The second leg of the tour will be held in Los Angeles in October

Abu Dhabi, UAE, 12 October, 2015: Some of the best Jiu-jitsu fighters from across the globe are preparing to battle it out at the second leg of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam, which is set to take place in the United States next week.

The UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation (UAEJJF), the official authority for Jiu-jitsu in the United Arab Emirates, has announced that the latest leg of the tournament will kick off on 18 October 2015, at Azusa Pacific University, Los Angeles, California in the United States.

The tournament will highlight the UAEJJF’s growing profile as the facilitator for international sport, and Abu Dhabi’s status as the ‘world capital’ for jiu-jitsu.
This landmark event in the history of international jiu-jitsu represents a new start for the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation towards professional and international fame, while creating a new sports market through jiu-jitsu.

Commenting on the launch, His Excellency Abdulmunam Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation said, “Jiu-jitsu is all about technique, not size, which is one of the reasons why it is such a thrilling and entertaining sport to watch. We are extremely proud of our UAE fighters, who have put a lot of hard work and dedication into their sport.

“This is a highly competitive sport and all of the fighters in the tournament have made a lot of sacrifices to get to where they are today. Spectators witnessed some thrilling entertainment in Tokyo and the LA tournament will certainly not disappoint. I wish all fighters the best of luck.”
International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) is of one of the main sponsors of the event.

His Excellency Suhail Mohammed Al Mazroui, Managing Director of IPIC, said: “We are proud to be the official partner of the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation and we look forward to the next leg of the tour. It promises to be a truly explosive, nail-biting night of fighting action and I would like to wish all competitors well.”
UAEJJF’s other partners include Abu Dhabi Media, the official broadcaster of the tournaments locally, regionally and globally, as well as Etihad Airways.

Etihad Airways’ Senior Vice President Corporate and International Affairs Hareb Mubarak Al Muhairy, said: “Etihad Airways is very honored to have been an official partner with the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation for the past few years and even more so to be partnered yet again with the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation for the next 2 seasons as part of our increased support to the federation. Our dedication to this sport, its participants, and its organisers is a crucial link in our overall commitment to promoting local initiatives lead by federations across the UAE and is in line with our goal to promote the UAE as a global and international destination.

“Etihad Airways is thankful to the UAE Jiu-jitsu Federation for continuing this partnership journey, and we look forward to doing what we do best; welcome our Guests on board our award winning airline and offering the best locally inspired journey to and from our home, the UAE.”
The UAE national Jiu-jitsu team, which is currently training in Los Angeles, has a strong lineup of fighters who will compete in the blue, brown, black, white and purple categories.

The team comprises Ibraheem Alnaqbi (94kg), Faisal Al Ketbi (94kg), Ali Al Darai (77kg), Mohameed Al Qubaisi (77kg), Saoud Al Hammadi (85kg), Ahmed Ibrahim Murad (94kg), Nasser Albraiki (77kg), Saeed  Ali Al Al Shamsi (69kg), Zayed Al Mansoori (62kg), Saif Alqubaisi Khalfan (77kg), and Hamdan Ahmed Al Blooshi (85kg)

Returning fighters who fought in the Tokyo tournament include the black belt open weight champion Erberth Santos as well as Clark Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Tiago Bravo, Paulo Miyao, Faisal Alketbi, Marina Ribeiro and Lucio ''Lagarto’’ Rodrigues.

The new top confirmed competitors, meanwhile, include the open weight world champion Mackenzie Dern, Roberto ‘’Cyborg'', Jackson Souza, Marcio Andre, Nivaldo Lima, Tanner Rice and James Puopolo.

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.
Fighters who clear the weigh-ins on the first two counts are exempt from the normal weight-in. Kimono checks will also be held at the event, with only black, white and blue Gis permitted during the competition.

The tournament will have an opening ceremony with white, blue, purple, brown and black belt matches as well as an awards ceremony, which will also be held on the day.
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 open weight, 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 40 points. The second-place winner will receive 20 points and the third-place winner will receive 10 points. In the open weight category, the first-place winner will receive 60 points, while the second-place winner will get 30 points. The third-place winner will receive 15 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 UAEJJF World Rankings 2015-2016 for the black belt adult category are Erberth De Mesquita, who picked up two gold medals and racked up 100 points overall, Paulo Miyao, who earned 52 points overall after winning two gold medals, Rodrigo Caporal, who won both silver and bronze medals earning him 40 points overall, Roberto Satoshi De Souza, who won a single gold medal and currently has 40 points, Gregor Gracie, Clark Gracie and Tomoyuki Hashmito who each have 40 points overall after winning single gold medals and Lucio Rodrigues, who won a silver medal and two bronze medals earning him 37 points overall.