Abu Dhabi — The UAE Federation of Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts has completed all preparations for the seventh edition of the UAE National MMA Championships, which will be held on February 7-8 at Shabab Al Ahli Club in Dubai.
The championship will feature a robust line-up of male and female fighters representing top clubs and academies from across the country, as the national competition continues to play a key role in the rapid development of mixed martial arts in the UAE. Organizers also expect a dynamic family presence in the stands, reflecting the sport’s growing reach and growing community support across the country.
The UAE National MMA Championships, the highlight of the Federation’s annual calendar, provide athletes with consistent high-level competition while showcasing the ever-improving technical standards of MMA fighters across the Emirates.
The federation confirmed that the championships will feature comprehensive age categories, which will strengthen the long-term development path of athletes. Categories include youth D (ages 10-11), youth C (12-13 years), youth B (14-15 years), youth A (16-17 years) and an adult category for athletes aged 18 years and over.
HE Mohammed Bin Dalmouj Al Dhaheri, board member of the United Arab Emirates Federation of Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts, emphasized the importance of this event and its wider impact on the sport.
“The UAE National MMA Championship No. 7 demonstrates how much the sport has evolved in the UAE, with the growing commitment of clubs and academies to develop their fighters through organized preparations. The Federation continues to support this progress by providing regular competitions and training opportunities, guided by a clear plan to build robust national teams capable of competing internationally.
“The role that families play in supporting their sons and daughters from the stands is equally significant as it creates an environment where sporting passion is combined with family support. This is in line with the vision of the UAE leadership to declare 2026 the Year of the Family.”
With a robust organizational framework, broad participation and competitive intensity, the UAE National MMA Championship No. 7 further highlights the growing profile of mixed martial arts in the country and a structured pathway to educating the next generation of athletes capable of achieving success on the international stage.
Conor McGregor is backing his countryman to walk away after UFC 330 as the new UFC welterweight champion.
On Saturday, Ian Machado Garry challenges Islam Makhachev for the welterweight title in the main event of UFC 330. Garry is a sizable underdog against the top pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, with many people looking past Garry at what comes next for Makhachev, but Garry's fellow Irishman isn't one of them.
In a post to his Instagram, McGregor gave his prediction for Saturday's main event, saying Garry will pull off the upset.
“What's up, folks! The Mac here to give you my prediction for the Makhachev-Garry fight,†McGregor said. “Let's go Garry, you know it! He has the tools. He's been doing great work at SBG. He's long. He's definitely going to stay safe; he's definitely going to be in there.
“Makhachev has pockets where he does a lot of stalling. He still has things to prove in that welterweight division. He does look like he's grown up into it a bit more. It's a cracking contest. Of course I'm going with Ian Garry, and I really believe he can do it. For sure he can do it.â€
Aside from being countrymen with Garry, McGregor also has some history with Makhachev's team, and his infamous feud with Khabib Nurmagomedov. How much that might be weighing on McGregor's prediction is up for debate, but “Notorious†is convinced Garry not only wins, but gets the job done in style.
“How do I see it? Right high kick across the crown of the head, and a victory for the Irish-Brazilian,†McGregor said. “Let's go, Ian! Rooting for you, bro. Great scrap.
“What round? Late round. This goes late, folks. This goes late, this fight. Great fight, very much looking forward to it.â€
The welterweight champion successfully made weight for the first title defense of his second belt, coming in at 170 pounds at Friday's official weigh-ins for the main event of UFC 330 in Philadelphia. Opponent Ian Machado Garry also hit the mark at 170, making their title fight official.
Watch highlights of the official weigh-ins above.
Not only can Makhachev join the short list of fighters (Henry Cejudo, Daniel Cormier, Jon Jones, Amanda Nunes) to successfully defend UFC titles in two division, a 17th straight victory for the former lightweight champion will also break the legendary Anderson Silva's record for the most consecutive wins in UFC history.
Backup Michael Morales also successfully made weight at 170 pounds. Morales is available to step in for Makhachev or Garry in the event that they are unable to compete Saturday.
The UFC 330 co-main event also has gold on the line with Mackenzie Dern defending the strawweight title for the first time against Gillian Robertson. Both fighters hit championship weight at 115 pounds.
All 24 fighters weighing in for Saturday's event at Xfinity Mobile Arena successfully made weight, with only Chidi Njokuani having a close call on the scale. Njokuani initially weighed in at 171.5 pounds, 0.5 pounds over the welterweight limit, but it wasn't long before he returned for a second attempt behind a curtain and made 171 (utilizing the one-pound allowance for a non-title fight).
Check out UFC 330 weigh-in results below.
Main Card (Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET)
Islam Makhachev (170) vs. Ian Machado Garry (170)
Mackenzie Dern (115) vs. Gillian Robertson (115)
Jalin Turner (156) vs. Kaue Fernandes (156)
Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185)
Edson Barboza (156) vs. Esteban Ribovics (156)
Preliminary Card (Paramount+ at 7 p.m. ET)
Chidi Njokuani (171)* vs. Joel Alvarez (171)
Charles Johnson (129.5) vs. Eduardo Chapolin (129.5) — 130-pound catchweight bout
Donte Johnson (184.5) vs. Eric McConico (186)
Vicente Luque (186) vs. Tresean Gore (186)
Early Prelims (Paramount+ at 5:30 p.m. ET)
Rafael Tobias (204) vs. Lucas Fernando (205)
Neil Magny (171) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (170)
Myktybek Orolbai (170.5) vs. Jeremiah Wells (171)
Main event backup: Michael Morales (170)
*Njokuani missed weight on first attempt (171.5), but successfully made weight on second attempt
At the UFC 330 weigh-ins, all 24 fighters on Saturday's UFC fight card step on the scale Friday morning in Philadelphia. Watch full highlights of the official weigh-ins above.
In the main event, MMA Fighting's No. 1 Pound-for-Pound fighter Islam Makhachev goes for the first defense of his welterweight title as he takes on challenger Ian Machado Garry. Makhachev looks for another championship victory after previously defending the lightweight title a UFC record four consecutive times, while Garry brings a 10-1 UFC record into the contest.
Both fighters need to weigh 170 pounds or less for the title fight.
In the co-main event, strawweight champion Mackenzie Dern defends her belt against Gillian Robertson. Dern won a vacant title in the absence of Zhang Weili with a unanimous decision win over Virna Jandiroba at UFC 321 and she can strengthen her claim to being the true 115-pound champion with a win over Robertson, who can become the first Canadian woman ever to win UFC gold.
Both fighters need to weigh 115 pounds or less for the title fight.
Watch MMA Fighting's weigh-in highlights from the championship bouts below.
The UFC 330 official weigh-ins kick off above at 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT.
The UFC 330 ceremonial weigh-ins will be at 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT.
Check out UFC 330 weigh-in results below.
Main Card (Paramount+ at 9 p.m. ET)
Islam Makhachev (170) vs. Ian Machado Garry (170)
Mackenzie Dern (115) vs. Gillian Robertson (115)
Jalin Turner (156) vs. Kaue Fernandes (156)
Mansur Abdul-Malik (186) vs. Dustin Stoltzfus (185)
Edson Barboza (156) vs. Esteban Ribovics (156)
Preliminary Card (Paramount+ at 7 p.m. ET)
Chidi Njokuani (171)* vs. Joel Alvarez (171)
Charles Johnson (129.5) vs. Eduardo Chapolin (129.5) — 130-pound catchweight bout
Donte Johnson (184.5) vs. Eric McConico (186)
Vicente Luque (186) vs. Tresean Gore (186)
Early Prelims (Paramount+ at 5:30 p.m. ET)
Rafael Tobias (204) vs. Lucas Fernando (205)
Neil Magny (171) vs. Ramiz Brahimaj (170)
Myktybek Orolbai (170.5) vs. Jeremiah Wells (171)
Main event backup: Michael Morales (170)
*Njokuani missed weight on first attempt (171.5), but successfully made weight on second attempt