This photo shows the participants in action during the opening day of the Youth MMA Championship.

The third edition of the hotly contested Youth MMA Championship got underway on Saturday at the Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, marking the start of another busy season for the UAE Jiu Jitsu and MMA Federation.

The first day of the two-day championship produced some intense competition with a fight card of 19 bouts featuring UAE-based youths lighting up the crowd.

The main event saw Mohammed Al Shehhi defeating Butti Al Ameri by way of decision in the 65.5kg category at the end of a busy afternoon in which 38 fighters, predominantly Emirati, took to the octagon in front of an enthusiastic crowd.

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The championship was attended by Sheikh Hamdan Bin Sultan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan and Sheikh Tahnoon Bin Sultan Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, as well as Abdul Monem Al Hashemi Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, Mohamed Salem Al Dhaheri, Vice Chairman of the Federation, and Mohamed Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri head of the UAE MMA Committee and Senior Vice President of the Asian MMA Federation.

Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, said: "We aim to make Abu Dhabi a global capital of mixed martial arts, and the preferred destination for champions from all over the world.

“The support of the country’s wise leadership is the cornerstone of achieving this goal, and tournaments such as this weekend’s contribute to the development of MMA in the UAE and the region, paving the way for Abu Dhabi to host the World youth MMA Championship next August, a tournament that the world will be watching.” Dhaheri, Head of the UAE MMA Committee at the UAEJJF and Senior Vice President of the Asian Mixed Martial Arts Federation, praised the competitive level of the championship on its first day as well as the professional organisation. “Kicking off the new sports season with this tournament demonstrates the growing importance of mixed martial arts within the agenda of the Jiu-Jitsu Federation, which works continuously to establish platforms that can attract stars from different continents.

“Abu Dhabi more than ever now represents an important destination in revealing talents and making champions."

Erhama Al Shamsi (54 kg) defeated his opponent with a rear choke in the second round and immediately expressed his great happiness at winning his first fight in MMA.

“The fight was very difficult, especially since I lost the first round, but I was fully focused and did my best to get the win via submission. I look forward to my next fight.”

Zayed Al Hammadi, competing in the 48kg weight category, also secured a second-round victory with a rear choke. He praised the exceptional atmosphere of the tournament: “The championship represents an ideal preparation for the World Championships taking place in August in Abu Dhabi.

“My goal is to continue developing and growing to be fully prepared to compete for the world title.”