The 2023 IMMAF Youth World Championships will take place under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council.
The event will take place from August 2-5 at the iconic Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, Abu Dhabi, for the second year in a row, as part of a three-year hosting rights agreement between IMMAF and UAE Jiu-Jitsu and MMA Federation.
IMMAF President Kerrith Brown commented on the groundbreaking impact of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan’s patronage of the 2023 IMMAF Youth World Championships:
“We’re honoured to confirm the 2023 IMMAF Youth World Championships will be under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This elevates our flagship youth event and provides an even bigger spotlight on youth development through MMA in the United Arab Emirates and wider Asian continent.”
The championships will once again transform Abu Dhabi into a destination for hundreds of mixed martial arts athletes from 46 countries, competing in three different categories. Taking place over the course of four days, the next generation of upcoming MMA athletes will compete under the IMMAF Youth MMA Rules for 12 to 13-year-olds (Youth C), 14 to 15-year-olds (Youth B) and 16 to 17-year-olds (Youth A).
His Excellency Abdel Moneim Al-Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, expressed his gratitude to His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan for his support, stating:
“The remarkable organizational success of last year’s IMMAF Youth World Championships, along with Abu Dhabi’s ongoing preparations to host the second and third editions of the event in 2023 and 2024, demonstrates the unwavering confidence placed in Abu Dhabi by the IMMAF. It also highlights Abu Dhabi’s exceptional organisational capabilities, which have resulted in a series of achievements.
“Over the past two decades, Abu Dhabi has solidified its position as a leading destination for martial arts events by hosting numerous prestigious tournaments across various disciplines. These tournaments have attracted thousands of renowned athletes, stars, and influential figures from around the world.”
His Excellency Mohammed bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, Member of the Board of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Federation, and Chairman of the Mixed Martial Arts Committee, also emphasised the impact that the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has had in regards to providing all the necessary elements for Abu Dhabi’s success as a host city for the IMMAF Youth World Championships:
“With less than a month remaining until the highly anticipated launch of the MMA Youth World Championship, the organising committee is diligently putting the finishing touches on the preparations for one of the largest international martial arts events this summer. The upcoming edition promises to be exceptional in every aspect, thanks to the tremendous efforts exerted by our dedicated team and partners. With the support of the UAE’s leadership, we are committed to delivering a championship that truly reflects Abu Dhabi’s global standing as a premier sports destination, attracting fans from around the world.”
The 2023 IMMAF Youth World Championships will witness strong participation from the UAE national team, which is taking part in the competition for the second time. Nearly 50 athletes will represent the nation, in front of MMA enthusiasts from all around the globe.
