Abu Dhabi: The UAE National Jiu-Jitsu team will be represented with a strong lineup of players at the Jiu-Jitsu championship series — Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour to Tokyo, Japan after an exceptionally successful two-day event in Los Angeles, USA last month. 
Some of the finest Jiu-jitsu players from across the world are preparing to campaign for their quest to glory at the state-of-the-art venue in Tokyo: Big Turtle Fukaya, Saitama. Most of the top UAE leading fighters were missing from the first leg in Los Angeles, due to their participation at the 5th Asian Beach Games in Vietnam.

The team comprises of Zayed Al Mansoori, Faisal Al Ketbi, Nasser Al Breike, Ibrahim Al Hosani, Mohamed Al Qubaisi, Saaed Al Shamsi, Khalfan Balhoul, Ibrahim Al Naqbi, Mohamed Saeed Al Mehri, Sultan Alowais, Saeed Bin Fahad, Yahia Al Hammadi, Roberto De Lima and Henreque Rezendee.

Top international jiu-jitsu players who confirmed their participation to compete, include: the open weight world champion Mackenzie Dern, Igor Silva, Japanese stars Yoshi Suto and Joao Karaoke, Ricardo Evangelista, Tiago Bravo, Felipe Pena, Alexandre Ribeiro and Michael Musumeci.

“I really wanted to compete at the Grand Slam in LA but as you all know by now, I had my debut fight in MMA, so I was working hard and focusing on that. Jiu-Jitsu has become an integral part of MMA, so it is very important that I keep sharp and compete at the highest level. I am looking forward to Tokyo and aim to come back home with the win” said Mackenzie Dern

UAEJJF rules will strictly apply during the competition, with a special rules briefing workshop being conducted for coaches and players a day before the event.

Weigh-ins for all the players competing at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, Tokyo will take place on October 22 [17:00pm to 19:00pm], at the Big Turtle Fukaya, Saitama.

A referees rules course will be held on October 22 at Big Turtle Fukaya, Saitama [Budo Area] for players with a blue belt ranking or higher. Brown and black belt players, who wish to receive a UAE Referee Diploma will be able to take written and video tests. To participate, email to rules.committee@uaejjf.com, with full name and a copy of an ID.

Medals will be awarded for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places in each division. Prize money awarded will range from $500 to $2,000 in several categories, including Black Adult and Master; in the blue, purple, brown and black categories for both men and women.

The first-place winner in the respective weight categories of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam will receive 200 points, the second-place winner will receive 160 points and the third-place winner will receive 120 points. Fourth-place will receive 100 points, Fifth to Eight place will receive 80 points.

A trophy will be awarded to the best club as well and there’s also a special award for the black belt adult division champions.

The UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), the official authority for Jiu-jitsu in the United Arab Emirates also announced that, apart from the 12 international broadcasters which were brought on board at the start of the season to broadcast the championship series, the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour 2016-17 will now also be streamed live on Abema TV [https://abema.tv/] in the Japan territory.