Al-Ain to host 6th IMMAF Youth World Championships in July

The 6th edition of IMMAF Youth World Championships will take place in AL-Ain this July. (Supplied)
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  • Tournament will be held at the Al-Ain Convention Center with more than 1,000 male and female athletes from 60 countries taking part

ABU DHABI: The UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation has announced that the sixth IMMAF Youth World Championships will be held in Al-Ain Region for the first time from July 21-27.

The tournament will be staged at the Al-Ain Convention Center with more than 1,000 male and female athletes from 60 countries competing in the championship鈥檚 largest event to date.

The championship, organized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation, or IMMAF, and hosted by the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation for the fourth year in a row, serves as a global platform to discover emerging talents in mixed martial arts and to strengthen the UAE鈥檚 position as a leading international sports destination. 

The championship is the culmination of a long-standing collaboration between IMMAF and the UAEJJF, with a prior agreement extended last year to continue hosting the event in Abu Dhabi for three more years, from 2025 to 2027.

Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al-Dhaheri, UAE Jiu-Jitsu and IMMAF board member, said: 鈥淲e are committed to delivering an exceptional edition of the championship and take pride in hosting top emerging talents from around the world.

鈥淭his underlines the UAE鈥檚 strong position as a prime platform for organizing and hosting big international competitions and a desirable destination for athletes worldwide. This tournament builds on the nation鈥檚 successful sporting events, which have received considerable international praise. It also plays an important role in our attempts to expand the sport within the country by motivating our athletes to excel and earn top honors. 

鈥淭he selection of Al-Ain Region is due to its historical significance, rich cultural heritage, tourist attractions and natural landscapes, which complement the championship鈥檚 dynamic atmosphere to offer an unprecedented experience for participants and spectators,鈥� he added.

Kerrith Brown, IMMAF president, said: 鈥淭he IMMAF Youth World Championships continue to set the global benchmark for youth development in mixed martial arts, and we鈥檙e proud to see the event grow year after year. This year, we鈥檙e honored to bring the championships to the world-class Al-Ain Convention Center in collaboration with the UAE MMA Federation, marking an exciting new chapter for IMMAF.

鈥淲ith over 1,000 youth athletes expected to compete, the 2025 edition will be our largest yet. It鈥檚 a powerful statement about the future of MMA, and I look forward to witnessing the next generation of stars take center stage.鈥�