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About Us

UAEJJF
our passion
is our strength

With the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation was established in November 2012 as the official authority for Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE.

The Federation plays a leading role in supporting Jiu-Jitsu and contributing to building a strong generation of UAE athletes to excel at the local and international levels. The Federation’s role is to implement policies that develop the sport in collaboration with various government entities, educational institutions and other partners in order to advance the sport locally, regionally and globally.

Chairman’s message


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  • mission

  • Vision

  • Values

  • Strategic Goals

    The UAEJJF strives to:

  • Contribute to building a strong generation of athletes equipped with desire to maintain active, healthy lifestyles

  • Provision of a competitive environment and quality facilities to prepare athletes for international competition by following global best practices.

  • Grow the sport of jiu-jitsu along and promote the benefits of a healthy lifestyle through activities conducted by the UAEJJF.

  • Achieve athletic excellence through the establishment of effective partnerships locally, regionally, and internationally.

  • Manage human, technological/technical, and financial resources effectively

Jiu-Jitsu
and its Philosophy

The roots of Jiu-Jitsu date back to the dawn of human civilization, and it has become phenomenally popular in the hearts and minds of the martial arts community. Its philosophy is based on two pillars: the first is the use of mental strengthto gain an advantage over opponents. This will help not only in resisting strikes, but also in avoiding hostile situations and ultimately overcoming them. The second pillar is the use of unarmed combat to improve fitness levels, flexibility, self-discipline, focus and composure. This discipline and focus also helps in setting and achieving targets.

History and Origins

Jiu-Jitsu shares some common roots with other martial arts. India is the birthplace of the sport, and Buddhist monks developed and refined its features. They focused on balance and strength to limit the use of weapons that were used at the time.

It then found its way to China and Japan where it attracted a lot of attention, participation and popularity. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques are known as "The Gentle Way," and are based on the core values of loyalty, justice, morality, serenity, humility, honor, self-confidence and respect.

It then found its way to China and Japan where it attracted a lot of attention, participation and popularity. Japanese Jiu-Jitsu techniques are known as "The Gentle Way," and are based on the core values of loyalty, justice, morality, serenity, humility, honor, self-confidence and respect.

Despite the emergence of various martial arts like Aikido, Karate and Judo, Jiu-Jitsu retained the true spirit and values of the original art.

In 1915, a Japanese fighter named Mitsuyo Maeda gave Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations and exhibition fights that quickly popularized the sport in Brazil. He settled in Belém and helped new Japanese immigrants to settle in the community while also teaching Jiu-Jitsu. One of his best students was a teenager called Carlos Gracie - the son of Gastão Gracie, who was a business partner of the American Circus in Belém.

Carlos Gracie soon became renowned for his skill, defeating opponents who were physically stronger than him. In 1925 he opened the Gracie Jujitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro, the first academy of its kind, and helped to spread Maeda’s philosophy.

Between 1940-2004, the Gracie family won many tournaments against physically superior fighters. For the Gracies, Jiu-Jitsu was more than just a martial art; it was a way of life. They refined the techniques of Jiu-Jitsu into a national sport that became known as ‘Brazilian-Jiu Jitsu’ and is practiced by martial artists all over the world.

  • Jiu-Jitsu in UAE
  • Benefits
  • Belt System
  • Rules and regulations
  • Rules Of Conduct Athlete And
    Administrative Punishments

Jiu-Jitsu in UAE

  • His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Championing Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has demonstrated his commitment to making the UAE a center for Jiu-Jitsu by designating it as the UAE’s national sport. This strengthens the philosophy of “healthy mind, healthy body” which aims to make Abu Dhabi a health-conscious society...

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  • His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: Championing Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE

    His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan has demonstrated his commitment to making the UAE a center for Jiu-Jitsu by designating it as the UAE’s national sport. This strengthens the philosophy of “healthy mind, healthy body” which aims to make Abu Dhabi a health-conscious society.

    Read Full

Benefits

  • Jiu-Jitsu is a sport of the mind, body and soul. It has great benefits for the individual and the wider community

    Physical benefits

    • Promotes greater strength, flexibility, agility and stamina

    • Promotes weight loss

    • Reduces cholesterol and builds a stronger heart

    • Greater control of muscular and cardio-vascular health

    • Learning techniques in a structured environment

    • Improved blood circulation and reduced blood pressure

    • Builds a stronger immune system

    • Better balance, posture and graceful movements

    • Greater speed of mind-to-body coordination

    • Helps build more stable sleep patterns

  • Mental and Emotional Benefits

    • Builds self-confidence and self-esteem

    • Teaches patience and composure

    • Improves discipline and self-control

    • Better ability to multi-task

    • Enhances the ability to maintain concentration for long periods

    • Promotes willpower, perseverance, hard work and commitment

    • dignity and being humble

    • Promotes a motivational and upbeat spirit even after setbacks

    • A higher level of overall happiness

      • Social Benefits

    • Builds self-confidence and self-esteem

    • Teaches patience and composure

    • Improves discipline and self-control

    • Better ability to multi-task

    • Enhances the ability to maintain concentration for long periods

    • Promotes willpower, perseverance, hard work and commitment

    • dignity and being humble

    • Promotes a motivational and upbeat spirit even after setbacks

    • A higher level of overall happiness

Belt System

  • The color of the belt signifies the athlete’s technical knowledge and practical skills. Although there are no set standards that determine when a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner is ready for promotion to the next level, the instructor or the academy usually qualifies the student after rounds of tests. The belt color is determined by the coach or Academy / Technical Committee which the athlete is affiliated with.

    Young Athletes / Beginners

    White Belt

    This belt is the lowest ranking in Jiu-Jitsu. It signifies that the athlete is at beginner level and is yet to master advanced techniques, knowledge or experience of the sport.

    Gray Belt

    As the second level in Jiu-Jitsu, it signifies that the athlete has acquired the basics of Jiu-Jitsu. Athletes as young as 4-6 years can enter this classification in preparation to learn higher skills.

    Yellow Belt

    This level is for young people aged between 7-15 years. Athletes participate in the yellow belt category according to the rules of the International Federation of Jiu-Jitsu.

    Adult Athletes

    Blue Belt

    This belt bridges the gap between beginners’ level and intermediate level. A blue belt practitioner must acquire vast amounts of technical knowledge in all aspects of Jiu-Jitsu to implement the moves efficiently.

    The International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) requires that a practitioner be at least 16 years old to receive a blue belt.

    Purple Belt

    This is the intermediate adult ranking. The IBJJF requires that a student should be 16 years or older and have spent a minimum of two years as a blue belt to become eligible to receive a purple belt.

    Brown Belt

    Green Belt

    This is one of the first elite ranks, considered a level for refining techniques and practical skills rather than accumulating new ones. The IBJJF requires that a student be at least 18 years old and have spent a minimum of one and a half years ranked as a purple belt to be eligible to receive a brown belt.

    Black Belt

    This is the highest rank within the Jiu-Jitsu International Federation (JJIF). It denotes an expert level of technical and practical skill. The IBJJF requires that a student be at least 19 years old and have spent a minimum of one year ranked as a brown belt to be eligible to receive a black belt.

Rules and regulations

  • Jiu-Jitsu is a sport of the mind, body and soul. It has great benefits for the individual and the wider community

    Physical benefits

    Valid moves are those that seek to neutralize, immobilize, strangle and apply any kind of pressure on the twisting joints, as well as knocking down one’s opponent by a take-down.

    Non-valid moves that are considered illegal are: biting, hair pulling, sticking fingers in the eyes or nose of one’s opponent, striking the opponent’s genitalia, finger twisting, and any other move that gains unfair advantage with the use of one’s fists, feet, elbows or head.

    Competitions are the lifeline of the sport, but victory should never be obtained through unfair means.

    Ethical behavior is what gives the sport credibility and security, which are indispensable factors to our sport. Only through these valueshas the sport evolved into a spectacular international sport. Since we hope to be part of the greatest show on earth - the Olympics - we must stay focused on Jiu-Jitsu as a viable modern sport.

Rules Of Conduct Athlete And Administrative Punishments

    Disciplinary Infractions

  • When an athlete removes any part of the uniform or kimono when inside the competition area.

  • When an athlete does not wear shoes and walks barefoot within the competition area or in other areas where it is required to wear shoes.

  • When coaches or athletes in the audience use offensive language against members of staff or encourage other athletes or teammates to exhibit disrespectful behavior in the competition area.

  • When an athlete uses offensive language or gestures directed at the opponent, staff, crowd or referee whether inside or outside the competition area.

  • When an athlete disagrees with the referee decision or clearly demonstrates an unsportsmanlike attitude inside the competition area, such as by avoiding shaking the hand of their opponent or arguing with the referee

  • When an athlete demonstrates an undisciplined attitude and blocks or delays the competition flow.

  • When an athlete jumps over the barriers that separate the competition area and the public area to argue with staff or athletes.

  • When an athlete shows physical aggression to the opponent, referee or staff during the competition.

  • When an athlete competes in a different belt division to that of their current belt level.

  • When an athlete deliberately damages any equipment belonging to the UAEJJF or the local organization.

    • OBS: Negative actions or misbehavior not described in this item may be subject to administrative punishments to be defined according to UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee criteria.

    Disciplinary Sanctions

  • Written warning

  • Suspension

  • Exclusion

  • Fine

    • OBS: An athlete who violates one or more of the rules of conduct described in this item may receive administrative punishments to be defined according to UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee criteria.

    Applications

  • A written warning is applicable in the case of infractions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3

  • In the case of multiple infractions, the UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee can agree to progress the punishment to “suspension”

  • Suspension is applicable in the case of infractions 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0. In these cases, the athlete will be suspended at the time of the competition, accompanied by the withdrawal of any medal or title earned.

  • In the case of infractions 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6, the UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee can suspend the athlete for a period of one to three competitions

  • In the case of infractions 1.7, 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0, the UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee can suspend the athlete for a period of six months to three years and remove up to XXX ranking points from his team.

  • Exclusion is applicable in the case of infractions 1.8, 1.9 and 2.0. In these cases, the athlete will be excluded from all UAEJJF competitions indefinitely.

  • A fine is applicable to all infractions described at cap 1, starting from one time the competition registration price up to ten times the competition registration price, to be defined according to UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee criteria.

    • OBS: An athlete who violates one or more of the rules of conduct described in this item may receive administrative punishments to be defined according to UAEJJF Disciplinary Committee criteria.

    Notice

    After the decision, the Disciplinary Committee will inform the punished athlete by email, letter, phone call or personally. It is an athlete duty to keep his personal information updated on the UAEJJF system.

    If the athlete can not be successfully contacted, the committee will send the notification to the coach responsible for the athlete punished.

technical
our passion
is our strength

With the support and guidance of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation was established in November 2012 as the official authority for Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE.

The Federation plays a leading role in supporting Jiu-Jitsu and contributing to building a strong generation of UAE athletes to excel at the local and international levels. The Federation’s role is to implement policies that develop the sport in collaboration with various government entities, educational institutions and other partners in order to advance the sport locally, regionally and globally.

    • Abu Dhabi
      Sports TV

    • Abu Dhabi
      National Oil Company

    • Ministry Of Interior

    • Abu Dhabi
      Sports TV

  • Supporting Partner

    • Abu Dhabi
      National Oil Company

    • Ministry Of Interior

  • Gold Partners

    • The Department of Culture
      and Tourism – Abu Dhabi

    • Dolphin Energy

    • Dolphin Energy

    • Emirates Global Aluminium

    • Abu Dhabi Autonomous
      Systems Investments

  • Silver Partner

    • United Al Saqer Group L.L.C

  • Official Newspaper

    • Al- Ittihad Newspaper