Baniyas leads after the second round of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship in Fujairah Baniyas leads after the first day of the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship, round 2
Fujairah, United Arab Emirates – Second round Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed’s Jiu-Jitsu Championship (Gi) officially started on Friday at Zayed Sports Sophisticated IN Fujairahbringing together a enormous share of athletes competing in youth, adult and senior categories.
The opening day was full of intense action, during which clubs fought for the first points in the general classification. Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club after the first day of the competition, he emerged as the leader, however MOD United Arab Emirates secured second place and Al Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club closed the top three.
The championships continue to play a key role in expanding the sport around the world Arab Emiratesfocusing on athlete development and creating competitive opportunities for practitioners at all levels.
Yousef Abdullah Al BatranMember of the Management Board of sp United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federationhighlighted the growing influence of this sport throughout the country.
“What we see in this round reflects the continued advancement of jiu-jitsu in the UAE,” Al Batran said. “Competition is not narrow to the mat. Clubs, athletes and families play an significant role in building a forceful sports culture. The forceful family presence here shows how connected the community has become to sports.”
Al Batran also highlighted the variety of levels of competition present in the tournament.
“Juvenile athletes are developing rapidly, adult athletes are highly disciplined, and the champion categories bring valuable experience. This combination adds depth to the championships and strengthens the development path of athletes at every stage.”
Ribamar Santiagocoach Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Clubsaid this round is a key test for teams preparing for the rest of the season.
“This round allows us to assess how prepared the athletes are,” Santiago explained. “It’s not just about results, but about measuring performance and how well competitors adapt to different challenges. Organizing the championship in rounds encourages long-term planning because success depends on consistent performance throughout the season.”
The standout athletes of the day included: Zayed Al Shamsi With MOD Academywho won gold in brown belt for adults in the 56 kg category.
“Every match came down to petite details,” Al Shamsi said. “The final was all about time and control. This championship rewards consistency, so we are focused on maintaining performance and continuing to improve in each round.”
Organizers expect that the crowds will be even larger over the next two days, which will be partly due to, among others, “Award for supporting the family” initiative introduced by United Arab Emirates Jiu-Jitsu Federation as part World Jiu-Jitsu Awards in Abu Dhabi and Year of the Family campaign.
The initiative encourages families to attend events and support athletes throughout the season, and participation can be tracked via a QR code during the championships.
Ismael
Bonfim has been removed from the
Ultimate Fighting Championship roster.
Bonfim's UFC tenure ended after a loss to Francisco
Prado at
UFC Vegas 122 on Saturday. The Brazilian missed the non-title
lightweight limit by 7.5 pounds and forfeited 25% of his purse. He
then suffered a first-round technical knockout before being removed
from the roster.
Ismael Bonfim exits UFC with 2-5 record after third weight miss
and Francisco Prado TKO
This was Bonfim's third weight miss during his UFC tenure. He came
in 3.5 pounds overweight for a scheduled fight against Vinc Pichel
in 2023, prompting the bout's cancellation. Bonfim missed weight by
five pounds against Chris
Padilla last year and lost by knockout. He was finished in his
last four UFC appearances.
Before news of his departure, Bonfim posted a statement Sunday
reflecting on the loss. The 30-year-old thanked his supporters and
said his career was not over.
“Always grateful to God for life, health and every opportunity He
gives me,†Bonfim wrote on Instagram. “Everything doesn’t go as
planned, results don’t always come as desired, but my faith remains
unshakable. Because, above my plans, are God’s plans, and I choose
to trust, even when I don’t understand. Thank you to every person
cheering me on, praying for me and standing by my side no matter
the outcome. You are all part of my story! There are no excuses, no
shame, and much less reason to give up. We’ve come here the hardest
way, facing battles few know about, overcoming fears, breaking
barriers, and fighting against things that go far beyond what
happens inside an octagon. The result of a battle does not define
the value of a warrior, and defeat will never be able to erase the
entire history we have built. I keep my head held high, my heart at
peace and my faith even stronger. Because who knows where he came
from, everything he faced and how much he had to fight to get here,
doesn’t give up because of a result. My story doesn’t end here. God
is still writing the next chapters, and I trust Him completely. All
honor and all glory be given to God!â€
Bonfim earned a UFC contract on
Dana White's Contender Series in 2022 and won his promotional
debut with a flying knee knockout of Terrance
McKinney. He went 1-5 afterward, finishing his UFC tenure at
2-5.
Fighter sues Jake Paul, MVP for $10 million after traumatic brain injury
jai_herbert_mma on Instagram
UFC veteran Jai Herbert is rolling with the punches after a nice win over Matheus Camilo in Vegas last weekend.
Throughout the course of his tenure in the promotion, Jai Herbert has been able to pick up some pretty nice wins. Of course, he's also had his fair share of setbacks, but against Matheus Camilo on Saturday night, he made it two wins on the bounce.
RELATED: Jai Herbert expecting an “entertaining fight†and to “put on a show†against Fares Ziam at UFC London
Given the fact that he is now 38 years of age, many wouldn't have expected Jai Herbert to still be competing at this level considering some of the damage he's taken in the past. Alas, he continues to defy the odds in an impressive way.
After the fight, Jai Herbert spoke to reporters about his current approach to the MMA game.
Jai Herbert reflects on latest victory
“I feel good,†Herbert told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC Fight Night 290. “I don't really look (at my age). I'm just rolling with it. … Usually they have a fight the start of the year in London. But whatever. I like fighting on the road. I really enjoy. I fought in Winning in April. Now fought in Vegas. I'm just happy to get there and fight. I'm just taking it every day as it comes.â€
“He was loading up with the big shots and I knew that was going to end up draining him,†Herbert said. “Obviously I was tired too, but I imposed my will on him. I knew I was going to win, especially in that last round. I wanted to work harder and that's what I did.â€
Quotes via MMA Junkie
What's next for Herbert in the UFC? Is this one of the best wins he's had in his UFC run? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below, BJPENN Nation!
Michael Page has found his new combat sports home after a head-scratching UFC run.
Page was not re-signed by the UFC following his decision win over Nursulton Ruziboev at UFC Paris in September, improving his promotional record to 5-1. Despite being ranked in two different divisions, the UFC couldn't wait to let Page enter free agency, and this past Saturday, “MVP†was announced as the newest signing to Misfits Boxing for a multi-fight deal.
“Venom†spoke about his decision following the announcement, and couldn't be happier to express himself creatively, which he couldn't do in the UFC.
“To be fair, this one happened relatively quickly,†Page told The Stomping Ground. “We kind of didn't know as recent as three or four days back, it still wasn't 100 percent confirmed where we're going. But yeah, this makes sense.
“Like I said out there, I feel free of the shackles. I'm a very creative person — my walkouts, my entrances, my exits — and I wasn't allowed to do that. And I feel like here, they're literally like, â€Look, we want you to be yourself.“ That's going to help me be my best self.â€
While Page had success from a wins and losses perspective, his fights left a bit to be desired. But it seemed like the writing was on the wall almost immediately for Page's UFC run, as his signing was, essentially, a throwaway portion of a Dana White post-event press conference. Page's lone UFC loss came against Ian Machado Garry at UFC 303 in June 2024.
The 39-year-old knows more could've been accomplished in the UFC, but he's excited to put a fresh coat of paint on his next chapter of competition.
“For me, it's a shame,†Page explained. “I just feel like there's so much more the UFC could be doing for fighters. Regardless, whether you like them, hate them, they are the biggest combat show in terms of MMA. So you have to value them, there's some ridiculously talented fighters.
“But I went in there, and I was top-10 in two divisions, I was calling out everybody, wasn't getting any feedback. Again, [I] felt very restricted, so it's a shame because I felt like there was more fights, big fights that could be had. But here, I feel free. The big fights, the big names that are out there, that are away from other shows, it's all going to happen.â€