His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum capped off two days of intense competition at the Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup, awarding titles to top clubs from across the UAE during a ceremony held at Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai on May 5, 2026. The tournament, organized by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, served as both a season finale and a critical benchmark for athletes and programs ahead of international competitions.
A Weekend of High-Stakes Matches
The championship drew broad participation from clubs and academies nationwide, offering a real-time measure of each team’s preparedness. Competitive bouts, disciplined performances, and a relentless focus on scoring defined the two-day event. The final day delivered decisive contests across every age division:
- Under-14: Palms Sports – Team 777
- Under-16: Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club
- Under-18: Al Jazira Jiu-Jitsu Club
- Adults: Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club
Tight technical margins separated the winning squads, underscoring the depth of training and tactical refinement developed over the domestic season.
Dignitaries and Key Voices
The awards ceremony drew a host of officials, including Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation; Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri and Yousef Abdullah Al Batran, board members; Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan, Chairman of Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club; and Nasser Khadem Al Kaabi, Vice Chairman of Baniyas Sports Club, alongside representatives from Dubai Sports Council and participating clubs.
Federation: Clubs Are the Engine of Growth
In his remarks, Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri congratulated the winners, praising the high level of competitiveness and the flawless organization at Shabab Al Ahli Club. “The Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup holds a special place in our annual calendar,” he said. “It combines competitive value with a strong developmental role. This edition showcased the scale of work by clubs and academies and highlighted several promising young talents with the potential to progress and compete at higher levels.”
He emphasized that major domestic championships provide invaluable competitive exposure, allowing technical teams to assess performance in real-match environments.
Club Leaders Reflect on Collective Effort
Ahmed Saeed Al Jarwan of Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club thanked the Federation for its continued support, noting the club’s emphasis on instilling respect for opponents, referees, and rules. “This achievement reflects the collective efforts of the board, management, coaches, and athletes,” he said.
Obaid Al Kaabi, board member of Baniyas Sports Company, pointed to the club’s retained adult title as proof of depth and preparation. “Consistency reflects the quality of our squad,” he explained. “We have a group capable of competing at the highest level, and this result reinforces that.”
Abdullah Al-Qama, Director of Jiu-Jitsu at Al Jazira Club, expressed pride in seeing his athletes on the podium. “Winning a title of this significance is a source of pride for everyone involved,” he said.
Cassiano Cunha, Technical Director of Palms Sports – Team 777, added: “We are pleased to see our training programmes translate into strong performances. This championship reveals the true strength of each team and reflects the work carried out throughout the season.”
Broader Impact and Next Steps
The Vice President’s Jiu-Jitsu Cup has become a cornerstone of the UAE’s martial arts calendar, blending competition with talent identification. As clubs and academies now pivot their focus to international tournaments and the next domestic season, the event’s role in developing a pipeline of world-class athletes—from youth divisions to adult champions—cannot be overstated. With continued federation support and rising participation, the UAE’s jiu-jitsu scene appears poised for further growth on the global stage.