The season of new beginnings deserves a fitting ending. The Abu Dhabi Grand Slam returns to Abu Dhabi on May 6-8, 2022, for a three-day event that will feature competition for athletes of all ages, nationalities, and skill levels. Once again, the best competitors in the world will meet at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena. The weekend will also feature the 4th Edition of the Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats and the 11th Edition of the Abu Dhabi King of Mats.
“The Abu Dhabi Tour is one of the main and the final rounds of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Jiu-Jitsu Tour. It will give 3000 points to the winner of the first place in his/her division. This final tour will also feature the 11th edition of Abu Dhabi King of Mats and the 4th edition of Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats. The event will witness top names in the world of Jiu-Jitsu who will travel to Abu Dhabi to win the most wanted titles of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro. AJP is also keen to provide the most competitive tours to elevate the level of Jiu-Jitsu champions who will be ready to participate in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, in November 2022” said Mr. Tareq Al Baheri, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro.
Here’s a guide to all the thrills that will take place in the capital city of the UAE.
MAY 6, 2022
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Abu Dhabi – Youth
The best youth and children in the world of Jiu-Jitsu will be in Abu Dhabi to test their skills. The event is open to competitors from all nationalities born between 2005 and 2011. Winners of each division will earn 3000 points in the AJP Athlete’s ranking. The registration deadline is May 2. More info here.
Here are the age divisions, belt colors, and schedule.
MEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
2011 and 2012 / Infant / Grey, Yellow, Orange
2009 and 2010 / Junior / Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green
2007 and 2008 / Teen / Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green
2005 and 2006 / Youth / Blue, Purple
WOMEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
2011 and 2012 / Infant / Grey, Yellow, Orange
2009 and 2010 / Junior / Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green
2007 and 2008 / Teen / Grey, Yellow, Orange, Green
2005 and 2006 / Youth / Blue, Purple
On Date Weigh-in
Date: Friday, May 6th, 2022
Place: Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Fight Schedule
Friday, May 6TH
Infant, Junior, Teen and Youth (Colored Belts) – Boys & Girls
Fights start at 11:00 a.m.
Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats – Heavyweight – 4th Edition
The ladies are back on the mats! After a thrilling lightweight event in Florianópolis, Brazil, in December 2021, the Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats returns to Abu Dhabi for a new installment of the heavyweight division. Once again, six of the best competitors on the planet will fight to the end for a chance to fight for the crown. Let’s know a little bit more about each contender.
Yara Nascimento (Brazil / Al Wahda JJ Club) – At 26 years old, Yara has already reached the top. She is a 4-time Abu Dhabi Grand Slam champion and the only heavyweight in the circuit that has been able to beat ADWPJJC champion and ADQOM heavyweight champion Gabrieli Pessanha.
Julia Boscher (Brazil / Ares BJJ) – Julia is back! After a 2020/2021 season that saw her rise to the top, she took some time off in the past 12 months. A 3-time Abu Dhabi Grand Slam champion, Julia is known for a high-paced fighting style that will allow no time to breathe for her opponents.
Ingridd Sousa (Brazil / Guigo JJ) – At 27 years old, Ingridd has been incredibly active in the AJP circuit. She is a constant presence in competitions and Brazil and since 2021 has been making her presence known internationally. The 2021 ADWPJJC gold medal in the adult brown/black belt 70kg division is all the proof you need to say Ingridd is a contender to any competition she enters.
Thalyta Silva (Brazil / Vision BJJ) – A new face in the competition circuit, at 22 years old, Thalyta Silva made the headlines in the recent ADGS London, where she won the professional brown/black belt 70kg division. She wants more and she will be a tough opponent to anyone.
Rafaela Bertolot (Brazil / Palm Sports – Team 777) – Rafaela divides her routine between teaching Jiu-Jitsu in Abu Dhabi and training to compete against the toughest opponents in the world. She has been a constant presence on the podiums of major AJP competitions and will no doubt be a serious contender for the title.
Rebeca Lima (Brazil / GF Team) – So young and so talented! At 19 years old, Rebeca is in her first year as a brown belt and therefore making her debut in the AJP against the black belts. She made it to second place in the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London and she arrives in Abu Dhabi to write her name in history.
The 4th Edition of the Abu Dhabi Queen of Mats – Heavyweight takes place May 6th, at the Jiu-Jitsu Arena. The official weigh-in is scheduled May 6th between 8AM and 10AM. Fights kick off at 5PM.
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MAY 7, 2022
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Abu Dhabi – Masters
Day 2 of the three-day event will be dedicated to the experienced competitors in the Masters division. The best competitors born in 1992 or before will meet in Abu Dhabi to test their skills. Male and female athletes in the purple, brown and black belts will compete for the 3000 points and the cash prizes reserved for the champions in each division. The registration deadline is May 2. More info here.
Here are the weight divisions and schedule.
MEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
1992 and before / Master 1 / Purple, Brown, Black
1986 and before / Master 2 / Purple, Brown, Black
1981 and before / Master 3 / Purple, Brown, Black
1976 and before / Master 4 / Purple, Brown, Black
WOMEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
1992 and before / Master 1 / Purple, Brown, Black
Pre Date Weigh-in
Date: Friday, May 6th, 2022
Place: Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Date Weigh-in
Date: Saturday, May 7th, 2022
Place: Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Fight Schedule
Saturday, May 7TH
Masters 1, 2, 3 & 4 (Purple, Brown and Black Belts / Men & Women)
Fights start at 10:00 a.m.
Abu Dhabi King of Mats – Lightweight – 11th Edition
Fast paced matches and thrills from beginning to end. That’s what Jiu Jitsu fans should look for in another installment of the ADKOM Lightweight. The roster features an international selection of tough competitors. From Brazil to the UAE and the USA, there is talent for all tastes and likings. Here’s who’s coming to compete in Abu Dhabi.
Meyran Alves (Brazil / Dream Art) – At only 21 years old, Meyran is already a force to be reckoned with. He arrives in Abu Dhabi fresh from a gold medal campaign at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam London, in March 2022. Before that, he made it to the 2nd place at the ADGS Rio, in 2021. Keep an eye out for Meyran.
Isaac Doederlein (USA / Alliance) – The champion is back. Isaac won the ADKOM lightweight division in Tokyo, in 2019. Back then, he fought 6 times and won six matches, with four submissions. One of the biggest talents to emerge from America, Doederlein wants his second title in the ADKOM series and he has all the tools to achieve it.
Omar Al Fadhli (UAE / Palm Sports – Team 777) – Omar has arrived. For years, the Emirati has awed crowds in the color belts and now he is ready to write his name in the black belt division. Omar is undoubtedly one of the biggest Jiu Jitsu talents to emerge from the UAE. The ADKOM lightweight will be the first chance for Omar to prove he has the skills to go head to head with the best in the world
Rodinei Junior (Brazil / Vision BJJ) – At 27 years old, Rodinei is always a tough opponent to be faced with. Known for his creative and powerful game, Junior is still after that big result to put his name in the short list of the greatest in the weight division. The ADKOM in Abu Dhabi might as well be that big break.
Lucas Pinheiro (Brazil / Atos JJ) – One of the most active competitors in the AJP circuit, Lucas wants to make his name known on the big stage. A gold medalist in the ADGS Miami 2020, Pinheiro arrives in Abu Dhabi with sights on the big prize and it will be very hard to stop him.
Alexssandro Sodré (Brazil / Nova União) – The champion is back! Sodré had a stellar campaign in the ADGS Rio, in 2019. In Brazil, he won gold with six wins in the Professional black belt 69kg division. In Abu Dhabi, Alex will be fighting for the greatest achievement of his victorious career. Keep an eye on him.
The 11th Edition of the Abu Dhabi King of Mats -Lightweight kicks off May 7th, at 5PM. The official weigh-in is scheduled May 6th, from 5PM to 7PM.
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MAY 8, 2022
Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Abu Dhabi – Professional
Day 3 of the Jiu Jitsu weekend in Abu Dhabi brings the biggest names in the sport today. The final event of the 2021/2022 AJP season is set to gather the absolute elite in Abu Dhabi. The men and the women in the professional division will clash for the 3000 points in the ranking and the hefty cash prizes. From purple belt to the black belt, the crowd in the Jiu Jitsu Arena and also all of those watching online will be out for a real treat. The registration deadline is May 2. More info here.
Here are the weight divisions and schedule
MEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
2006 and before / Professional / Purple
2004 and before / Professional / Brown, Black
WOMEN’S:
Year of Birth / Division / Belt
2006 and before / Professional / Purple
2004 and before / Professional / Brown, Black
Pre Date Weigh-in
Date: Saturday, May 7th, 2022
Place: Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time: 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
On Date Weigh-in
Date: Sunday, May 8th, 2022
Place: Jiu-Jitsu Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Time: 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Fight Schedule
Sunday May 8th
Purple Belt / Professional / Men & Women
Brown Belt / Professional / Men
Brown – Black Belt / Professional / Women
Black Belt / Professional / Men
Fights start at 10:00 a.m.
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Find all the information on the 2022 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Tour Abu Dhabi and all AJP Events at ajptour.com.
