The Middle East recently witnessed an impressive milestone in the world of submission grappling, as the ADCC Middle East Open took place at the Qadsia Sporting Club in Kuwait. This groundbreaking event not only attracted a diverse range of participants from over 50 countries but also became the first submission grappling event in the region to be live-streamed on U.F.C. Fight Pass, the largest martial arts streaming service worldwide.
Organized by Fawaz AlHazim and Dhari AlJanahi of Kuwait Protocol Group, the ADCC Middle East Open garnered immense attention and proved to be a massive success. Within a week, all tickets were sold out, and over 516 competitors eagerly took part in the event. This number significantly surpassed the previous year's attendance at the Kuwait Open, which drew 351 participants from over 30 countries. Together, these two events brought together a staggering total of 867 competitors within just nine months, a remarkable achievement for the region.
Tom DeBlass, a prominent figure in the grappling community, played a crucial role in introducing AlHazim to ADCC back in 2019. Following the ADCC Middle East Open, DeBlass shared his excitement on Instagram, stating, 'History made.' This further emphasizes the significance of the event and its impact on the global grappling scene.
The origins of the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) can be traced back to 1998 when Sheik Tahnoun Bin Zayed Al Nahyan founded the organization. Martial arts have always had a strong following in the Middle East, as demonstrated by a 2019 survey conducted by YouGov and published in Arab News. The survey revealed that a remarkable 86% of respondents in the region expressed an interest in martial arts, irrespective of age.
The ADCC Middle East Open catered to participants of all ages and skill levels, encompassing divisions ranging from kids to professionals. The professional division alone offered more than $10,000 in prize money, making it the highest payout for an ADCC event in the Middle East. Matches were intense and fast-paced, with each competition lasting between 5 to 6 minutes.
In addition to ticket sales, AlHazim and AlJanahi secured partnerships with major regional organizations such as Ooredoo, a multinational telecommunications provider, the Dojo Gym, Kuwait's largest martial arts gym for children, Caracal Sports, one of the leading BJJ brands in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait's Ministry of Interior, S.S.F. Training Center, and Kuwait Special Forces led by General Dekheel Al-Dekheel. These collaborations further contributed to the success and impact of the event.
Notable participants from across the globe graced the ADCC Middle East Open, including renowned grapplers such as Eoghan O'Flanagan, Diego Salomao, Marcin Bandel, Matheus Felipe, and Abdulmalik. O'Flanagan competed alongside 30 grapplers in the -91kg and absolute divisions, while other distinguished figures from the grappling world were also present.
Diego Salomao, the two-time ADCC Brazil Trials winner, former U.F.C. athlete Marcin Bandel, O.N.E. F.C. two-time ADCC Opens winner Matheus Felipe, and NCAA wrestling champion Abdulmalik are just a few examples of the caliber of competitors who showcased their skills at the event.
The ADCC Middle East Open stands as a testament to the global reach and growing popularity of grappling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The event's immense success, measured not only by the quality and diversity of competitors but also by the rapid ticket sales, highlights the passion and dedication that exists within the Middle East's martial arts community. As this groundbreaking event gains recognition, it paves the way for even greater growth and participation in the future, further solidifying the Middle East as a prominent hub for submission grappling.
