Abu Dhabi hosts 1,100 athletes for IMMAF Youth World Championships

Abu Dhabi will host more than 1,100 athletes from 55 countries for the seventh IMMAF Youth World Championships, which begins on Monday, 17 August at the Mubadala Arena. The competition, which runs until 23 August, marks the fifth consecutive year the UAE capital has hosted the global tournament. Staged age categories Organized by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF) and the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, the event follows a strict age-based schedule. Competition opens on Monday with the Youth D category for athletes aged 10–11. On Tuesday, 18 August, the Youth C category (ages 12–13) begins, followed by Youth B (ages 14–15) on 19 and 20 August. The final three days will feature the Youth A division for athletes aged 16–17. The UAE National Team is fielding a 47-athlete squad across all categories. Nineteen members of the local delegation are scheduled to compete on the opening day of the tournament. The Organizing Committee confirmed that all technical and logistical arrangements at Mubadala Arena are complete to accommodate the seven-day schedule. Global participation growth Kerrith Brown, President of the IMMAF, stated that the partnership with the UAE federation has enabled the championship to expand annually in both athlete numbers and represented nations. The 2026 edition continues this trend, utilizing Abu Dhabi’s established infrastructure for combat sports. Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Board Member of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and…