’s established role as a major international destination for jiu-jitsu.
UAE secures two world titles in Abu Dhabi
The UAE’s strongest achievement came in Newaza, a discipline focused on grappling and ground techniques.
The national team finished first in both the Adult and Under-21 Newaza competitions. The Adult team also topped the overall Adult standings across all disciplines, despite the UAE competing only in Newaza.
Those overall standings included results from other disciplines such as:
- Contact Jiu-Jitsu
- Fighting
- Duo
- Show
The final medal tally gave the UAE 65 medals, with 18 gold medals providing a major contribution to its championship success.
For the host nation, competing at home also gave UAE athletes an opportunity to perform in front of local supporters while facing some of the world’s leading competitors.
More than 1,500 athletes competed
The 2026 championship attracted more than 1,500 athletes from around the world.
The competition was structured around several age groups, including Under-16, Under-18, Under-21, Adult and Masters categories. The wider programme also featured the 2026 World Cup for the Under-14 category.
That broad age range is significant for the UAE’s jiu-jitsu programme. It creates a pathway in which younger competitors can gain international experience before progressing into Under-21 and senior competition.
The Under-21 title was particularly notable in that context. It showed that the UAE’s success is not limited to established adult athletes, but is also being supported by its younger generation.
Young UAE athletes are already making their mark
The World Championship followed another strong international performance by the UAE’s youth and senior teams.
In July, the UAE national team collected 55 medals at the Asian Youth and Asian Jiu-Jitsu Championships in Almaty, Kazakhstan. The haul included 20 gold, 15 silver and 20 bronze medals, with the UAE’s adult team also retaining its Asian title.
That result provided useful momentum ahead of the World Championship in Abu Dhabi.
At the latest event, Omar Al Fadhli won gold in the Adult Under-69kg category, while Abdulrahman Mohammed claimed Under-21 Under-56kg gold.
For Al Fadhli, the victory was part of a wider team achievement. Mohammed, meanwhile, described his Under-21 world title as motivation for his planned move into the adult division.
Abu Dhabi continues to grow as a jiu-jitsu hub
The championship also adds to Abu Dhabi’s long-standing connection with international jiu-jitsu.
The Abu Dhabi Media Office identifies the emirate as a global hub for the sport, with the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation regularly hosting major international competitions in the capital.
Holding a world championship brings athletes, coaches, officials and delegations from different countries to Abu Dhabi. That supports the emirate’s broader strategy of attracting major sporting events and strengthening its international sports profile.
For local businesses, large-scale competitions can also create demand across hotels, restaurants, transport, retail and other visitor services, although no specific economic impact figure has been announced for this championship.
Why It Matters
The UAE’s result matters beyond the medal table.
For young athletes, the Under-21 world title demonstrates that there is a pathway from youth competition to the senior national team.
For UAE residents, major international championships provide opportunities to watch elite sport in Abu Dhabi without travelling abroad.
For Abu Dhabi, hosting more global competitions supports its reputation as a destination for international sporting events.
The success also gives the national team another benchmark as its athletes move towards future Asian and world competitions.
FAQs
How many medals did the UAE win at the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship?
The UAE won 65 medals — 18 gold, 17 silver and 30 bronze.
Which divisions did the UAE win at the World Championship?
The UAE won world titles in both the Adult Newaza and Under-21 Newaza divisions.
Where was the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship held?
The championship was held at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi over nine days, concluding on August 9, 2026.
How many athletes competed in the championship?
More than 1,500 athletes from around the world competed across different age groups and disciplines.
Who won gold for the UAE?
Among the UAE’s gold medallists were Omar Al Fadhli, who won Adult Under-69kg gold, and Abdulrahman Mohammed, who won Under-21 Under-56kg gold.
The UAE closed the 2026 Jiu-Jitsu World Championship with two world titles and a 65-medal haul, underlining the country’s growing strength in the sport. With strong results from both senior and youth athletes, Abu Dhabi’s latest international championship also reinforces its position as a major destination for global jiu-jitsu events.
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