Al Ain hosts high-intensity finish as UAE National MMA Championship 6 opens new season
Gold for Maryam Al Marzooqi highlights depth of emerging Emirati talent
DUBAI – The UAE National MMA Championship 6 concluded on Sunday after two days of intense competition at UAE University in Al Ain, organised by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
The event marked the opening tournament of the new season, drawing athletes from across the country into a competitive environment built around structured development. Youth A competitors aged 16 to 17 and adult fighters aged 18 and above took centre stage on the final day, closing the championship with a series of tightly contested bouts.
Across the cages, athletes demonstrated a noticeable rise in technical proficiency and physical conditioning, reflecting months of preparation within their clubs and academies. Fights were marked by discipline and controlled aggression, with competitors using a wide range of striking and grappling techniques to gain the upper hand at decisive moments.
Final-day action
The concluding sessions were defined by fast-paced match-ups and strategic awareness, particularly in the Youth A and Adults categories that form the bridge between junior development and elite competition. Fighters showed confidence in their ability to manage distance, defend submissions and capitalise on openings, delivering bouts that remained competitive until the final exchanges.
The federation highlighted that these categories are central to preparing athletes for higher levels of competition, providing the experience required to compete under pressure. The steady improvement in performance levels underlined the effectiveness of the long-term development pathway being applied across the national MMA system.
Development pathway
Mohammed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said the final-day contests reflected the advanced technical standard reached by the championship, especially in Youth A and Adults. He noted that the diversity of fighting styles and the strength of the bouts were the result of continuous, structured work by clubs and academies focused on consistency and performance improvement.
According to Al Dhaheri, the sixth edition built on the success of previous championships through improved organisation and competition standards. The event also serves as a key platform to assess athlete readiness, test their ability to perform in high-pressure environments and support the federation’s future goals for the sport.
Rising talent
Coaches also pointed to the championship’s growing role in shaping the national MMA landscape. Abdullah Mohammad Aljabbareen, coach at ADMA Academy, said the performances demonstrated the year-on-year growth of mixed martial arts in the UAE. He added that the increasing interest in the championship, both in organisation and participation, has helped create a strong competitive setting that allows coaches to measure progress ahead of upcoming local and international events.
One of the standout results came from Maryam Al Marzooqi of ADMA Academy, who secured gold in the Youth A bantamweight division.
She said competing at this level requires intense focus and rapid decision-making, adding that the national championship provides an important opportunity to test training progress against a wide range of fighting styles while setting clear goals for the next stage of her competitive career.